Elite Traveler May-June 2018

TAJ EXOTICA RESORT & SPA , ANDAMANS OPENED FEBRUARY 2018

If you haven’t heard of the Andaman Islands, an Indian archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, you’re not the only one. But once you see its virgin white-sand beaches fringed by tropical forests and mangroves, and the incredible rustic luxury of Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, you’ll be booking your next vacation to the idyllic spot. Located on Radhanagar Beach, the sustainable resort was built with great respect for the environment (Taj did not cut down a single tree during construction). Fifty pitch-roof stilted huts, designed in the tradition of the Jarawa tribe, dot the 46-acre property. The cuisine is also regionally inspired — at The Settlers restaurant, the chef researched local dishes brought to the islands by mainlanders and recreated modern versions with locally sourced produce and seafood. Relaxation and water sports are why visitors come to the Andamans, so the on-site kayaking, snorkeling and diving are undoubtedly highlights of any visit, as is the stilted 6,400-sq-ft Presidential Suite, complete with private elevator, 65-ft-long swimming pool and butler service. THE EXPERIENCE Guided by the resort’s resident naturalist, kayak at night through the mangroves to observe the fascinating bioluminescent phytoplankton. While you glide through the water, the ocean’s surface will look like a starry night sky as the plankton emit a mesmerizing glow. Presidential Suite from $3,000 per night. Contact Abnash Kumar, general manager, abnash.kumar@tajhotels.com, tajhotels.com

Photos Chris Caldicott