Jalakara

Style

Jungle book

Setting

Isolated Indian isle

Barefoot and boutique Jalakara hotel is a rustic rainforest retreat in India’s Andaman Islands. There are just seven rooms, each of which is completely different, a small spa and a lively pool scene. Its British owner liked it here in the middle of nowhere so much, he decided to stick around and share his patch of paradise. Those who voyage to Havelock Island (and it’s not a swift trip) are rewarded with a secluded jungle setting, views out to sea and a total digital detox – there’s very limited WiFi and fancy flatscreen TVs are replaced with projectors and DVDs rolled out on request.

Facilities

Rooms

Seven, including four suites.

Checkout

11am, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm, also flexible if possible.

More Details

Rates include breakfast. There’s a three-night minimum… but you wouldn’t want to make the journey for fewer, anyway.

Also

The hillside, step-covered set-up makes wheelchair access tricky.

Hotel Closed

1 June to 30 September annually.

Laundry

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

Spa

At the Hotel

In rooms: air-conditioning, tea- and coffee-making facilities, free filtered water, kimonos to borrow and Ayca bath products. All suites have a fridge.

Our Favourite Rooms

The Garden Suite gets our vote mostly for its peaceful green space, but we also rate its antique Indian furniture, high ceilings and bracing indoor-outdoor bathroom. Families or honeymooners will enjoy the bold, breezy proportions of the Jalakara Villa, which has a pleasing amount of glossy teak, a hammock on the (teak) deck, an infinity-edged copper plunge pool and a super-king-size bed. Tall people should book into one of the double-height Sunset Suites.

Poolside

There’s an outdoor pool on the main (rainforest-facing) terrace, which has a fancy French filtration system and a low chlorine level.

Spa

The spa offers traditional Indian head massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, Thai yoga massage, Ayurvedic rituals and facials. Private yoga lessons can be arranged on request.

Packing Tips

Bring breathable fabrics, dehumidifying shampoo and insect repellent: this is the rainforest and it’s really hard to look good.

Also

This is the place to do a digital detox: there’s only WiFi at reception and in the main lounge, and a boxset binge will require staff setting up a projector in your room and bringing along some DVDs for you to browse.

Children

All ages welcome, but the hotel is not especially suited to children due to the steep hillside setting (it’s not exactly prime pram-navigating territory). Babysitting and monitors can be arranged with plenty of notice (ie: when booking).

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

At the edge of the terrace for prime island views.

Dress Code

Barefoot and bird motifs (to match the avian-themed ceiling display).

Hotel Restaurant

The hotel breakfast, served on the open-air dining terrace, gets off to a wholesome start with an in-season-fruit salad and a turmeric smoothie, followed by eggs, granola, pancakes, Andaman fishcakes or Welsh rarebit. The menu is designed by the hotel’s British chef-proprietor, with a focus on Andaman provenance (mostly: tropical produce and super-fresh seafood) and a few Thai touches. Expect dishes such as papaya and coconut curry, spiny lobster with hollandaise, and sugar-cured tiger prawns, with daily-changing seasonal suggestions.

Hotel Bar

Those on the wagon will love the list of freshly squeezed juices, coconut water and seasonal smoothies at the poolside bar, which also pours stronger tipples.

Last Orders

Breakfast is served between 7am and 9.45am. Lunch is between noon and 3pm. Dinner is from 6pm until 9.30pm.

Planes

The closest airport is Port Blair on South Andaman, two hours away from the hotel. Transfers can be arranged for 6,500 rupees for the lead passenger and an additional 5,000 rupees for each additional passenger. Daily direct flights land at Port Blair from various major cities across India, including Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai. The last scheduled boats of the day leave Port Blair for Havelock at 2pm, so be sure to book a flight that lands before noon. On the return leg, book a flight back to the Indian mainland that departs after 2pm, otherwise you’ll need to book an overnight stay in Port Blair for the early start.

Automobiles

It’s advisable to make use of the hotel transfer service from Port Blair’s airport onwards to Havelock Island. A driver will meet you at the airport to whisk you to the jetty half an hour away, and provide ferry tickets for the 15-minute ride to Havelock. Private boat transfers can be arranged depending on availability.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

The hotel is within a short drive or cycle of the island’s best beaches. Impatient guests will be pleased to know that the closest patch of sand is a five-minute drive (or 25-minute) walk from the hotel. Other popular activities include snorkelling, scuba-diving, boat rides, night kayaking in the mangroves, deep-sea fishing and rainforest treks. The hotel can also arrange cooking classes. Head to Radhanagar Beach, a sweeping, white-sand shoreline that’s a 15-minute scenic spin through the rainforest away. It’s widely proclaimed as the best beach in Asia. Don’t miss a trip to the neighbouring village for a real taste of islander life in the Bay of Bengal.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .