Five Indian beach houses

Barefoot At Havelock, Andaman Islands

Geographically closer to Thailand than India, the Andamans are characterised by tropical rainforests, white sand beaches and teal-coloured water. The Barefoot resort features 18 environmentally sustainable, rustic cottages set against a jungle backdrop. Facilities are minimal, with the emphasis on experiencing the island's natural beauty: forest walks, kayaking and swimming with elephants.

Barefoot at Havelock, Radhanger Village, Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (00 91 3192 282 151; barefootindia.com). Cottages sleeping two start at €90 (£75) with breakfast.

The Dune, Tamil Nadu

The Dune's 26 cottages and 15 rooms are scattered over a huge swathe of Tamil Nadu coastline, interspersed with an organic farm, tennis courts and pools. The decor marries traditional with modern: one of the suites features a rooftop garden, and there's a thatched Crusoe-style Baywatch House. Many guests choose to enjoy the unspoilt beach or make use of the yoga facilities; others venture out to Pondicherry, a former French colony.

The Dune, Eco Beach Hotel, near Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu (00 91 413 2655 751; thedunehotel.com). Houses sleeping two start at R5,000 (£62), including breakfast.

Bangaram Island, Lakshadweep

Lying 250 miles off the Keralan coast, the Lakshadweep archipelago has been likened to an undiscovered Maldives. Eleven islands are inhabited, one of which is Bangaram – home to just one resort of 30 simple, thatched huts, plus a spa, restaurant and idyllic beaches backed by a dense coconut palm forest.

Bangaram Island, Lakshadweep (00 91 484 301 1711; cghearth.com). Beach huts start at €300 (£250), full board.

Coco Shambhala, Goa

Despite its proximity to the touristy beach resorts of Baga and Calangute, Coco Shambhala is cut off from the main coast by the Mandovi River. Overlooking Coco Beach, its four luxurious, two-storey villas are linked by a meandering pool. A complimentary car and driver are also provided.

Coco Shambhala, Coco Beach, Nerul, Bardez, Goa (01202 484257; cocoshambhala.com). Weekly rental of a four-person villa starts at £1,185.

Neeleshwar Hermitage, Kerala

Neeleshwar is a collection of 12 detached cottages overlooking either the Arabian Sea or luxuriant gardens in the undeveloped far north of Kerala. While yoga and meditation are the focus of the hotel's activities, there is also a network of paddy fields and backwaters to be explored.

Neeleshwar Hermitage, Malabar, northern Kerala (00 91 0467 2287 510; neeleshwarhermitage.com). Cottages sleeping two start at €242 (£201), including breakfast, yoga and an Ayurvedic consultation.