Created in 2016 Ameya is one of the newer luxury retreat options on Vembanad Lake in Varanad, Kerala. Its name means ‘boundless’ in Sanskrit and refers to the boundlessness of the atmospheric lake the property sits on.

Built in a resort-style but made up of only two private cottages and one suite, guests can enjoy the panoramic views of the lake from the cottages’ private elevated verandas. A respect for nature is important to its owners, Paris-based couple Istvan & Véronique d’Eliassy. That’s why Ameya is entirely run on renewable solar energy, making this a unique lakeside eco-retreat.

Inspired by traditional Kerala architecture and created by well-known architect Ramesh Tharakan, all the buildings are topped with the sloped and peaked terracotta roofs typical of Kerala, while the open verandas have rustic thatched roofs. Antique-style furniture, paintings of traditional mural art, and bronze sculptures decorate the interiors, creating a charming old world ambiance.