Resort & Spa
Kumarakom
A Hidden Gem In The Vembanad Backwaters.
Story & Photographs - Lt Col D Purushothaman Pillay (Retd)
Since late 2014
3 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice awards.
Certificate of Excellence awards year after year.
Every once in a while most city-dwellers look forward to a well-deserved and blissfully relaxing
escape from the routine, to laze, unwind and forget the daily stresses of the mundane urban life.
Invariably to achieve such relaxation they often visualize large expanses of water in the form of a lake, or a sea as a central ingredient to facilitate that de-stress and recharge of the human soul. It is for precisely that kind of a break we have such dream-come-true boutique luxury resorts like Park
Regis Aveda, that affords some of the most picturesque views of the majestic Vembanad Lake.
This well-appointed resort with a tasteful ambience has 8 Villas that include 4 Lakefront Luxury Villas with private plunge pools and 4 Poolside Luxury Villas. In addition there are 24 Poolside Premium Cottages,2 Lakeview Premium Bedroom Suites, 2 Lakeview Premium Studios and 8 Lakeview Premium Terrace Rooms to make up a total inventory of 44 various types of residences, for the guests to choose from. The resort also has an open poolside multi-cuisine restaurant cum lounge, well-equipped fitness gym, an ayurvedic spa, banquet hall that can host 150 guests, a business centre, a reading & recreational area and a private garden for the guests. It is an ideal location to indulge in every fantasy one may have regarding boating, fishing, swimming and water-sports. The resort also organizes regular cultural evenings showcasing local dance and art dive in, you don’t feel like getting out of it, especially the kids, they love these waters and continue to splash around all day. The comforting breeze and close proximity of the water to the many pool-view villas is another reason for its popularity as a lounging option. This infinity pool is like a literal extension of the lake, which also serves as a focus for witnessing some of the most surreal sunsets at its mesmerizing best in this geography, which is famous worldwide for its ‘Golden Hour’ spectacle. The glorious incandescent reflections of the crimson twilight sun, twinkle and dance in a myriad sparkling hues, on the shimmering waters of this rippling pool at dusk. Many including me, have captured some of the most stunning sunset images from this resort. After that grand enchanting celestial spectacle excellent food awaits the guests in an enchanting night-setting, draped in meandering blue ripples from the under lit pool-waters. The resort has some of the best North Indian chefs deployed in Kerala. Nothing much else is really required for a memorable holiday, when an expansive lake, an idyllic destination and a hospitable resort intermingle to co-host you to a feast for the palate and the soul.
Maverick businessman Mr. Prashant Chawla on one of his earlier Indian holidays, chanced upon Kumarakom and had fallen in love with the sights of this lakeside. He felt enchanted, at peace and a deep connect with this place. He then immediately renounced a flourishing business career in the US to fulfill his calling as a hotelier. He is a rare and charming personality blessed with a passionate visionary zeal, that has scripted this latest success story in hospitality, right here on one of the most scenic banks of the heart of the backwater tourism hub in God’s Own Country. He recently teamed up with StayWell Holdings, a unit of Prince Hotels, Japan and formalised a rebranding to Park Regis Aveda Kumarakom.
“Aveda” is destined to bloom into a bustling, much sought after resort in the coming years. The dynamic GM Jyotish Surendran and his enthusiastic team of handpicked hospitality professionals have set up a wonderful family-friendly lakeside haven of luxury. To sum up this hidden gem, tucked away along the untouched foreshores of the Vembanad Lake is a great place for both the intrepid adventurer with wanderlust and the reticent traveler in the quest of peace and tranquility, to soak up stunning views of the spectacular Kumarakom backwaters with its magical sunsets. It is certainly worth a visit on your next holiday!