Jalakara
The much anticipated Jalakara has opened its doors to a handful of guests, tucked amid tropical rainforest on Havelock Island in the simply stunning Andaman Islands.
There are just six Suites and a Villa at Jalakara, with the hotel aiming to offer the individuality and privacy of villa rentals, but with the additional services and facilities of a bohemian boutique hotel. Each of the rooms is individually designed and contemporary in style, with polished concrete or whitewashed walls. Interiors are design-focused, and feature pieces collected from all over India, as well as antique furniture and vintage art prints.
The Sunset Suites each feature sliding glass doors opening out to a private verandah, with glimpses of the ocean, whilst the Garden Suite boasts a private garden with daybed pavilion. The Tower Room has stairs leading to a private rooftop garden, where days can be whiled away on sun loungers, enjoying a 360 degree view of the rainforest canopy and distant islands. The single Jalakara Villa is the ultimate hideaway, boasting a private kitchen, yoga deck, garden, infinity plunge pool, film projector, and giant hammocks.
Facilities at the hotel include an infinity pool with rainforest view, massage suite, dining area and lounge bar. Jalakara is not located on a beachfront, choosing a secluded rainforest hideaway instead. However for the beach lovers, guests of Jalakara are able to relax on the stunning Radhanagar Beach, and use the facilities of the Barefoot Jungle Resort which is just a 15 minute drive away.
Why We Love It
The Jalakara team offer an innovative Beach Butler service, whereby they can set up a 'pop up' beach club at any beach on Havelock island, or surrounding uninhabited islands. Perfection.
Barefoot at Havelock
Situated at the end of what was once voted the 'best beach in Asia', Barefoot at Havelock is one of the finest hotels in the Andamans.
There are just 19 elegant wooden cottages and villas with en suite bathrooms built using indigenous materials in keeping with the resort's impressive eco-credentials.
There is the choice of either Indian or European dishes at the restaurant, and as we often advise in more remote locations, it's probably best to stick to the local cuisine, including the excellent fresh seafood.
The most popular activity from the hotel is diving, and the team at Barefoot Scuba is the best in the islands, arranging trips to several superb local sites, including extensive coral and wreck dives, in the nearby Ritchie's Archipelago and around Neil and Long Islands.
Other activities on offer include snorkelling, guided nature walks, fishing and kayaking and for the green-minded, beach clean up walks.
Why We Love It
Barefoot is the only hotel located on 'Beach #7' - named the best beach in Asia by TIME magazine.