Kumarakom Lake Resort on Lake Vembanad in Kerala
I visited Kumarakom Lake Resort in February 2011 at the very end of a wonderful trip on the Golden chariot luxury train. The trip had started in Bengaloru and we had indeed stayed at The Paul which is a charming very new hotel also owned by the same people as Kumarakom Lake Resort. It was a really enjoyable but brief experience and so it was entirely fitting that the end of the luxury train journey should end for us as guests at Kumarakom Lake. The speedboat was sent to collect us from the end of the rail journey’s happy luncheon. It was a total delight to speed towards this lovely resort.
Kerala
I know and love Kerala but this was my first time with them and it lived up to its award winning reputation. The Management were kind enough to give us the presidential villa which was truly sublime; elegant lounge and dining room, a large beautifully appointed bedroom with outside bathroom, a second smaller bathroom, a porch with lovely lounger chairs…and…and … the most lovely private pool overlooking the tranquil lake. Could anyone ask for more?
Graham and I just loved it all and the grounds of KLR are beautifully maintained and the other pool villas looked very good too…they all are placed on either side of a ribbon of azure clear water…a sort of ribbon pool that gives their guests a chance to enjoy a private pool experience as well. In fact the large infinity pool also overlooks the lake and is beautiful. The sunset cruise was good…Graham went on that but I enjoyed a wonderful full body massage in the Ayurvedic Spa. The young masseuse was most diligent and I came away refreshed and relaxed.
Favourite memories
My most favourite memories are waking with the dawn chorus and going out and sitting at the edge of our pool quietly observing the birdlife with a welcome cup of tea, or watching the sun go down in the evening …quite mesmerizing. This is a lovely place to which we returned once again last year when in the area during September and were welcomed for lunch. Naturally seafood and fish feature prominently but in the buffet menu there is a huge selection of good curries and others dishes. I suggested to them to take the initiative about providing a good choice of teas…people and generally western tea drinkers these days are quite selective about their tea drinking. I have made a photo gallery of our time there which can be accessed through the link below.
This morning I woke in cold autumnal Scotland and my first thoughts after stretching aching limbs was…you have guessed ….to be taken by magic to that sublime private pool and its limpid warm water and just to glory in the sunshine and the birdlife and watch Keralan days unfold….. A small heaven on earth.
Update November 2013
In February 2013 we returned to Kumarakom for four glorious days and had a heritage villa with its own little pool and Jacuzzi in a private courtyard off the outdoor bathroom. It was sheer bliss and we divided our time between that and the infinity pool looking out on to the great placid lake with all of life going on. We loved watching the kingfishers and the pond herons early in the dawn light.
Now HRH Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are going to be spending some private time at Kumarakom Lake Resort and they could not have picked a finer place. Indeed Graham and I are booked to spend three weeks there at the end of January 2014 which will guarantee us the relaxation and swimming and good cuisine in idyllic surroundings that make for a memorable holiday.