Taj Bekal Resort and Spa, Kerala

Taj hotels have established themselves as urban mainstays for the business-class bon vivant, absolutely, but they’ve also made room — under the Taj umbrella — for the sweetly indolent resort-goer. Taj Bekal Resort and Spa, Kerala fits this model to a tee, sprawling languorously over 26 acres on the palm- and coconut-bedecked shore of the Arabian Sea. It’s a sinuous, almost whimsical family of rooms and villas, each a swoopy-yet-solid architectural statement in plaster, wooden beams, pillars, and flared thatch roofing.

Kappil Beach is the primary attraction, seamlessly melding into the resort’s orderly lawns and meticulously landscaped gardens; its influence can be felt in the airy, white-on-wood interiors of the rooms, whose décor blends elements of the regional houseboat tradition, illustrated palm-leaf manuscript patterns called chitra pothi, and mythic laterite sculpture. Not that they’ve abandoned the present day altogether — interactive LCD flatscreens, sumptuous bathrooms, and king beds with pillow menus make sure of that. Rather, an ageless ambience predominates as ceiling fans inscribe lazy breezes and tropical pastels reflect and amplify the copious sunlight. The best part? All rooms come encircled and embellished by lush vegetation, affording the experience priceless beauty and privacy. Oh, and a furnished balcony or terrace certainly doesn’t hurt.

When the mood strikes, saunter down to Latitude for all-day South Indian fine dining with river views. Or, if the water’s the point, sample the excellent Keralan seafood at By the Bay or comfort barbecue right from the pool. You can’t miss Ivory Bar’s massive underlie dome — nor, for that matter, its garden moat — retire here for a bartender’s choice cocktail and prime stargazing potential. Pro tip: put in a timely word with the concierge to arrange for a romantic meal right on the river in the hotel’s pontoon.