Havelock (Barefoot) Resort Tariff

Havelock ( Barefoot) Scuba Diving Tariff

Package  w  Activities  w  Port Blair to Havelock Transfer  w  Port Blair Hotels

Located on the fringe of what TIME Magazine acclaimed as the best beach in Asia in Nov 2004, Barefoot at Havelock, the Andaman Islands’ only eco-hideaway is set in rainforest and tropical fruit trees behind a pristine 2 km white-sand stretch of the quirkily named Beach No. 7 at Havelock Island.

Our resort comprises 18 beautifully designed cottages that are hidden among 7 acres of grounds, their hardwood walls and conical thatch roofs blending into the tropical foliage. You get basic comforts (modern plumbing, air-con or ceiling fans) and an exhilarating closeness to nature. The barefoot philosophy means a minimal footprint, so only indigenous materials are used, rainwater is harvested, most staff are local. Venture out to kayak through mangrove creeks, snorkel or dive the reefs, camp on a deserted island; stay in and there's yoga, bird watching, hammocks - and a blissful beach. Barefoot at Havelock is perfect if you are looking for an unpretentious hideaway in one of the world’s last undeveloped tropical islands. 

You're very cut off from the rest of the world: no television, newspapers, internet or (sometimes) telephone - bliss for some! This is also part of a conscious effort to take our guests out of their cottages and experience the beauty of Havelock Island. Room service is not provided as the cottages are far apart from the kitchen and also because we have a wonderful atmospheric lounge and restaurant where we encourage our guests to mingle and sit back and enjoy a tall drink and a delicious meal with some relaxing music.

INDIVIDUAL ROOM DESCRIPTIONS

The ten spacious Nicobari Cottages and eight Andaman Villas are scattered amongst tropical foliage and connected by winding pathways. All are constructed from natural, regenerable materials and raised on stilts - for a (literally) minimal footprint!

The simpler, fan-cooled Nicobari Cottages are the more 'indigenous', with bamboo matting walls, local hardwood floors and palm thatch roofs. Interiors are spacious (350 sq. feet) and comfy, with Balinese teak beds (netted four-posters or twins), soft furnishings from Amara and ensuite bathrooms with hot showers. The thatched ceilings sometimes show a little sky or stars as their leaves shift in the wind; if raindrops fall, staff come and add another layer. The innovative step-ladder entrance folds back on itself, to prevent friendly wildlife from inviting themselves in!

The Duplex Cottage is ideal for families or honeymooners, with a mezzanine level bedroom and bathroom, and an upper level day-room open on three sides to the rainforest.

The newer, air-conditioned Andaman Villas are squarer in construction, with wood-shingled roofs and walls of Indonesian hardwood (carefully chosen to match endemic species). Interiors are more contemporary, with wide netted beds and large floor-to-ceiling windows behind sliding shutters. Bathrooms have Grohe fittings and a glass-roofed shower area with views up into the jungle.

DINING AT BAREFOOT, HAVELOCK

It's a good sign when our resident director, Susheel, is also a professional chef! His cooks create unpretentious yet delicious food from two kitchens - a traditional one with thatched walls and massive wood-fired hearth, and a more contemporary one. And you've a choice of two cuisines: Indian or European.

For breakfast you can alternate between spicy lentil curry (sambhar) with idlies (steamed rice cakes) or dosas, and a full English. For lunch and dinner, you can choose (and modify) a European set menu or an Indian one. Try a traditional thali, a bewildering vegetarian array of local gourds, banana stems, yams and spinach varieties; or the fishermen's catch of the day - rock lobster, gobra (coral grouper) or surmai (Spanish mackerel). If you get lucky on a fishing trip, your catch will be cooked to order – grilled, fried, or curried.

There is also a choice of spirits, Indian wines, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Whatever you eat, you can take comfort in the knowledge that the vegetables are organically grown and fertilizer free, seafood is fresh from the sea and the chicken (and eggs) are free range.

Next to the main restaurant is The Lounge, where guests chat (or dine) at low level tables with bolstered divans and aromatic candles. You can also enjoy perhaps the finest collection of jazz and lounge music in the Andaman Islands!

To be prepared before you arrive

Nocturnal forest sounds can be irritating, especially if you are a light sleeper and staying in a Nicobari Cottage. On occasion, the air-conditioning in the Andaman Villas can be erratic due to voltage fluctuations – the entire island’s power is run by a single government operated generator with a single transformer for each village and following the cyclone season, there have been some erratic power supply. The situation is being corrected to ensure uninterrupted operation of the air-conditioners, but any disruption will be commensurately compensated.

There’s plenty to do – but because we have a maritime climate, activities cannot be pre-booked and are typically planned only one day in advance. Lastly, we are in the tropics, so expect the occasional shower even in the dry season; conversely, you could have glorious sunshine during the wet season.

Package  w  Activities  w  Port Blair to Havelock Transfer  w  Port Blair Hotels

For booking this package or your travel assistance,  please submit details with this Form or contact us at: info@mintvalley.com