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| Profile
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| The
Kumarakom Lake Resort has operating and marketing alliance with the
Golden Tulip Worldwide (GTW). Golden Tulip Worldwide has its origin
in the Netherlands, where in 1961 a group of six hoteliers decided to
form a co-operation under the name Golden Tulip Hotels Holland (GTHH).
In order to increase its distribution channels, GTHH sought a partner
in the airline industry. In 1975 this partner was found in KLM Royal
Dutch Airlines and a new company was launched, called Golden Tulip Worldwide
Hotels B.V. (GTWW).
Nestled
amidst 10 acres of greenery. Looking out to a panoramic view of the
Vembanad in all its glory. And cosseted on all sides by swaying palms,
Kumarakom Lake Resort is a haven of peace and tranquility. Discover
fist-hand the true Kumarakom hospitality. From a quick check-in to a
leisurely room service. The first thing that you notice is the
view. And the lure of the cool, invigorating pool overlooking the lake.
Dive in, and you can imagine yourself in the lake with just the blue
sky above. Work up a healthy appetite to savor our Chef's masterpieces
- Thamarappam (soft rice and toddy bread - Lotus Appams) and Prawn Mappas
(succulent shrimp in coconut milk and traditional marinade). Kumarakom
Lake Resort offers much more than a holiday. We help you detoxify your
system, clear your mind, enjoy fresh wholesome food, fresh fish from
the lake and seafood, holistic Ayurvedic massages, Yoga and the opportunity
to be one with nature at its best.
 Kumarakom
Lake Resort Pvt. Ltd., was formed with the objective of promoting resorts
and hotels. The first project of the company – the Kumarakom Lake Resort
has been approved by the Department of Tourism of the Ministry of Tourism,
Government of Kerala and conferred the status of a Heritage Resort.
The resort has marketing and management tie up with Golden Tulip World-wide
(GTW), a company jointly promoted by KLM airlines, the official Dutch
airlines. The GTW has operations in all continents with over 500 hotels
in 50 countries and is one of the world's largest Hotel Operating Groups.
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| Backwaters
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|  Kerala
is a land gifted with meandering backwaters. Backwaters are large inland
lakes (both fresh and salt water) and ocean inlets which stretch irregularly
along the coast of the state. They are an attractive and valuable feature
of Kerala. The biggest backwater is the Vembanad Lake (about 200
sq. km in area), which opens out into t he
Arabian sea at Cochin port. Some other major backwaters, are Veli, Kadhinamkulam,
Anjengo, Edava, Nadayara, Paravoor,
Ashtamudi … The rivers interlink with the backwaters. Together they
provide an excellent means of transport on slow moving rice boats called
Kettuvallam. Backwaters are special for its scenic, unspoilt beauty
and the charming, slow pace of life along its banks.
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| Location
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| Kumarakom
Lake Resort is at Kumarakom in Kottayam District in the State of Kerala,
South India. The beauty of any tourist location in Kerala is that it
is always just a few miles from the nearest city linking you to all
major cities in India and to the world. And Kumarakom too is delightfully
tucked away. At the same time it is, equally and easily accessible.
Take wing to Kumarakom: As entry point to India, you can fly to Mumbai
(Bombay) or Chennai (Madras). From here, there are daily flights to
Kerala where, as entry points, you have a choice of three international
airports - Kochi (Cochin), Kozhikode (Calicut) and Thiruvananthapuram
(Trivandrum). All roads lead to Kumarakom: From the Cochin International
Airport it is a 70 Km delightful ride by road to the Muhamma
boat Jetty. The resort is a few minutes away across the river. The enchanting
boat ride to the resort from here will take less than 20 minutes. A
bridge is coming up here which will facilitate even faster access. From
the Trivandrum International Airport it is a 171 Km (approximately 3
hours ride by road) to the Muhamma boat jetty. From the Calicut International
Airport it is 180 Km ride to Muhamma. You can take many rewarding stops
en route. The nearest bus terminal, is at Kottayam, 14 Km away from
the resort by road. On a railroad trail: From Bombay, Madras or Bangalore,
you can take a train to Kerala. The
best place to alight is either Cochin or Kottayam (the nearest railhead
to the resort, just 16 Km away by road). Kottayam links you to all major
cities in Kerala and India with numerous trains plying this route daily.
From Cochin, you could also take a south bound train via the Alleppey
route ( enjoy picturesque scenery as the route flanks the backwaters
and the sea on its way).
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| Accommodation
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They are
straight out of a fairy tale. Cute cottages blending old-world
charm with befitting modern amenities. The intricately carved
wooden walls and the roof within the cottage are of hand polished
wooden panels. The front door is a sight to behold, banded
with handcrafted grass locks of brass. All furniture are original
antiques. Even the light switches and shades reflect an age when
time moved at a leisurely pace. Paintings by renowned artists
adorn the walls. They depict scenes from Hindu epics and are in
the temple mural style. Each cottage has a private courtyard
and a sunken bath set in a small open-air garden. Just imagine
bathing under a moonlit sky or in the rain! And that too in complete
privacy. The traditional windows have sills where you can
comfortably sit and gaze out across the lotus canals slicing the
front yard. You have a choice of 52 cottages consisting of Standard
Heritage Villas and Superior Heritage Villas.
Standard Heritage
Villas: Standard Heritage Villas offers scintillating view of
the lotus canal.
Superior Heritage Villas: Superior Heritage Villas offers a panoramic
view of the lake in all its glory.
The figure
of Gajalakshmi above the portico and the arappadi (cellar door)
in the front are enchantingly beautiful. This magnificent door,
presented by the King Devanarayanan, has a number of carved images
like Parthasarathi on horseback, Lord Krishna frolicking with
Gopikas and Gajalakshmi in the lotus-pond. Moreover, there are
many images carved in ivory. This grand front door now graces
the reception at the Kumarakom Lake Resort. |



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| Restaurant
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| Ettukettu
- The Specialty Restaurant: Holding court regally is the Ettukettu.
A multi cuisine 115 seater Specialty Restaurant (A/c and non A/c). It
occupies, aptly, a pride of place in the centre of the complex. And
lining one corner of the Ettukettu is the well appointed bar.
Stroll
leisurely down the verdant lawns to this magnificent traditional structure
which formerly housed a noble family. Park yourself and choose from
a choice ranging from Continental, Chinese, Muglai, North Indian or
Traditional Kerala cooking. Of course,
we proudly recommend you choose the latter. And rest assured, Kerala
cooking is not as hot as its counterparts from neighboring states. Kerala
curries usually have very little chilies and is mostly flavored with
ginger, cardamom, garlic, cinnamon etc.
At the Ettukettu
Restaurant, stress is on ethnic Kerala cooking. Speciality served here
include Syrian Christian Duck Roast, Duck Curry, Karimeen Pollichuthu,
Karimeen Mappas, soft spongy rice bread called Appams, Thamarappam speciality,
Iddiappams (string hoppers).
 Try
out "Karimeen Pollichatu" the banana leaf-wrapped Pearl Spot
Fish lavishly marinated in speciall spice mix and grilled. Kerala style
curries, be it of vegetable, meat or fish, are usually generously creamed
with coconut milk and often spiked with tamarind, raw mangoes or jaggery.
The first choice for breakfast dish is the "Puttu" (rice flour
dough layered with grated coconut and steamed in hollow bamboo cylinders)
eaten with spicy curry made of chickpeas. Once a week, the restaurant
has a cook-out where one special item is cooked right in front of the
guests.
Coffee
shop: Anytime you feel like a nibble, make thee to the coffee shop.
Hot packoras, samosas, dosas and hot steaming coffee. Your favourite
soft drink or a variety of ice-creams.
Outdoor Barbecue: How about a barbecue. In a golden sunset. Under starry
skies. Under swaying palms on a moonlit night. Right beside the pool
to the side of the Arts Centre (where the cultural performances are
staged). Enjoy tasty Kebabs while you watch Gods take centre stage.
Or the performance of a live band.
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| Pool
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|  The
first thing I'd like to do on arriving at Kumarakom? Take a refreshing
dip – of course. The chequered pool bordering the lake looks inviting
and lovely. As I laze in the pool, I take in the vast expanse of the
lake simmering and the warm afternoon melts away into a buoyant mellow.
The wind rushes along to meet me like a long lost friend, warping its
arms around me lovingly. While swaying palms, nod in agreement - as
if enacting a secret prank. Worshippers of the sun, here's the temple.
The tropical sun promises to give a healthy tan. The heat doesn't burn
as the wind, skimming the lake is cool and invigorating. And if really
gets too hot to handle, dive in. If the pool is not challenging enough,
try out the lake itself!. I pamper myself at the Jacuzzi enclosure.
The best thing is that from the pool I can enjoy the greatest shows
on earth. The sunrise and sunset on the backwaters, is an experience
like none other. Along with the side-shows which
are equally delightful – a starry night or a moonlit night. Intermittently,
I saunter along to the Ettukettu for a shot or two of my favorite drink.
Or a couple of beers. You could also order fresh fermented coconut sap
(Toddy), heady and sweet, especially in the mornings. After a few laps,
no one blames you if you're hungry enough to eat, like they say in Malayalam,
a whole elephant! Good enough for me. They have a barbecue in waiting
ready to dole out succulent seafood in traditional Kerala style. And
the choicest Mutton Kebabs, Mughlai style. Yum Yum.
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| Conference
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| Health
Club |
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|   While
at Kumarakom Lake Resort you can continue with your exercise regimen.
Our
State-of-the-art health club offers steam bath, sauna, cold shower and
a whole gamut of modern fitness equipments. Our certified instructors
will help you get in tune with your Programme. The equipment are well
maintained and the club´s ambience is rightly controlled to give your
health a resounding experience.
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| Cultural
Shows |
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| At
the Kumarakom Padippura, you can watch some of Kerala's finest artisans
in the light of the traditional aatavalakku (play light) and with the
scenic vista of the Vembanad as the backdrop. Call for a demonstration
of Kalaripayattu – the Martial Art form. Believed to be the forerunner
of modern day Martial Arts, Kalaripayattu will be performed by graceful
and nimble artists wielding deadly weapons. Or if you prefer, you could
enjoy barbecue to a live band playing your favorite numbers.
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