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Coconut
Lagoon
Heritage
Resort, Kottayam, Kerala.
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Hidden among
the palm trees on the eastern shore of Lake Vembanad, at the
mouth of the Kavanar River, Coconut Lagoon Heritage
Resort is set on an abandoned coconut plantation in the very
heart of these fascinating backwaters, and has been designed
to give the visitors and authentic insight into Kuttanad
life. The resort can only be reached by boat - a ferry leaves
from one of several "mainland " embarkation points
at scheduled times throughout the day - and its accommodations
consist of individual cottages called " Tharawads ",
the traditional wooden house of Kerala. Though some of these
cottages are of more recent vintage, many are well over a century
old and a few actually date back to the early 1700s. Painstakingly
dismantled and brought to their new Lake Vembanad site from
various villages and plantations in the surrounding countryside
where because of high unkeep costs they had been abandoned or were doomed
for destruction) these tharawads have been re-assembled peice by piece in
accordance with " Thachu shasthra, the ancient rules and rites of
carpentry, and set within the coconut grove's well-manicured network of
irrigation canals, all of which have been lovingly preserved. Each ancient
building is a veritable museum unto itself, and each has its own tale to tell.
The reception
building itself, for example, is a " nalukettu ",
a design that features a four-cornered open-rrof courtyard within
the basic structure. Originally located in the village of Vaikom
not far from Coconut Lagoon, it was know as " Kalapakasseril
Illom" - the workd illom signifying a mansion belonging
to a member of the Brahmin Caste - and was constructed in 1860.
The illom was purchased in 1993, at which time a team led by
Bhaskaran Ashari, one of Kerala's few surviving master craftsmen
still familiar with the traditional thachu shasthra style of
carpentary, went about the task of reconstructing the mansion
at its present location.
| The
Restaurant |
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Cited in Arundhati Roy's Booker-Prize winning best-seller, " The God of
Small Things. " the restaurant at Coconut Lagoon is renowned as much for
its superb Kerala cuisine ( vegetarian and non-vegetarian alike ) as for its
authentic setting, and is housed in one of the resort's most impressive "
tharawads ". Known as an " Ettukettu ", the building
incorporates two atrium-like courtyards under and expansive tile roof supported
by dozens of slim columsn, a design that enables the space within to benefit
from the slightest breeze. The restaurant is the oldest structure at Coconut
Lagoon, and it, too, formerly belonged to a prominent Malayali family living
in a nearby village.
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Accommadtion |
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Though all the cottages vary in configuration, and
some of the air-conditioned units are newly built replicas incorporating
only fragments of old " tharawads " that could not be saved in
their entirety, Coconut Lagoon offers three basic types of accommodation
: Heritage Mansions, Heritage Bungalows and Private Pool Villas. The
former have two stories, the upstairs bedroom gallery offering
particularly magnificent views of Lake Vembanad.
The latter are more compact, single-level cottages. Both are furnished
in alyny and jack woods, and retain all the charm of original family
homes, with thick, solid doors, intricate window carvings, and terra
cotta tile floors. Structurally necessary alternations have been carried
out with consummate discretion, ie., in keeping with the style and decor
of the era, and great attention has been paid to every detail. The lamp stands
in each " tharawad ", for example, having been
carved from old wooden hinges. Traditionally, of course, Keralites
bathed in the rivers - in rural areas many people still do - but Coconut
Lagoon's cottages feature ultramodern bathrooms, each located in an
inner courtyard boasting its own banana ( or coconut ) tree, so you can
shower al fresco under a starlit sky in complete and utter privacy ! |
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| Ayurveda |
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Ayurveda,
the Science of Life, is almost as old as the Indian civilization. It's
holistic approach, the efficacy of its therapies and the absence of
distressing side affects are some of its more salient features.
Throughout the world there is a rising awareness of the benefits of natural
health systems. Health in the ayurvedic view represents the
Harmony of body, mind and soul. It's pharmacopia is nature herself and
its diagnostic and curative tools have been derived from the invaluable
legacy of insights, experience and knowledge bequeathed to posterity by
its great masters. It is based on natural principles that inform and
animate human life. The Coconut Lagoon offers the following therapies at
it's Ayurvedic Centre under the guidance of an expert " vaidyan
" ( physician ) whom you may consult for a fuller understanding of
symptoms and appropriate treatment. It is well equipped with a
dispensary and qualified resident staff. |
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Coconut
Lagoon at Kumarakom is not accessible by road.
Please use the courtesy boat transfer.
Visitors arriving from Cochin connect the boat at
our Spice Coast Jetty located at Puthenangadi. Visitors
arriving from Periyar connect the boat at the Kavanatingara
boat landing.
Please check for exact boat transfer times.
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Child
Policy :
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Children
below 5 years will be accommodated on complimentary basis
without extra bed.
Children between 5-12 years with one extra bed
subject to a maximum of two children as per supplement given
above.
Children above 12 years with one extra bed subject
to a maximum of one person as per supplement given above.
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Other Facilities |
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Sunset
Cruise :
There can be few better ways to adjust to the pace of
backwater life than to spend the waning hours of the afternoon
just watching the sun go down.
Backwater
Cruise :
A relaxing boat trip through the maze of canals adjacent to
Coconut Lagoon is a fascinating experience, and a delightful way
to get a closer look at life in the backwaters On the southern bank of the Kanavar River, immediately
opposite Coconut Lagoon, is a small bird sanctuary, where numerous
species of birds, including Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy
kites,
Marsh Harriers, Teals, and several varieties of Herons roost
The Cashew Shaped pool, slightly elevated to give
a commanding view is popular including the honeymoon
couples who swim there in the early evening to the
sounds of Indian classical music drifting across
from the Garden Cafe |
Only
One Extra Person Above Five Years per Room Extra
person rate on per night basis Some
of the popular activities at Coconut Lagoon are
listed here for your information.
COMPLIMENTARY SUNSET CRUISE : Enjoy a sun-downer
while drifting gently into the setting sun with
soothing music from the musician on board the boat.
BIRDING : Kumarakom is a heaven for wetland birds
some of which are migratory and come all the way
from Siberia. A great experience even for the novice.
KALARIPAYATTU (KERALA MARTIAL ART) : It is said
that Buddhist monks took this idea to China which
later developed into " Kungfu ". Watch them perform
and also learn a few moments every morning at 06:00
AM.
INDIAN MUSIC : The Veena, Tabla and other Indian
musical instruments are a must in almost all Indian
music and some are even experimenting with it in
western music. Give your skill a try and learn more.
OTHERS Yoga, Eco Talk, Butterfly Garden : Check
Timing
. As rates are dynamic & keeps changing, please send us a booking request. We are sure to offer you best rates.
To speed up the response, please send a WhatsApp message
after you have sent the booking request. Please note booking request is not a confirmation. |
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Click
here to Book Coconut Lagoon Resort |
Mobile : +91-9810002772, 9810092772. |
Email :- reservations@ashextourism.com |
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