So, okay, let’s talk about Kumarakom for a second. The thing is, nobody really talks about this place like they do with Munnar or Alleppey. There’s no dramatic selling point, no big ‘Instagram moment’ waiting for you here. What Kumarakom has, instead, is Vembanad Lake lapping away just outside your window, a backwater canal running behind your resort, and mornings that sound like this: birds, water, and nothing else. For all you folks out there looking for that ‘off the grid, luxe’ experience, this little town in Kerala’s Kottayam district is where you want to be.
So, here we bring you some of the exquisite properties that can easily add a touch of opulence to your Kerala dream vacation.
Kumarakom Lake Resort
This is the one that most people will have heard of and there’s a very good reason for that. This is a resort that spans 25 acres of heritage property on the shores of Vembanad Lake and it’s the sort of place where your villa comes with its own private pool and the backwaters are literally on the edge of your garden. The architecture is a blend of Kerala design with an organic, natural feel, as if it’s grown there rather than been constructed. The Ayurvedic spa here is one of the best in the area and it’s worth booking treatments even if you’re not really the sort of person who does spa stuff.
Coconut Lagoon by CGH Earth
Where the grand option is the Kumarakom Lake Resort, Coconut Lagoon is the soulful one. Under the CGH Earth banner, this is a hospitality company that takes sustainable and heritage tourism seriously, and this is reflected in the fact that you can only get to this resort by boat, which right away tells you that you’re not in the regular world anymore. The heritage villas were actually deconstructed from all over Kerala and rebuilt on this property, so you’re really getting the history in the woodwork. It’s surrounded by lagoons, paddy fields, and coconut groves, and the entire thing feels less like a resort and more like walking into a really beautiful, really old Kerala house with excellent room service.
Taj Kumarakom Resort and Spa
The Taj adds its own touch of polish to the backwaters and it is extremely successful. The resort is situated on the shores of Vembanad Lake and offers large villas that face the lake, an excellent spa programme that is rooted in the traditional Ayurvedic medicine of Kerala, and service that makes you feel as if you are being taken care of without ever being intruded. The sunsets on the lawns of this resort overlooking the lake are of the kind that make you sit silently for a while.
Zuri Kumarakom
Zuri is for the people who want the backwater experience with a bit of a modern twist. It’s very modern, the pool villas are fantastic, and the place has a great vibe to it, which is a bit more lively than the older heritage properties but still very relaxing. The spa and the lake itself are fantastic, and the overall experience is very well-priced for what you’re getting.
One Thing Worth Knowing Before You Book
Kumarakom is not a year-round destination in the same way. The best time to visit is between September and March when the weather is cool and the backwaters are at their most beautiful. The monsoon has its own moody charm but most of the outdoor experiences are limited. Either way, the good properties fill up fast. Browsing hotels in Kumarakom well in advance and locking in your dates early is genuinely worth it, especially if you have a specific resort in mind.
Kumarakom doesn’t demand anything from you. It just asks you to show up, slow down, and let Kerala do its thing. That’s a pretty good deal.
