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Backwater Ripples, Kumarakom

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Backwater Ripples is a welcoming holiday retreat that maintains the feel of traditional Kerala. Individual cottages recreated with original timber doors and wood paneling from old Kerala homesteads with gabled clay tiled roofs, are set amidst swaying palms.

Brunton Boatyard, Cochin

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££

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The Malabar Coast with its fertile lands with precious spices including cardamoms, cloves, and pepper, attracted many a sea fearing trader for centuries including the Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, and the British who battled for dominance over this port town of Cochin. With each occupation, Cochin’s landscape changed and the cultural influences remained. Today Fort Cochin is an intriguing mix of cultures, lifestyles, architecture, and cuisine.

Coconut Lagoon

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Coconut Lagoon is an architectural triumph, a boutique hotel cleverly crafted from the fragments of ancient village homes and palaces. The result is the ultimate backwater resort, where fine traditional craftsmanship exists in stunning natural surroundings.

Estuary Island, Poovar

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Situated on an idyllic location surrounded by the backwaters and the Arabian Sea, Estuary Island is a mid-ranged 71 roomed resort with spectacular views, extensive gardens strewn with coconut trees, up-to-date facilities and a holistic wellness centre offering Ayurveda and Yoga.

House Boats, Kumarakom

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Kerala’s tranquil backwaters, the setting for Arundhati Roy’s Booker prize-winning novel `The God of Small Things’, offer a true experience of India’s enchanting natural landscape and rural village life. These shimmering waterways are edged with dense tropical greenery and rural villages where daily life unfolds at an unhurried pace.

Kayaloram Heritage Lake Resort, Alleppey

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Kayaloram -- meaning `Lake Front’ -- is a charming 12-room resort in a peaceful coconut grove where the Vembanad Lake meets the Arabian Sea Heritage-style cottages combined with Ayurvedic wellness makes this an ideal restful retreat.

Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kumarakom

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Arguably the most luxurious backwater resort in Kumarakom, this is a beautifully designed heritage property created by architect Tony Joseph who wan an Arc Asia award for it in 2003. A unique feature here is the presence of water all around.

Lake Palace, Alleppey

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The thrill of a boat ride along the Vembanad brings you to Lake Palace. The main focus of the hotel is the three-acre private lake in the centre around which all of the individual cottages and villas are built.

Lakesong, Kollam

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Lakesong is a well equipped modern hotel using traditional design components with intricately carved lattice work, high ornate ceilings, gabled roofed structures, and un-plastered exterior brick walls that gives the hotel a natural feel.

Philipkutty’s Farm, Kumarakom

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Prominent members of the local Syrian Christian community who once owned most of the property on this island, the Philipkutty’s are a caring family. Vinod Mathew, the grand daughter of Mr. Philipkutty and her mother – Aniamma, now looks after the farm and the many guests that keep returning to this wonderful holiday retreat each year.

Poovar Island Resort, Poovar

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Jointly managed by local owners and Aitken Spence Hotels of Sri Lanka, this is a mid-ranged eco-friendly island resort set amidst lush tropical gardens and waterways. Guests can choose to stay in the floating cottages on the Poovar River or inland in individual cottages amidst landscaped gardens.

Privacy, Kumarakom

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Privacy is one of four unique and stylish boutique properties belonging to Malabar Escapes – a Green Globe certified small chain of boutique hotels in Kerala. Privacy has just two bungalows – the waterfront bungalow situated at the edge of the Vembanad; and the Heritage bungalow set amidst a one acre coconut grove and lush tropical gardens.

Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom

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Formerly called 'Baker's Bungalow', after George Baker acquired this land and built his home here 124 years ago, this property was also referred to as the 'The History House' in Arundhati Roy's novel, The God of Small Things.

Taj Malabar, Cochin

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Taj Malabar in Cochin is a luxurious five-star hotel with panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the backwaters. Located on Willingdon Island and surrounded by the tranquil waters of the great Vembanad Lake, Taj Malabar offers a peaceful and relaxing holiday setting. The hotel lies at the estuary where the lake meets the Arabian Sea and dolphins are often seen frolicking in the waters nearby.

Waterscapes, Kumarakom

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An ideal holiday retreat for nature lovers, the Waterscapes is a creditable effort by the government’s tourism ministry to promote Kerala’s natural beauty and preserve the surrounding wilderness. Designed by local architect Gerard De Cunha, the resort’s 40 stilted wooden cottages are raised upto two metres off the ground and stands tall amidst trees and canals with magnificent views of the Vembanad Lake.