This New Lakefront Resort in India Is Absolutely Breathtaking — With a Floating Restaurant, Plunge-pool Villas, and a One-bedroom Houseboat

The Leela just opened its second hotel in Kerala, with 93 elegant accommodations.

After the debut of its first resort in India's Kerala province, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts just opened a second hotel in the area. The Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel, welcomed its first guests this summer, with 93 elegant accommodations, a floating restaurant, and an Ayurvedic spa.

"The Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel, perfectly complements The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel, and builds on the brand's presence in the coastal state — with the two resorts offering very distinctive and unique backwater and beach experiences," Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, told Travel + Leisure.

Sitting on the banks of the serene Ashtamudi Lake, the 60-acre resort has beautifully designed guest rooms with custom-made toiletries that use natural essential oils and spacious balconies with lake views. On property, there's also two 200-year-old cottages, set among lush greenery and swaying palms, with wrap-around porches and private pools; and a one-bedroom houseboat with an open-air lounge, viewing deck, personal chef, and captain.

A floating restaurant, serving fresh seafood and stunning sunset views, is just one of four restaurants at the resort; the other three serve local Kerala cuisine.

Like its sibling property, which is about 50 miles south, The Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel, treats guests to Ayurvedic treatments with natural ingredients and herbs to detoxify and improve well-being. And of course, those who'd like to soak up the sun can do so by the spectacular outdoor pool enveloped in greenery.

You can book your stay at The Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel, at theleela.com. Rooms start at $258 a night.

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