Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom South India

Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom
Price Guide: £
Location
The Taj Garden Retreat sits on acres of landscaped gardens adjoining the Kumarakom Bird sanctuary and overlooking the vast Vembanad Lake. Originally owned by an English missionary, this property has been carefully refurbished to provide a blend of old world colonial charm and a touch of Kerala amidst a tranquil setting. Taj Garden Retreat is situated right next door to the Waterscapes eco-retreat run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). The drive from Cochin International Airport is 85km and takes approximately 2 hours. The nearest railway station is in Kottayam and the drive from there takes about 30 minutes. Trivandrum International Airport is 185km away.
Introduction
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. The Taj Hotels have carefully refurbished this colonial mansion which now houses the reception and main restaurant and serves as the centerpiece of the property overlooking a central man made lagoon. Accommodation is in the form of newly built individual villas, cottages, and heritage rooms scattered throughout the property amidst landscaped gardens and with some at the edge of the Vembanad Lake. Naturalists will enjoy the numerous species of birds that can be spotted here as well as in the adjoining Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
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Accommodation
There are five room types: Standard Rooms housed in the main mansion with old-world design and modern amenities; Cottage Rooms alongside the central lagoon with private patios; Deluxe Cottage Rooms in the Ayurveda block overlooking the swimming pool; and Luxury Villas offering a spacious blend of Edwardian and local ethnic décor. All cottage rooms and suites are aircontidioned and tastefully furnished with solid timber beds, couches, and desks. The ensuite bathrooms have h/w showers. At the edge of the lagoon are moored two houseboats offering wonderful sunset cruises and additional accommodation for those wishing to spend the night amidst the tranquil backwaters.
Facilities
The main restaurant - the 'Baker's Dining Room' - serves delicious alfresco meals on the star-lit front lawn; or there is the casual Sunset Bar offering cocktails and fine views over the lake. There is a swimming pool, small gym, watersports facilities including water skiing, banana boating, and speed boating and a business centre offering internet access, computers and photocopiers. The Ayurveda centre supervised by an in-house Ayurvedic physician, offers rejuvenating massages and curative treatments.
Excursions
Several interesting tours are offered by the Taj Garden Retreat including sunset cruises, visit to Kottayam’s temples and churches, and a visit to a village to watch a Kathakali dance performances. Explore the fascinating backwaters of Kerala which has a unique bio-diversity. An intricate network of lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of 41 rivers form the backwaters which flow into the Arabian Sea. Over 900 kms of this massive water body can be explored by boat. The largest backwater stretch is the Vembanad Lake that flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at Cochin harbour. Kumarakom - an island with mangrove forests, paddy fields and coconut groves is surrounded by the scenic backwaters. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary situated adjoining Waterscapes covers an area of 14 acres and is home to numerous species of migratory and endemic bird species. Some of the migratory birds that can be spotted during the season from October to January include Caspian Terns, Cormorants and collared Bush chats. From February to August local migratory birds start flying in including Snake birds, Indian Shags, and Black Ibis to name a few.
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