Coconut Lagoon at Kumarakom is a CGH earth experience hotel, the others in the chain are Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep, Brunton Boatyard at Fort Cochin, Casino Hotel at Cochin, Marari Beach at Mararikulam, Spice Village at Thekkady and Kalari Kovilakom at Vengunad. The resort is reachable only over the water. It nestles along one shore of the great Vembanad lake, a 175 square km. expanse stretching between the backwaters of Kerala and the sea. Rippling under the vault of an impossibly large sky, sunlight sparkles on the waters of Vembanad Lake, tearing the reflection of a passing houseboat into crystal shards. Darter birds go about their fishy business. Your nostrils fill with scent-laden ozone.
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The timber and tile mansions belong to this earth, but to another time - an authentic reconstruction moved here piece by piece, a legacy of the tharavads of old Kerala. Some of its timbers are 200 years old. The reception area is a living piece of Kerala history. It dates from 1860, the four-cornered open courtyard design an echo of times past. The entire mansion was painstakingly transplanted from the nearby village of Vaikom in 1993. Relax on the wooden swing before you check in, or wander about, sipping on a fresh coconut and soaking in the atmosphere.
A closer look at any of the accommodations, reveals the minute architectural details that make each of them distinctive. A trellis pattern here, a row of tiny brass knobs there, a rampant diety on a 200 year old column. No two houses are exactly the same. These old-world touches betray little of the conveniences that are found within. Air-conditioning, telephones, hot and cold water. All the comforts of a modern resort are yours to relish.
With one exception-television. Noisy channel surfing and nature just don't belong together, as you'll soon discover. (However, for die-hard TV addicts, there is a set in the recreation room. May we impose on you to keep the volume low?). We cannot pass on without mentioning the bathrooms. This crucial aspect of hotel living has been given a fresh twist at Coconut Lagoon. The bathrooms are open-roofed, echoing the outdoor facilities of traditional Kerala, but of course, incorporating every modern convenience. So you can shower under the sheltering sky, yet in complete privacy
The restaurant building is built in the old 'ettukettu' style, two roomy courtyards with dozens of slender supporting pillars The space has been designed such that a constant, playful breeze dances attendance on diners. This is the oldest structure at Coconut lagoon, a fitting mise en scene for a taste of tradition.
A true experience is something that must include the body, the mind and the spirit. At Coconut Lagoon, leisure involves all three. If you're the active type, you can take a canoe out into the backwaters and explore this fascinating world just like the locals do. Or go fishing with one of the simple bamboo poles the staff usually have. You can even take a crack at water skiing. Of course, its nice to know that expert ayurvedic masseurs on hand to bring all aching muscles back into shape!
Ayurveda: Wellness Within and Without. Coconut Lagoon includes a holiday for the inner you. Ayurveda , the ancient Indian science of health and longevity, deals with the well-being of the spirit, as well as the body and mind. Brought a niggling ailment along on vacation? A headache or a chronic problem? A little residual stress? Give ayurveda a chance. The medicines used are completely natural, completely safe, and there are no side effects at all. Our expert Vaidyars, trained in traditional medicine, will prescribe for you. Who knows, you may return, like so many thousands of people, a convert to this ancient system. And even if you're in the pink of health, there's no reason why you shouldn't get some traditional massages, just for the tremendous feelings of relaxation and joy they bring. Of course, regular doctors too are on call from the nearby town, should you feel the need.
To be in the midst of nature at Coconut Lagoon, you have to do nothing more than leave your room. Yet, for the more environmentally inclined, there are some fascinating distractions. The Kumarakom Sanctuary is a bird-call away, across the Kavanar river. Numerous species include bitterns, brahminy kites, marsh harriers, several varieties of lake herons and of course, the darter, which seems to be everywhere at once. The resort grounds are home to a profusion of tree species, including many ayurvedic and medicinal plants. Most of these are labelled, and taking children along for a walk on the grounds is a fine way to introduce them to the bounties of nature. Set back between the ayurveda centre and the paddy fields beyond is a little experiment of ours. A butterfly garden that on a sunny morning, becomes a tableau of flitting, floating, dancing colours.
Languages Spoken:
- English
- Hindi
- Malayalam
- Tamil
Col & Mrs John Abraham - your local connection in Kerala will ensure you have a memorable KERALA EXPERIENCE. Kerala - "God's Own Country" - a land bestowed with beauty so enchanting that visitors and warriors alike have been attracted to its shores since ages - the warmth and hospitality of its people, the exotic produces of this Spice Garden and the inviting coconut groves that Mother Nature has gifted to its people have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia.
