Unspoilt and miraculously unexplored, Poovar Island in Southern Kerala is surrounded by serene backwaters which open out into the sea. It is on this dream golden beach, that the Floatels group has launched Poovar Ayurvedic Village, a new and exclusive Ayurvedic hub adjacent to its property, Poovar Island Resort. The new Ayurvedic resort has 76 cottages, a large treatment block with yoga, mediation and relaxation area, swimming pool and restaurant.
Speaking to Mr. Ravisankar K.V. Managing Editor, Kerala Tourism magazine, Mr. Kabir Khader, Chairman of the Floatel group said, “This concept of a ‘resort within a resort’ is a new one.
“We are mainly focusing on high-end long staying guests. Our guests are those who are very knowledgeable about the spas and wellness treatments,” he said.
Though the soft launch of Poovar Ayurvedic Village actually took place during the time of the global recession, the resort is doing well and has had a good season.
The Floatel group was very environment conscious and has adopted environment friendly technology in its properties. It is also setting an example for others to follow. “All our rooms at Poovar have natural air circulation and allow sunlight to filter in. We are very concerned about the conservation of our natural resources and are striving to be torch bearers to find ways to deal with the effects of global warming on the tourism industry of India and especially of Kerala. We developed a unique sewage treatment plan and now many resorts in the Asia Pacific region have begun using the same technology. We give expert advice and help in implementation of modern eco-friendly waste treatment plants,” said Mr. M.R. Narayanan, Managing Director the Floatels Group.
The canteen uses bio-gas produced from kitchen waste. The resort also has a waste segregation area and a rainwater harvesting facility.
Power from the solar energy, air-conditioning provided by the wind and curtains of medicinal plants are some of the higlights. Materials like wood and thatch from the coconut palms and the medicinal herb ‘Ramaccham’, famed for its curative properties are extensively used as construction material.
Poovar Ayurvedic Village also has the biggest spa in Kerala with consultation room, for all treatment rooms, therapy area, beautiful open gardens, bathroom and other facilities.
The total area of the spa is spread across 6 acres, with the spa alone occupying 2.5 acres. “Our guests are very happy with the facilities and most of them are keen to return during the next season”, says Mr. Rex Narayan Pillai, Manager, Operations, Poovar Ayurvedic Village. “We already have Green Leaf Certification of the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala and a well-maintained herbal garden,” he added. The weight reduction programme is also quite successful as a person can reduce up to 10 to 15 kilos within a week without starving, he says!
“We are presently refurbishing the existing Poovar Island Resort and it will have more modern amenities, said Mr. Khader. “We are on an expansion mode this year. The Floatels group also has a joint venture project coming up in 20 acres of backwater frontage area in an exclusive island near Cochin. Our new high-end luxury resort named Heritance Cochin will be open by end of 2011. The resort will be managed and marketed by Aitken Spence Hotels and Resorts, one of the leading hotel companies in Sri Lanka.”
“We are planning 50 luxury cottages and a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic resort in the initial stage in the price range of US$ 300-400 for a cottage per day”, said the Floatels group Chairman.
The group has two business hotels in Thiruvananthapuram city - Grand Central located and Grand Park near Statue junction.

Contact:
Tel.: + 91 471 2212068, 69, 73
E-mail - reservations@poovarislandresort.com


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