You’ve got to see it to believe it! Overlooking the magnificent Vembanad Lake and nestled amid strikingly tall coconut palms is the Cocobay Resort in Kumarakom. This is a backwater haven, in God’s own country. Getting to the resort is only the beginning of an unforgettable vacation. Accessible only by water, cruising your way to this island getaway will give you an adrenaline rush. The glorious and intricate architecture serves as a gentle reminder that you still are in Kerala, although the resort is at a considerable distance from the mainland.
Cocobay boasts of twenty-two air-conditioned suites with facilities such as a refrigerator and a coffeemaker. There are designer bathrooms for those who want their luxury. The verandah offers panoramic views of the picturesque island resort and the vast expanse of water beyond. But it’s the sunset that’s absolutely poetic. This is paradise for any nature lover. Waking up to the melodious chirping of myriad birds is a wonderful feeling for a city-tired soul. The resort also has a well-maintained swimming pool. You could just laze the day away by the pool, catch up on some good reading or just recline on the la-z-boy, soaking up the golden sun. The comfortable hammocks around the resort are always in demand! Then there is also a state-of-the-art yoga centre, perfect for meditation.
Cocobay ensures it caters to the varied tastes of its visitors. While the Chinese and Continental dishes are tasty, nothing quite tastes like ‘karimeen pollichathu’ and the ‘meen moilee’. A flautist plays some folk songs from Kerala while you dabble in your seafood.
sHow to get there
Cocobay Resort is located 70km from the Cochin International Airport and about 15 km from Kottayam Railway station. The resort arranges for boats to pick you up from the mainland.
Things to do
Take a slow boat and drift on the waters.
Go speed boating or fishing.
Visit the bird sanctuary or the organic farm.
Get on a houseboat and trawl through the backwaters.
De-stress with an ayurvedic massage.
Tariff
A double-bed suite costs Rs. 3,220 off-season (till September 30) and about Rs. 5,000 otherwise.
A family suite for four would cost around Rs. 5,000 off-season and Rs. 7, 500 during the season.
During high season (December 15- January 15) the rates are considerably higher.
For reservations, call 481- 2523200, 2523400 or email reservations@cocobayresort.net
