TLFinds: 36 Palms Beach Resort, A Seaside Retreat in Cherai, Kerala

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TL Finds: 36 Palms Beach Resort, A Seaside Retreat in Cherai, Kerala

Travel + Leisure India & South Asia brings to you #TLFinds—that will get you a sneak peek into either new or interesting places and experiences across the country and abroad every week—for travellers to discover. The next in the series is 36 Palms Beach Resort, a seaside property in the laidback beach town of Cherai, roughly an hour away from Kochi. Text by Adila Matra

What is it?

A 10-key resort in Cherai offering a private beach and Ayurvedic spa.

Ideal for

Girl trips and wellness vacations

36 Palms Boutique Retreat — The seaside property lies in Cherai, in the Ernakulam district of Kerala.

Review

The sea was roaring when my girlfriends and I arrived at 36 Palms Beach Resort, a hidden gem in the coastal town of Cherai, in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. Out of all the resorts that line the beach road in Cherai, 36 Palms stands out with its traditional architecture reminiscent of old ancestral houses in Kerala. The 10-key property has garden-view and sea-view rooms. All of them are individually styled; while the Standard Twin Palm Room sport Kerala murals, the Antique Room is decorated with old-timey trinkets. We chose the Panoramic Sea View King Room with wall-length windows that open to the sea.

Since it was the peak of monsoon, the waves crashed against the deck outside the window spraying us with salty mist. Apart from the poolside terrace, meals are also served on the deck. For lunch, we gorged on a variety of seafood—from squid to prawns to kingfish. The loungers on the deck are perfect for an afternoon siesta. When the tide retreats, one can walk down the steps from the deck to the private beach for a swim. We decided to jump into the infinity pool that appears to flow into the Arabian Sea below; we splashed around and watched the sun sink into the sea.

36 Palms Beach Resort also has an onsite spa offering traditional Ayurvedic treatments. From a classic herbal facial and back massage to Nasyam (aimed at purifying the head region and nasal passages thereby eliminating headaches, migraine, and sinus related ailments) and Thakra Dhara (a procedure that involves pouring medicated buttermilk over a patient’s forehead), there is a variety of treatments to choose from. The resort also organises yoga and Ayurvedic retreats, and most of these packages also include village walks, Satvik cooking classes, and bicycle rides.

My girls and I spent our weekend lazing around on the deck. We walked barefoot on the sand and curled up on the patio swing with a book. At night, the rumble of the waves lulled us to sleep, and when it was time to leave, we felt lighthearted and gratified. 36 Palms Beach Resort had impelled us to find joy in the little things.