Kochi to Kumararakom was not too exciting a road trip, but we had greater hopes foe what lay ahead…and we were not disappointed at all. A routine drive along what was apparently a ‘highway’, but looked more like a narrow road filled with traffic, ultimately side tracked through thinner lanes flanked by unobtrusive rural dwellings…we went further into the interiors of this rural landscape, and the lanes thinned even more. Where were we going to land up…we were wondering. And then, the cab made a right turn into another alley. We passed barely 4-5 houses and suddenly, out of nowhere, there was the gate to Kumarakom Lake Resort. But once we entered the gates, it was like we were in a different world!
Kumarakom Lake Resort is an example of architecture and style so representative of its environment, that one actually feels a sense of oneness with the surrounding culture and nature immediately. The entire resort is spread over 25 acres of land, the entire property is on the banks of the lake and has accommodations are in the form of individual cottages, some with access to a lovely meandering pool which flows through part of the property. Using the open-roofed bathrooms feels surreal, and takes some getting used to, but is a ‘liberating experience’, to say the least! From the coconut-mould soap dishes in the bathrooms to the heavy double-hinged wooden doors with chaukhats and oversized brass locks & keys, tall suspended fans, wooden slatted ceilings and the thatched roofs and traditional sit-outs with carved wooden benches, the cottages offer a typical rural setting, which is best enjoyed by those who value solitude. The rest of the property has all the refinements which add to the rural experience…carved wooden jhoolas, statues, pottery, brass bells, candle stands and oil lamp holders. The restaurant serves delicious traditional buffets and the ayurvedic spa is the icing on the cake.
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