For meditative views of grassy peaks

Sinna Dorai’s Bungalow-Kadamane

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Sinna Dorai’s Bungalow-Kadamane

Near

Mangalore

, Karnataka

, India

The architecture and décor of this colonial bungalow is a reflection of plantation homes from late 19th century when vast areas of the Western Ghats were cleared to make way for planting spices, coffee and eventually tea. This led to the building of colonial bungalows for the planters, their managers and families.

The three Sinna Dorai’s bungalows (in Anamallais, Mangorange & Kadamane) are examples of such bungalows; clusters of residences named after the assistant managers (‘Sinna Dorai’ in the local parlance) of the tea plantation.

High ceilings, sprawling spaces, fireplaces in the rooms, well-preserved vintage furniture, wide open verandas to enjoy the green surrounds and manicure gardens, stone walls and ample use of wood give the characterful look and feel to the bungalow till date.

The Sinna Dorai’s bungalows are easily accessible from both Bengaluru and Kochi and combine well with other properties like Malabar Escapes as well Pepper Trail in Wayanad and Dvara Siruvani in Coimbatore to form part of a longer Southern India exploration.

Our Rating: Mid-Range

Property Type: Plantation

Destination

The Myddleton family were the first recorded owners of Kadamane Estate. They attempted to grow cardamom, pepper and later coffee, all with little success. The property was hence sold to the Earl of Warwick and was intended to be used as his hunting grounds. But it never was, nor did the Earl ever visit. His agent, a Mr. Edge, was given the responsibility of selling the property, which he successfully did on the 26th July 1927 to Tea Estates India Ltd. The new owners began clearing the forests and planting tea. The Kadamane bungalow (Kadu meaning forest; Mane meaning house) was built in 1930 as a twin house for the two Sinna Dorais (assistant managers who planted all the tea that surrounds it) and has nine rooms. The estate covers 1,000 acres of tea, a factory, two churches, a temple, a hospital and vast areas of forests and grasslands.

If you love the rain, Kadamane is the place for you as rainfall is measured by the metre. One of the highlights of your stay in Kadamane, is a 4 x 4 ride of a lifetime on unseen trails, through the grassland or through streams, and across boulder-ridden thoroughfares. Visits to the tea plantation and factory as well as walking and hiking with picnics are also a possibility.

Accommodation

There are nine rooms in the sprawling estate house. The rooms, equipped with modern comforts and ensuite bathrooms are extremely spacious, with vintage furniture and fireplaces. The rooms overlook bountiful green hillsides all around. Since all the rooms are part of the bungalow, it is an excellent option for a large family or group to take up. Even if you are sharing it with other guests, there is ample space and privacy since the bungalow is huge and has ample nooks and corners to enjoy in one’s own private space.

Dining

Exceptional food is the highlight of Kadamane Estate. The food is a mix of Continental, Indian and local specialities made from freshly sourced ingredients and veggies. Meals are an elaborate three-course affair, with the desserts as the highlight for anyone with a sweet tooth. The common dining area is reserved for all meals with guests sharing stories and interacting over meals.

Experiences

Kadamane’s tea experiences and massive acres of complete forest is a big plus for anyone in love with the outdoors. A 4X4 ride over boulder-ridden muddy trails, hikes, bird watching strolls and even a trip to an unnamed secret natural pool fill up the days with ample to do. Of course, you can subscribe to the ‘do nothing’ routine with abandon and catch up on a good book or just listen to the sounds of nature from the bungalow itself.

Perfect For – doing nothing, or being the adventurer in the estate. There is ample to explore and learn on the estate where tea planting and processing, and nature goes.

Why we love this place

Kadamane is one of the largest tea plantations in the primary coffee growing regions of Karnataka. While the bungalow is charming in itself, the off-road trails within the estate, a secret natural pool and trekking trails that occasionally yield sightings of wild animals are a delight.

Responsible/Sustainable Tourism

The bungalow is a stellar example in responsible tourism. The community is at the core of many activities at Sinna Dorai, Kadamane – especially where the families of estate workers are concerned. The hospitality for guests is gentle, warm and unobtrusive. Acres of land left without cultivation for preserving nature is the most integral part of the responsible tourism mandate for the bungalow.

Our Recommendation

An off-the-beaten-track holiday must, Kadamane lands you in the world of tea and a bygone era of British colonial ambience in understated luxury. Stay here to omit tired tourist tropes and have an excellent weekend or more, just 250km from Bangalore.

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For meditative views of grassy peaks

Sinna Dorai’s Bungalow-Kadamane