Red Dot Tours | Kerala Hotels | Coconut Lagoon Kumarakom

Coconut Lagoon

Price Guide: £

Location

Coconut Lagoon sits on the banks of the beautiful Vembanad Lake amidst a tranquil coconut grove with winding waterways. The resort can only be reached by boat along the backwaters. For those travelling from the east, the resort’s pier is about 10km from Kottayam. Those travelling from Cochin will need to get to Puthenangadi and then take a longer 25-minute boat trip across the lake. Kumarakom is 95km from Cochin International Airport.

Introduction

This is a boutique hotel with a difference where heritage and ecological living reigns supreme. Coconut Lagoon’s waterways, lush green paddy fields, heritage cottages and staff walking about purposefully in their white dothis and saris resemble a backwater village. One of several CGH Earth properties across Kerala, Coconut Lagoon is another fine example of their vision of providing guests an authentic experience of the culture, heritage and ecology of the region. `We have discovered ourselves through nature…learnt that less is more…that luxury lies in simplicity…that reality is more enchanting than fantasy and that magic lies in what you already have.’ This deep rooted CGH philosophy resonates throughout all their hotels, including Coconut Lagoon. This is a backwater resort that captures the true essence of Kerala. Pearl Spot fish cooked in a banana leaf, sounds of the sitar resonating from far, the smell of oil lamps as they glow in the dark, the healing touch of an Ayurveda therapist, and the sight of a fisherman in his Kettuvallam (canoe) as he meanders along the backwaters are a sensual experience.

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Accommodation

Kerala’s heritage architecture is brought to life at Coconut Lagoon. Ancient Therawads (old feudal homes of Malabar), made of timber dating back more than a century, have been caringly transplanted with original rose or teakwood paneling, doors adorned with brass, ornate timber ceilings and intricate carved details. No two Therawads are the same. Most of these old homes have been abandoned in the villages due to high maintenance costs. Thanks to Coconut Lagoon, this ancient form of architecture is kept alive. There are three types of accommodation at Coconut Lagoon: Heritage Bungalows, Heritage Mansions and a few exclusive Pool Villas. All have a/c and are elegantly furnished with magnificent antiques. Other facilities include a minibar, tea / coffee making facility, and telephone. No television by choice. The beautifully designed open-air bathrooms with a small courtyard are typical of old Keralan homes and are landscaped with a fruit or frangipani tree. Hand made soaps with Jasmine or sandalwood and medicinal roots for scrubbing, helps to invigorate your body. At night a caring ritual of turning down the beds with flowers arranged in ornate motifs, makes you never want to leave this special place.

Heritage Bungalows: Individual cottages set amidst landscaped gardens and waterways, consists of a spacious bedroom, sitting area, attached open air bathroom with h/w shower, and a private sit-out.

Heritage Mansions: Spacious two-storey villas overlooking the serene lake. The Heritage Mansions are constructed with timber used from age old Therawads and interiors are furnished with exquisite antiques. The bedroom is situated loft style on the upper floor with an extra bed downstairs in the sitting area.

Pool Villas: Spacious and luxurious, these villas have a separate sitting area which can accommodate an additional two persons and has a small pantry. The Pool villas are situated in its own enclosed gardens or in a secluded area overlooking the lake and have a private swimming pool.

Facilities

As you arrive by boat at Coconut Lagoon, you dock at the reception – an old 19th century Brahmin home - a magnificent example of heritage architecture. It has a central courtyard, a verandah with ornate columns and old photographs of Kerala. Just across the canal is the restaurant housed in another heritage building belonging to an old Malayalam family that dates back centuries. Sumptuous Kerala cuisine prepared with fresh seafood, organic vegetables from their own gardens and fresh spices is served here in an exotic setting. Ayurvedic vegetarian cuisine with enhanced digestive and cooling effects is also served. `Fort Cochin’ – a seafood restaurant located at the edge of the lake, serves fresh seafood dishes prepared to your liking. The chefs at Coconut Lagoon are happy to share their traditional recipes with guests and conduct cookery demonstrations each evening. A relaxing cocktail lounge and library is situated next to the swimming pool. Ayurveda is a specialty here with an extensive wellness centre that is `Green Leaf’ certified and has a dispensary, treatment rooms and well-trained staff supervised by an experienced Ayurvedic physician. Yoga and meditation are also conducted daily. Coconut Lagoon promotes the arts and crafts of Kerala. Kathakali, Bharathanatyam, and classical music played with the sitar, tablar and flute is performed at nights. Kalaripayattu – traditional martial arts of Kerala which has developed its own system of healing and self-defence is also practiced early in the mornings. Like the other CGH Hotels, Coconut Lagoon also follows a strict nature conservation philosophy, with a full-time director in charge of their environmental policies which include rain water harvesting, waste management schemes, use of bio-gas, organic farming, and maintaining `chemical-free’ zones. The Resort also conducts a breeding programme to protect the endangered Vechoor cows in collaboration with the Agricultural University in Mannuthy.

Excursions

Coconut Lagoons represents a unique biosphere which is a treasure trove for naturalists. Explore Vembanand Lake and its profusion of fish and water birds, the extensive gardens scattered with fruit and medicinal trees, the butterfly garden, and the adjoining Kavanar bird sanctuary. Village expeditions past paddy fields, waterways and village homes are organised by the resort accompanied by the naturalist. Explore the backwaters, where numerous lagoons, lakes, canals and a network of up to 41 rivers meet at estuaries leading to the Arabian Sea. Over 900 kms of this massive water body can be explored by boat. Take a houseboat ride along the tranquil backwaters. fisherman tending to their nets, cormorants and brahmini kites diving down into the waters in search of their catch, village women working at their coir mills, and the chatter of waving children as your boat passes by are all sights and sounds providing a memorable insight into rural living.

Coconut Lagoon South India