The Ice Lounge

Many throng to Ice Lounge like you would to a tourist spot. They have not ever seen anything quite like it. How can a bar be made entirely of ice? Ice walls, ice sculptures, ice bar counter, ice sofas and chairs and come on...even drinking glasses made of ice!And not just any kind of ice blocks stacked together either. 

This is ice in its purest form, 35,000 kg of it flown all the way from Canada and sculpted by Julian Bayley, skilled ice designer and co-founder of Ice Culture, the leading designers of frozen bars - from Las Vegas to London to Dubai to now, India.

The theme is Mughal India and Julian has left nothing to chance. An ice lady in an ice saree greets you with a namaste as you enter. Motifs from Mughal architecture form design elements. In case you have missed the point, Indian national bird, the peacock, occupies pride of place behind the ice bar counter. Not enough? Ok, turn around and an ice tigress with frozen cubs greets you. The Taj Mahal is sculpted in ice on one wall. Though 21 Fahrenheit in Mumbai is really the first ice bar of the country, Ice Lounge takes the lead in introducing ice sculpture to India and being the first in Delhi.

Vythiri Resorts

An exquisite eco friendly jungle getaway in the heart of Wyanad in north western Kerala India . Wrapped in the lush embrace of a tropical rainforest, you will dwell in perfect harmony with nature, pristine and waiting to be explored. Allow yourself to be seduced by the orchestration of delicate, subtle sounds accompanying the theatre of nature . Quietly elegant and exclusive, the Vythri Resort is a state of mind with breathtaking views

Spread across either bank of a sprightly mountain stream that runs through the 150 acre property, the Vythiri Resort is a delightful jungle hideaway and the treasure trove a naturalist. Wrapped in the cool embrace of a rainforest, stone lined pathways, canopied by majestic trees, lead to brick coloured cottages built in the style native to the region. Built of brick with wooden rafters on the roof, furnished in cane, wood and fabrics of discreet elegance, the cottages are equipped with all modern amenities.

The accommodations are designed so as to provide residents an immediate experience of the surrounding sights and sounds. Available in configurations ranging from heady tree houses, to cottages on stilts overlooking the stream and further downstream, cottages with jacuzzis, private pools and a suite, everywhere, the muted hiss of the stream is a continuous serenade. A rope bridge across the stream, leads to the restaurant overlooking the swimming pool at one end and a sweeping view of the forest all around.

Days begin with the rousing melody of a Malabar Whistling Thrush. The forest comes alive with an orchestration of sounds and bands of foraging monkeys. The day ahead is ripe with possibilities. Guests may chose to relax in their cottages, go for walks in the forest in the company of the resident naturalist, swim in the freshwater pool , opt for treatments at the Ayurvedic spa.