Red Dot Tours | Kerala Hotels | Kumarakum Lake Resort

Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kumarakom

Price Guide: ££

Location

Kumarakom Lake Resort is a magnificent heritage style hotel set amidst a 25 acre landscaped garden on the banks of the serene Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom. Located just 16 kms west of Kottayam, Kumarakom is an island surrounded by Kerala’s charming backwaters. The drive from Cochin International Airport is 85km and takes approximately two hours. The nearest railway station is in Kottayam and the drive takes about 30 mins. The drive from Trivandrum International Airport is 185km and 4.5 hours long.

Introduction

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. From a 250 metre swimming pool that snakes around, numerous waterways that edge the landscaped gardens to the vast Vembanad Lake with waters as far as the eye can see – a peaceful and tranquil setting that is interspersed with sounds of bird call. Kerala’s heritage architecture is brought to life at Kumarakom Lake Resort. Ancient `Therawads’ (old feudal homes and mansions of Malabar) made of timber dating back to over a century, have been caringly transplanted piece-by-piece at the resort using the original rose or teakwood paneling, doors adorned with brass, ornate timber ceilings and intricately carved details - all still in tact. Most of these old homes and mansions have been abandoned in the villages due to high maintenance costs. The efforts of Kumarakom Lake Resort at preserving these `Therawads’ is to be commended. Kumarakom Lake Resort is a perfect blend of luxury and heritage and has won many accolades including the World Travel Award in 2006/07 from India’s Ministry of Tourism for being one of India’s leading resorts.

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Accommodation

There are 59 luxurious villas that fall into various categories. All are airconditioned and beautifully designed with angular lattice-worked wooden ceilings, terracotta floors, antiques and murals depicting age-old mythological tales. Other in-room facilities include satellite TV and DVD players on request, tea / coffee making facility, safety lockers, room service and laundry service. The ensuite bathrooms are open to sky and have h/w showers.

Luxury Pavillion Villas: An exclusive cluster of spacious heritage villas with sitting area and surrounded by lush tropical foliage. The luxurious ensuite bathrooms are fitted with a Jacuzzi and h/w shower.

Meandering Pool Villas: There are Standard and Duplex Meandering Pool Villas each with a private alcove that open out directly onto the 250 metre river like swimming pool that winds itself upto the Vembanad Lake. The Duplex villas consist of an upper floor with a double bedroom and ground floor with a sitting room that opens out to the winding pool.

Heritage Villas with Private Pool: These plush traditional Kerala homesteads have a private courtyard, swimming pool, and ensuite bathrooms with Jacuzzi.

Houseboats: Kumarakom Lake Resort also offers accommodation in their fleet of exquisite houseboats that is docked on the Vembanad Lake at night and meanders along by day through the backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom where you can experience village life and Kerala’s natural beauty. Built according to traditional methods with timber, bamboo and cane, these boats are well equipped with solar energy, outboard motor, and have upto two to three double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, sitting and dining area, kitchen and sundeck. All bedrooms and dining areas are airconditioned and have a LCD home theatre system, satellite TV, and intercom facility. The comfortable bedrooms are furnished very similar to Kumarakom Lake Resort’s villas with antiques and ethnic murals. A crew of three including the captain, chef and assistant will attend to all your needs during your backwaters getaway in a houseboat.

Facilities

Ettukettu is the main multi-cuisine restaurant and is housed in a beautiful heritage mansion which has been dismantled from its original location and reassembled in its entirety here at the resort. The Vembanad seafood bar and restaurant has an idyllic setting at the water’s edge. Fresh seafood is prepared to your liking here served with your choice of beverages. Other facilities include the inviting 250 metre swimming pool, indoor games room, a library, internet café, conference hall, and curio shop. Villagers are invited to teach guests traditional pottery and basket weaving skills. Cultural shows including Bharathanatyam and traditional music performances are held each night. Kumarakom Lake Resort’s fabulous Ayurveda wellness centre - Ayurmana is housed in a 200 year old heritage building overlooking a lotus filled pond. This award winning centre was once owned by a family of renowned Ayurvedic practitioners and their rich legacy lives on with the Ayurmana spa offering a holistic approach to wellness that includes the ancient philosophies of Ayurveda, Yoga and meditation. This `Green Leaf’ certified centre offers a range of relaxing massages and curative therapies closely supervised by experienced Ayurveda doctors and therapists. A minimum stay of 21 days is required for intensive curative treatments. An orientation course is also conducted for guests on Ayurveda massage techniques, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.

Excursions

The beautiful Vembanad Lake and the numerous canals and waterways that merges with it, forms a massive body of water that can be explored on one of Kumarkom Lake Resort’s owns luxurious houseboats. These rural backwaters of Kerala is an experience not to be missed. Familiar sights include numerous water birds, fisherman busily working their Chinese nets, villages in their canoes filled with coir, vegetables or their day’s catch, enroute to the village market. Stop along the way and visit the Buddha statue at Karumadikuttom which dated back to 300 BC, the ancient St. Kuriakose Church, famous temples of Ambalappuzha or watch as expert hands craft the famous Snake Boats at Chempakkulam.

Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kumarakom South India