A Day at the Kumarakom Lake Resort in Kerala

chillibreeze writer — Aanchal Broca

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The brochures read ‘...perhaps the only paradise on earth…’ and once I stayed at the Kumarakom Lake Resort in south Kerala, I realized that they were not exaggerating.

Built on 25 acres overlooking the backwaters, what makes this resort unique is the ethnic touch that surrounds you as soon as you enter. The reception area is built in ancient Kerala architecture with a central courtyard open on four sides. There are 51 heritage cottages interspaced with numerous canals meandering around lush green landscape. Little wooden bridges interlink the sprawling lawns.

The inside of the cottages is amazing. They are modeled on the old and traditions houses of Kerala. There is a paneled wooden roof, terracotta floors, traditional furniture and mural paintings adorning the walls. What is actually commendable is the fact that many of these cottages are actually assembled from ancient houses that were dismantled from various parts of Kerala and brought here. All cottages have open-to-sky bathrooms that are like private courtyards with a sunken bath set in a well-maintained garden. Then there are also the pool villas that have verandas opening into the cool green waters of the 250-metre long swimming pool- perhaps the longest in Asia. The bedrooms here are a little more stylishly done up though the traditional theme is maintained. I stayed in a cottage that overlooked the backwaters of Kumarakom and presented gorgeous views of the rising and setting sun. After an exhausting day of exploring the treasures of the backwaters, it was sheer delight coming back. No matter how humid it was outside, for Kerala can get quite sultry, the wooden floors and high ceilings ensured that the room was cool. It was done up in soothing, earthy colors that instantly relaxed you. Though there was an air conditioner, I never once used it. Huge windows provided sufficient cross-ventilation. What I looked most forward to once inside, was a luxurious shower. It is just something else to be able to look at the twinkling stars above you while lying in a tub full of foamy water! At fist, it felt a bit odd to be ‘outdoors’ but soon I realized that it was an experience to remember. The accommodation was a delightful blend of the quaintness of the by-gone era and the amenities of the modern world. I would often be in a reverie only to be brought back to the present by a buzzing intercom, letting me know that I had an appointment for an ayurvedic massage or that my lunch was ready!

The restaurant here is an eight-sided mansion- again modeled on an ancient building style. The angular lattice work on the roof is supported by brown and white pillars that line the restaurant. There is traditional Indian classical music playing in the background which soothes your soul as you devour the quaint cuisine. I simply loved the traditional fare; most of all, the fresh sea food. The day’s catch is displayed at a counter and you could choose what you wanted your meal to be! Prawns, crabs, lobsters, mussels, fish…and more! Karimeen, a backwater fish, steamed inside a banana leaf was my favourite. I tried the ‘sadya’ or the traditional Malayali feast, which is served on a banana leaf. This vegetarian banquet is a cornucopia of mouth watering traditional dishes. Since there are a lot of tourists from all parts of the world, the restaurant has on its menu, almost all major international cuisines as well as those from other parts of India. For me though, it was Malayali food all the way!

I left relaxed and also enriched by a culture and lifestyle that I had previously not known. The Kumarakom Lake Resort was an experience. One that I enjoyed to the hilt.

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Aanchal writes for chillibreeze.

A Day at the Kumarakom Lake Resort in Kerala

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