Apr 6th – 8th, 2025

A profusion of fuchsia hued blooms dance in welcome, their vibrant clusters cascading in charmingly unruly fashion. Various species of tiny birds flit in and out of these paper thin bougainvillea bracts, as usual not holding still long enough for my camera to trap them.

The lush sprigs nod coquettishly and beckon enticingly as they vie for my eye but as much as they endeavor to become the center of my attention, there is another centerpiece (literally) or shall I call it the masterpiece that is waiting in the vicinity to blow me away!

Grabbing all eyeballs and leaving me gasping in surprise, is the stunning swimming pool ensconced within the cool confines of the grand Samara Boutique Villa, a tranquil getaway that nestles within these enchanting surroundings. The pool is not just the heart but also the soul of this home and a great reason for anyone to make plans right away to escape the looming summer!

Samara Boutique Villa is a private pool villa which was originally a Thotti Maney where the ‘thotti’ has been brilliantly transformed into a gorgeous indoor private pool. If I may take the liberty to play with words, I would say that this Thotti has been Thotti’fully repurposed to raise the excitement quotient of this getaway!

For the clueless, a Thotti maney or ‘Indoor Courtyard’ house is a traditional South Indian dwelling characterized by a sunken tank in the center, which is open to the sky and around which the rooms are built.

Samara Boutique Villa completes the luxury villa trilogy brought to us by the owners of Strelitzia Villas and Cicada Leisure, two equally splendid luxe stays that are designed to pander to discerning travellers who seek quietude and quality in the serene lap of nature!.

Located in Chikmagalur district in the state of Karnataka in the southern part of India, these villas contribute to the ever growing list of upscale luxury options in this region.

So join me if you want to chill in its frame worthy porch or sway on its pretty swing or splash in the pool in total privacy, as we spend a couple of days relaxing at this haven of luxury.

About Chikmagalur – 

Chikmagalur city (once a tiny town) is the headquarters of its eponymous district. It is also called Chikkamagaluru which translates to “Younger daughter’s town” since in the days of yore, it was said to have been given as dowry along with the younger daughter of Rukmangada who was the chief of Sakkarepatna, a nearby town.

Chikmagalur’s biggest claim to fame, is that it is the birthplace of coffee in India and it also is the largest producer of this heady bean in Karnataka. Its location in the Baba Budan belt of the Western Ghats that stands tall at an elevation of 1090 meters (3580 ft) above Mean Sea Level (msl), makes its environment conducive for coffee plants that flourish well at an altitude of 800 – 1800 meters above msl.

The mountain range was originally known as the Chandra Drona Parvatha due to its crescent moon like contour and obtained its new name from Baba Budan, a Sufi saint of the 16th century, who initially smuggled in the coffee beans from Yemen, thus beginning the saga of coffee in India.

The city albeit small, is surrounded by mountains and the hilly regions with their verdant rainforest landscapes, innumerable water bodies and waterfalls, trekking trails, wildlife etc, have gradually put the place on the traveller’s map, after inexplicably having remained off the mainstream tourist radar until just a few years ago.

For me, Chikmagalur is familiar territory and though I have written about my relationship with this place in some of my previous blog posts, I will quickly mention again that this was my holiday destination for most of my childhood, since my grandfather owned a coffee estate a few kilometers away from Chikmagalur city. For the rest of the ride down memory lane, you can refer to my earlier stories on my blog 😎

About Samara Boutique Villas – 

Located not too far from Chikmagalur city and yet managing to stay shielded and secluded behind strategically grown hedges that lie within a 7 acre coffee plantation, is the swanky Samara Boutique Villa which has opened its hospitable arms to guests in January 2025.

This property is around 10 km away from Strelitzia Villas  and Cicada Villas which also belong to the same owners and both of which I have had the pleasure of experiencing in the past.

A venture by Pradeep Rebello and family who are passionate about being in the hospitality realm, this space is intended to provide a bespoke and personalised experience to guests who seek private and classy retreats to unwind in.

About the owners – 

Well I have spoken about the owners in both my earlier blogs and not much has changed as far as their bio is concerned😀but I will repeat the tale here for those who have not yet read about them.

Pradeep Rebello is a 3rd generation coffee planter and also an engineer by degree. He hails from a family of renowned estate owners who have made their home in that region for several decades.

Well known and well reputed in Chikmagalur, he is also a man with great vision and futuristic ideas. These luxury villas are his brainchild and he has been ably assisted in this project by his equally talented wife Pearl, his son Sam and daughter Suzanne. The brilliant concept and design of these ventures is the outcome of their combined visualization and vision.

The graceful Pearl is a special educator and gold medallist. Her talents also extend into the kitchen and the excellent cook that she is, she has played the main role in raising the culinary standards of the stays. The place would not be the same without her artistic and creative touch.

Sam is an undergraduate at the Cornell University, NY. This young all rounder never fails at anything that he puts his mind to and the flawless design and execution of the villas is credited mainly to him.

Suzanne has completed her 12th standard in commerce and she plays her part like the rest of her family. She is the one quietly holding fort in the background and can be depended upon to step in and take over, wherever and whenever necessary, making sure there are no hiccups in the smooth running of the place.

Features and Amenities – 

The property is a 7 acre space that includes a coffee shop at the entrance with a sprawling lawn behind it, a large open air space called Samara Gardens where events and functions can be held, the staff buildings and kitchen at the back, the main Samara pool villa and the verdant woods that form a serene backdrop with tall trees towering over the coffee plants that lie in their dominion.

Coffee shop – 

This forms the facade of the property as seen from the main road and behind this, lie all the other features.

Samara Gardens – 

This is the outdoor space for hosting events, both personal and official. This event ground can accommodate up to 800 people in a floating arrangement or 500 people with round table seating.

Parking for up to 80 cars, clean washrooms and a designated kitchen with power and water are some of the facilities available.

The Stay – 

The Samara villa is a large 6 bedroom villa which as mentioned earlier, was originally a Thotti maney with a central sunken courtyard which has now creatively been transformed into a private pool.

The villa is divided into 2 sections consisting of a 2 and a 4 bedroom unit. Each section is to be booked in its entirety by a single group but the access to each room is distinct and one can have their privacy despite being a part of the same structure.

The villa is equipped with the usual amenities like double beds, wooden cupboards, couches, AC, coffee tables, tea/coffee maker, crockery and cutlery, microwave, fridge, toaster, 24 hour hot water, bath linen, toiletries, first aid kits, mosquito repellents etc.

Apart from this, each exclusive living space is individually furnished with different sets of chic elements and thoughtfully handpicked items of décor.

There is also a dedicated shed outdoors for barbequing.

This is not a wheelchair-friendly property.

A short video showcasing the features – 

View this post on Instagram

The 2 bedroom portion – 

This has its own exclusive access and is a beautifully designed space which consists of 2 bedrooms on either side of a large, central common living room. The bedrooms are spacious and have generously sized en suite bathrooms with a shower cubicle, toilet and  wash basins.

The interiors of the living room and bedrooms are quite splendid with premium fittings and classy décor.

The central hall also serves as the common dining area for this villa and is equipped with a microwave, refrigerator and TV for the use of the guests. Crockery and cutlery are also provided.

As in the other villas owned by this brand, here too there is a charming wrought iron swing on the front lawn.

This villa can accommodate a total of 6 people, with extra floor mattresses.

The 4 bedroom portion – 

This section is an even more impressive dwelling with 4 spacious bedrooms, a common area with a high table and bar stools and the jewel in the crown, which is the gorgeous private pool right in the center. Like its adjacent section, this too is endowed with stylish décor.

An outdoor porch serves as the dining area and there is another swing which is exclusive to this side.

This side of the villa is bordered by lush and vibrant bougainvillea clusters which also contribute towards creating charming frames through the bedroom windows. The hilly coffee plantation lies behind this vivid border and one can take a stroll through the woods at any time of the day.

Just as in the other villa, this living room also is equipped with a fridge, microwave, crockery and cutlery.

This villa can accommodate a total of 8 people.

Swimming pool – 

The indoor pool is around 250 sq ft in area and uniformly 4 feet deep.

Dining –

As mentioned above, the guests of the 2 bedroom part usually dine in the central hall and the 4 bedroom villa occupants have the outdoor porch. During mealtimes, the staff transport the food from the kitchen to these locations.

Being a private villa which operates only when there is occupancy, the entire menu has to be pre-decided before arrival, so that the kitchen staff can be suitably prepared. While this makes practical sense, it might feel restrictive and inflexible because of the controlled system that is to be adhered to, in order to have food of one’s choice. The kitchen staff will not be able to fulfil any ad hoc request.

While there is a set menu which the guest chooses from, one can also make special requests like Jain food or allergen free dishes etc, which will be fulfilled if possible.

Breakfast is complimentary for the guests and is served between 9.00 am to 11.30 am. The menu covers a main item of idli-vada-chutney-sambhar OR puri bhaji. In addition, they also provide cereal, bread, butter, jam, boiled eggs/omelettes, along with fruit, coffee and tea. There are also a few paid options on the menu which one can request earlier. 

In my personal opinion, the complimentary menu should have accommodated a wider choice of main items and also provided an alternative beverage like juice etc, for those who do not drink tea or coffee.

Lunch, tea time and dinner are not complimentary. There is an à la carte menu and the food is prepared as per pre-order. The menu is shared with the guests via WhatsApp before they arrive at the villa. The choices are quite finite and cover starters, mains and desserts from North Indian and South Indian cuisines. I thought that the food could do with some improvement by including some simple, local and homely dishes to add to the existing menu, instead of having only restaurant style fare.

Lunch is served between 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm.

High tea is served between 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm and offers a choice of hot beverage like coffee or tea served and freshly made snacks like sandwiches, potato fries, vegetable fritters etc.

Dinner is served between 8.30 pm to 10.30 pm. One has a choice of tandoor items/barbeque, apart from the existing menu. 

Barbeques are organised in the designated zone, with prior intimation.

Food options outside the homestay – Chikmagalur town/city is hardly 6 km away and has sufficient options to make for a decent meal. Apart from many basic types of eateries, there are also options like Maharaja, Rider’s Nest, Take 5 which is a pub that serves Chinese and Continental, Town Canteen which is a 65 year old establishment serving local South Indian food, Mughal Darbar for North Indian food and so on.

Activities – 

Activities within the plantation – 

Barbeque and bonfire in the fireplace can be arranged with prior notice. Costs are as per specifications.

One can go on a small plantation walk in the estate next to the villa and chase the innumerable tiny, jumpy winged creatures that always make things difficult for my camera 😏

There is also a set of indoor games for those who prefer a quiet time.

Of course, some of the great things in life are free and hence just chilling out in the garden, ‘swinging on the swing’, strolling around the property or splashing in the private pool, are the other options to entertain oneself.

Things to do in the Surroundings – 

Chikmagalur has sufficient ammunition to lure tourists across a range of interests. Being a hill station, it naturally offers opportunities for trekking, hiking, visiting waterfalls etc.

The staff can assist with cab bookings or recommend tour itineraries and third party providers if needed.

The Mullayanagiri peak is one of the popular treks.

This land of coffee plantations also has an interesting Coffee Yatra Museum in the city where one can learn about the journey that coffee makes from shrub to cup.

The Bhadra Tiger Reserve at Muthodi is around 30 km from the city.

In addition, there are a few famous Hoysala temples like the  Veera Narayana temple at Belavadi, the Chennakeshava Temple at Belur and the Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebeedu. These architectural marvels in stone are within 30 – 35 km distance of the city and are a must visit.

Visitor Profile – 

Since the entire villa section has to be booked by one party and booking of bedrooms separately by different people is not permitted, it makes economical sense to book it for a group of people, optimally equal in number to the maximum people allowed.

Guests of all ages are permitted. There are no restrictions of any kind, on the category of visitors and that includes unmarried couples, bachelors etc, as long as it is clear that illegal activities are not going to be indulged in and that peace and decorum are going to be maintained.

Remember that the villas are in a gated plantation and hence there might be other guests on its premises.

The villa is not suitable for guests who are differently abled. All access is via a set of steps.

This is also a pet friendly property with additional charges for the animals. And of course the guest is expected to supervise the pets at all times to ensure their safety and that of the surroundings and of other people’s on the premises.

To summarize, this private luxury villa in its idyllic coffee plantation setting and adjoining event space, is ideal for any type of occasion, whether it be a rejuvenating break from the mundane to get away from it all or for celebrations of intimate nature or personal or corporate events etc.

Best time to visit – 

Chikmagalur is a year round destination. The weather especially within the coffee plantations, is pleasant even in summers. Rainy season has its own charms, though outdoor activities may be restricted. Winters are cold but actually quite lovely and are also a great time to visit.

To summarize –

June to August is the rainy season. A great time for pluviophiles and those who are content with staying indoors and watching the magic shower around them.

September to November – Very pleasant weather. Not as chill as winter. A good time to be outdoors. The landscape is lush and green after the rains and the coffee plants sport the  green baby coffee berries, which the flowers have transformed into.

December and January – Peak winter. Invigorating chill temperatures. A wonderful time to see the coffee plants adorned with ruby like ripe red berries. Can also witness the coffee picking and processing.

February is glorious in the springtime. A lot of bird activity. Nature at its vibrant and colorful best.

March and April are when the coffee buds burst into blossoms and drape the shrubs with ethereal white, jasmine like flowers. A stunning sight, which from a height could be easily mistaken for a sprinkling of snow.

May is the ‘so called’ summer, where the sunny daytime turns pleasant as evening falls.

Pro tip –

To witness the gorgeous coffee flowers in full bloom, visit during March 15th – April 15th.  You will have to check the exact dates prior to going because these blossoms are at the peak of their glory only for a very few days before they drop off to make way for the baby berries.

To see the ripe red coffee berries adorning the shrubs, visit between December 15th to January 15th.

Phone and internet connectivity –

The property provides a free Wifi connection for its guests. When I visited, the connection was not all that stable. Airtel and Jio also were not all that reliable.

What is available and what you should carry –

There is a generator for power back up which can support all appliances, WiFi etc, in case of a power failure.

Considering the possible outdoor activities in Chikmagalur, carry a pair of walking shoes, a cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, a backpack, a camera etc.

The type of clothing you need is weather dependent of course. In summer one would need light cottons especially during the daytime but monsoons and winters are quite chill, hence equip yourself accordingly.

And as always, carry your ID card with you.

Additional Information –

Open air parking is available.

Smoking is permitted in open areas.

CCTV cameras are installed in outdoor areas for security.

Loud music or any activity that is disruptive to nature and to the general peace, is not permitted.

The space can be booked for events, shoots, day trips, picnics etc.

The place provides accommodation for the personal staff of their guests. Check with them for the rates.

It is a pet friendly property. Check with them for the rates.

Getting there – 

The nearest airport is the Mangalore International Airport which is 135 km away and the journey via the ghats (mountains) takes around 3.5 hours.

Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore, is 280 km (5.5 hours).

Driving down from Mangalore or Bangalore, is the most convenient way to get to Cicada.

One can also take a bus from Mangalore or Bangalore. The villa is around 8 km from Chikmagalur Bus Stand. Taxis and autos are a possibility for last mile accessibility.

Samara also arranges transport from and to Chikmaglur town at extra charges.

Things of interest en route from Bangalore – 

A few major places of interest en route are –

Sravanabelagola Jain temple – 12 km off the highway and 145 km from Bangalore.

Shettihalli Rosary Church – 30 km off the highway from Hassan

The Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebidu are a few kms off the main highway. Plan for a few hours for visiting each one.

Booking and contact – 

Address –

Samara Villas,

KM Road, Aladagudde, Chikmagalur,

Karnataka 577133

India

Phone –  +91 63637 48082

Email id – info@cicadaproperties.com

Website of Samara Villas

Instagram of Samara Villas

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Please Note –

This trip was in collaboration with Samara Villas and I thank them for the hospitality. My narration is based on the inputs I received from various sources as well as my personal experiences.

For more pictures see My Facebook – Samara Villas, Chikmagalur

Also catch me on My Facebook, My Facebook page, My Twitter and My Instagram

This itinerary was specially curated hence some of the features might have been personalized accordingly. Before booking, please check the facilities offered in your package.

I would really appreciate your feedback and comments in the comment box below.

Apr 6th – 8th, 2025