Jalakara
Havelock Island

In the glistening blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, lies The Andaman Islands. Fringed with powder white sand and strewn with coconut palm trees, the archipelago promises the ultimate tropical getaway. Over the years they have become increasingly popular and are more accessible now than ever with direct flights from Port Blair to Chennai.

What’s more, the boutique hotel Jalakara on Havelock Island is a destination in itself. An architecturally stunning ‘villa-hotel’ surrounded by lush rainforest, the concept is to have the individuality, privacy and exclusivity of a private villa with the services of a hotel - and that, it does!

All the 7 rooms are unique, and the beautiful interior design is evocative of a tropical escape with a bright colour scheme tastefully offsetting the traditional exposed wooden beams. Plenty of generous living space is provided both inside and outside and other amenities include air conditioning and Ayca bath products. Choose between the architecturally-interesting ‘Design Rooms’, the spacious ‘Sunset Suites’ with trendy concrete walls and the scenic ‘Garden Suite’, which is home to antique colonial furniture. For families, we recommend staying in the ‘Jalakara Villa’ as it makes for the perfect retreat and offers complete privacy.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the hotel is its ozone infinity pool, which is without a doubt an ideal spot to rest and sunbathe as well as take a cooling dip when needed. If you are after more relaxing treatments, take advantage of the on-site peaceful spa. Morning yoga classes are available here, as are a number of massage treatments and aromatherapy sessions. For a livelier pace, we recommend visiting nearby beaches and markets, as well as island hopping with the help of friendly hotel staff. A huge plus of this hotel is that it enables its guests to dive and snorkel in some of the best spots on the island – namely, Elephant beach, Turtle Beach and Nemo Reef.

Cuisine at the dining area and lounge bar is exceptional, and is overseen by Jalakara's owner and British chef, Marko Hill. Fresh seafood of the Andaman Islands is served at dinner every night, including the hotel’s signature three-way papaya and coconut curry, spiny lobster platter with nimbu hollandaise and sugar-cured tiger prawns.

Jalakara is one of the most blissful hotels on tropical Havelock Island and is suitable for both couples and families - we guarantee that you will want to keep going back again and again for more!

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson