About this hotel
General information
Kumarakom Lake Resort spreads across some 25 acres of gardens on the shore of Vembanad Lake, the broad, still expanse of green water at the heart of Kerala's backwaters. It is laid out in the manner of a traditional Kerala homestead: villas with private courtyards and open-air bathrooms sit among landscaped gardens and lotus-filled canals, while a 250-metre pool winds through the eastern side of the grounds, lined by villas that step straight into it.
Two old buildings were moved here from their original sites and painstakingly reassembled. An eight-sided mansion with twin inner courtyards now houses the Ettukettu restaurant, and a nalukettu house of around two centuries is home to the Ayurmana spa. The lake sets the pace of the day: each evening there is an hour-long sunset cruise, then tea at the Thattukada village tea shop, and at seven a programme of Kerala dance and music.
Location
The resort stands in the village of Kumarakom, in Kerala's Kottayam district, on the banks of Vembanad Lake among mangroves, paddy fields and coconut groves; the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a short boat ride away. Kochi airport is about 75 km away (around 1.5 hours by road), Thiruvananthapuram airport about 165 km (around 4.5 hours) and Kottayam railway station 15 km (30 minutes). Private transfers can be arranged from Kochi airport and Kottayam station.
Spa
Ayurmana, the resort's Ayurveda spa, occupies an old nalukettu, a four-winged house built around an inner courtyard, which was moved here in its entirety and carefully reassembled. Treatments follow Ayurvedic tradition with herbal oils: the signature four-hand Abhyangam massage, Sirodhara with a fine stream of warm oil over the forehead, Pathrapotala Swedam with herb-filled poultices, Njavarakizhi with rice bundles, the warm-oil ritual of Pizhichil, head-and-shoulder, foot and back massages, and an herbal steam bath. A beauty clinic within Ayurmana works with herbs, fresh fruit and natural ingredients, and yoga sessions are offered too.
Sports & leisure
Most of what there is to do here revolves around the water and village life, with the resort's guides on hand to shape a plan.
- An hour-long sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake, every day at 5 pm, for all guests.
- A lunch cruise aboard a traditional houseboat, leaving the resort at noon, drifting across the lake and through Kumarakom's canals and returning in the golden hour.
- Morning canal trips in a quiet motorised canoe, past water lilies, paddy fields and waterside homes.
- Guided visits to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, home to cormorants, egrets, darters, herons and teals, with migratory species in season.
- Guided village walks of about three hours and 5 km, a responsible-tourism Kerala village experience, bicycles with a map of local trails, and a sightseeing trip to Kottayam.
- On the water: kayaking, banana-boat rides and the Stabicraft speedboat, plus fishing.
- Pottery and weaving, and every evening at 7 pm classical dance performances and Kerala music.
- A fitness centre with instructors, and indoor games.
For children
Kids Activities is the resort's programme for children of all ages, ranging from adventurous pursuits to creative ones.
Restaurants & bars
Dining spans two restaurants, a waterside seafood bar and an evening tea shop; private four-course candlelit dinners with a bottle of wine can also be set up by the water.
- Ettukettu — a 115-seat restaurant in an eight-sided mansion with two inner courtyards, centred on spiced Kerala cooking (duck roast and curry, karimeen fish, appam and string hoppers) alongside Continental, Chinese, North Indian and Mughlai dishes; buffets at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Vembanad — a seafood bar on the edge of the backwaters, serving Kerala-style seafood with sunset views.
- Thattukada — a recreated village tea shop, open every evening, with tea and freshly fried local snacks.
- Pool Pavilion — a pavilion beside the infinity pool right on the lake, with only a handful of tables for dinner by reservation.
Swimming
The main infinity pool, with its own Jacuzzi, appears to merge with the waters of Vembanad Lake. A 250-metre meandering pool winds through the eastern part of the resort with direct access from the Meandering Pool villas, while the Heritage Villas, Heritage Lake View Villas and the Presidential Suite each have a private pool.
Rooms
Six categories, from the Luxury Pavilion Rooms to the Presidential Suite, are styled after the traditional Kerala homestead. Villas and the suite have open-air bathrooms or showers set in small courtyards.
A king-size bed, a 48-inch TV (55-inch in the suite), electronic safe, minibar, tea and coffee maker, bottled water, bathrobes, hairdryer, iron, free Wi-Fi and twice-daily housekeeping.
Presidential Suite with Private Pool
A traditionally styled suite right by the lake, with a private infinity pool, private courtyard, living area with work desk and a king-size bed. An open-to-sky bathtub and outdoor shower complete it.
Heritage Lake View Villa with Private Pool
A Kerala homestead-style villa with panoramic views over Vembanad Lake and the backwaters, a private courtyard, plunge pool with Jacuzzi and open-air shower; king-size bed.
Heritage Villa with Private Pool
A villa with a private courtyard, plunge pool and Jacuzzi, looking onto landscaped gardens and lotus-strewn canals; king-size bed and open-air shower.
Meandering Pool Duplex Villa
A two-storey villa with a spiral wooden staircase: a sitting room below and, upstairs, a bedroom with a king-size bed overlooking the 250-metre pool, which the villa opens straight onto. Open-roofed bathroom.
Meandering Pool Villa
A villa on a bend of the meandering pool, with its own bathing cove and a cosy sit-out leading directly into the water; open-roofed bathroom and king-size bed.
Luxury Pavilion Room
A generously proportioned room in a quiet cluster amid dense greenery, looking onto the gardens; bathroom with a Jacuzzi or bathtub and a king-size bed.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.