Kumarakom has been a favourite holiday choice of many including former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee. Whispering Palms Lake Resort of the Abad Group on the side of the seemingly never-ending Vembanad Lake is tailor-made for the urbanite who yearns for quiet, yet fancies the pleasures of the city.
As you drive in, the narrow roads, small shops and cattle chewing cud give way to a manicured drive-in, a spacious lobby that tempts you to eschew the comfortable chairs for the parapet on all sides where the breeze lulls you to sleep. And the lake? You wonder whether it's the sea, for it goes on and on.
The cottages are well-built with bathrooms that have netted roofs that open to the sky and have bathtubs. The verandah that faces the lake is the right place to relax with a book. One does not feel like being indoors, with the outdoors so full of life and Nature. Flamingos, geese, ducks and wild fowl frequent the lagoon.
There are 12 lake-facing cottages, 36 lagoon- and garden-facing ones, bamboo villas, three of which have private pools. There are two suites. All are air-conditioned.
At the multi-cuisine restaurant, opt for the mouth-watering Kerala dishes such as the fresh fish curries and crispy fried prawns
Houseboats are lined up on the lake. And should you wish to go fishing, you can, with a fishing line, of course, not on the boat, but from the banks of the lake! There is a big pool to swim in a few feet awayfrom the lake. The ayurvedic rejuvenation centre, health club, conference hall and travel desk are the additional facilities.
How to get there
The resort is 80 km from the Nedumbassery International airport. From Kochi, it’s an hour’s speedboat ride. The nearest railway station is Kottayam, 20 km
Things to do
Take a houseboat ride
Read a book on the banks of the lake
Take a plunge in the pool to beat the heat
Tariff
(Including breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Lake facing cottages cost Rs. 8,500, lagoon/garden facing cottages cost Rs. 7,500, bamboo villas with pools and suites cost Rs. 12,500
There is a special package on for Rs. 9,100 per room on a twin-sharing basis
For details, call 0481-2523623, 2523824
WHISPERING PALMS LAKE RESORT, KUMARAKOM
USP: Breeze Unlimited
