Coconut lagoon is located upon the Vembanad lake, one of India’s largest inland lakes with its own distinctive ecology that supports a plethora of natural life. There’s only one way to get to Coconut Lagoon: over the water. From their private jetty about a kilometer upstream, the boat ride over the lake’s gentle swells, past lazy coconut palms and houses, to the resort sets the tone of your holiday to come - exciting and novel, yet relaxed and nurturing! If you are a bird lover then Coconut Lagoon will give you many days of happy bird spotting. It will not be far-fetched to say that the guest cottages at the coconut lagoon are individual works of art. They were built from the remnants of old mansions -tharavads - that were once the family homes of the nobility of the land. They were brought here in sections and painstakingly reassembled by skilled craftspeople so that you could experience first hand what it is to live in these ancient and celebrated houses of yore. In homage to the environment that supports and sustains us all, they have their very own sacred grove in the property. It is a piece of pristine ‘forest’ dedicated to nature in keeping with a time honoured tradition.
The Niraamaya Retreats, Kumarakom is nestled on the banks of the Lake Vembanad with lush tropical gardens set around 27 luxurious villas designed to offer the breath-taking views of the serene backwaters. A collection of the villas offer stunning panoramic views of the backwaters from private balconies or open out to your very own private plunge pools and a sun-drenched deck. Many flaunt their exclusivity by way of uninterrupted views and direct access to the waterfront. The Wellness & Spa Centre consists of a large courtyard offering pure Ayurvedic immersions in a serene and meditative setting. The retreat also features an outdoor swimming pool and a performance deck apart from two restaurants designed to become gastronomical destinations featuring the finest regional and global cuisine.
Stay in independent, homely, waterfront villas run by a family, on a beautiful farm island, in the backwaters of Kerala. Staying at Philipkutty’s Farm is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the real Keralan experience in a fascinating location, with a caring family to look after you. It is a special place, as it provides something different, especially for those who prefer small, friendly places, and it is the perfect hideaway for the bespoke traveller. You are welcomed, looked after, and cared for by the family. Your privacy is assured, as the waterfront villas are entirely separate from the family residence, and independent from each other. The first villa, designed by Karl Damscen, a Swiss architect, is a traditionally styled, antique-filled, open plan bungalow, with sufficient space for two people and an extra bed if needed. The other villas, designed by Thomas Dominic, are in the same decorative style, but with a separate bedroom, living room and ‘sit-out’ facing the peaceful, palm-fringed waterfront. All this is set on a beautiful farm island, which was reclaimed from the backwaters of Lake Vembanad in the early 1950’s. The working farm, which practices sustainable/organic methods of farming, is two metres below the lake level and produces coconut, banana, fruit and vegetables. Accessible by road up to the bank opposite the farm and villas, it is via a ‘vallam’ (country boat) that will finally take you and your luggage across the wide backwater to the island.