Blackberry Hills Munnar Nature Resort & Spa

The greenery, the peaceful surroundings and the staff

None

The staff were exceptionally courageous and helpful

The setting is the star. The views and landscape are breathtaking, and the resort's placement is exceptional—remote and quiet, surrounded by birdsong —making it a genuinely restful place. You're not stranded either: a rickshaw will take you to the surrounding area for walks, village visits and tea plantations. I stayed in a Valley Facing Suite with Bathtub, and it was excellent — very spacious, thoughtfully decorated with furniture and art that felt considered rather than generic, a good layout with its own eating area, a very large bathroom with a superb, roomy shower, and a private balcony that was a lovely place to sit and do nothing. The food was delicious and plentiful, and breakfast was good too. The staff was genuinely helpful and clearly aiming for excellence — they arranged my transfer from the airport and onward to my next destination, which I really appreciated. I tried the yoga and booked the guided half-day hike up a local mountain (extra cost), and that was one of the highlights of my whole trip in Munnar. I also had a massage at the spa, and they accommodated a fairly last-minute request. The estate's commitment to eco practices and sustainability is real and visible, not just marketing—down to the soaps in the room, made by a local factory with a mostly female workforce. I liked them enough to buy a few from reception to bring home.

Humidity was the main issue — you could feel it in the furnishings. A dehumidifier was provided, but it wasn't really big enough for the room. Worth knowing given the climate up there. The bathtub also looked heavily used, to the point of appearing damaged and in need of replacement. I didn't use it. Given the room is sold as a suite with a bathtub, that's worth mentioning. The last thing is the terrain. The estate is built down a steep slope. The staff carry your luggage, and there's a buggy that will take you down to a lower level, with some rooms reached directly from that road — so it's not as if nothing has been done. But most facilities, including the restaurant and the pool, sit on the lowest levels, which means going down several flights of steps and back up each time. That terrain is exactly what makes the setting so beautiful, but the resort won't suit everyone, and I'd think carefully about whether anyone in your party has mobility difficulties.

Wonderful duning room with good service and good menu. Food was excellent. Breakfast also very acceptable. Swimming pool location and views were great away from very busy and rather overdeveloping town centre with noisy road widening.

Excellent services from front of house staff having to do their best to satisfy customers who are rightfully disappointed by the poor condition of the accommodation which really lets down the resort. See photos!!