Coconut Lagoon, a boutique hotel on the banks of Lake Vembanad

The Coconut Lagoon is a boutique hotel composed of private villas, located on the shore of Lake Vembanad,in the Kerala backwaters. The particularity of this place is that it is only accessible by a 20 minutes boat trip. Hidden in a coconut grove, the tiled roofs of the villas are the first thing that you will see from the boat. The hotel is in perfect harmony with nature and the local life. Every buildings are old and authentic Kerala houses. Thanks to the many available activities the hotel is a suitable place for a family trip or for a couple eager to discover the intimate authenticity of southern India.

A historical village on the water

So calm, you will just notice the sound of the herons and the lapping of waves when boats are passing, it is indeed difficult to imagine that you're in a place that was the starting point of the spice trade a few years ago. All canals, ponds, rivers are connected by bridges, walk over the banks and enjoy the full experience of the backwaters. The Coconut Lagoon is a luxurious village on the water, it has been constructed thanks to the wonderful skills of the local artisans. The Kerala architecture is using natural materials like wood, clay, palm leaves and copper medals. Those of you having a passion for details will witness a minimalist elegant style: stylized work of the old beams, copper elements that are shaping the doors, glossy wooden pier ... Very old tactics and taste that have been refurbish to meet the present style. You will not find two identical villas! You can be sure to sleep in a unique place, a historical villa offering luxury contemporary comfort.

Three type of house are available:

• Heritage Bungalows: detached villa situated in a garden along a canal. With a lounge and small terrace.

• The Heritage Mansions, which we recommend for families, are independent duplex villas with 3 bedrooms and a lounge fully furnished with antiques.

• For a romantic getaway, couples will appreciate the Deluxe Pool Villas. Independent villas with a private pool and a hammock on the terrace to relax while listening to the birds of the lake.

The bathrooms are "open air" decorated in a Kerala style to enjoy a shower under the stars in complete privacy.

The freshness of a coconut, the sweetness of a polished wood, the rustle of the air passing through the blinds, the flapping wings of a butterfly, the sweet smell of an orchid, the Coconut Lagoon is a paradise for the senses.

Tempting experience: sleep in an open air museum

All the buildings of the Coconut Lagoon are authentic 'Therawads' typical family houses of this region of southern India. Abandoned, they were saved from destruction, dismantled and shipped here for a second life. The lobby, for example, is a house from 1860 that belonged to a Brahmin family from a nearby village. Having a Nalukettu traditional style, the house consists of four wings arranged around a central courtyard. The heritage is thus preserved in a traditional manner as well as in a spirit of sharing with travelers who can enjoy a real testament of the Kerala art of living and sleeping in an open air museum.

Service and activities

The buffet of the famous Tharavadu restaurant situated under a veranda is the best of Kerala cuisine: basil soup, grilled crayfish with rice from the organic garden of the property. Ayurveda menus having specific properties are also on the card.

Fort Cochin is the restaurant for seafood specialties. The menu is based on the catch of the day.

Theyyam lounge for cocktails near the pool, a place to relax while reading a novel from the library.

The butterfly garden is just an incredible place, especially in the morning. Sit on a bench near the fountain and watch more than 90 species of butterfly. Other animals present at the Coconut Lagoon, and which will delight children are the Vechur cows. It is an endemic species of small cows (less than 90cm). There milk has medicinal properties used in ayurveda. Being an endangered species the cows are protected by the hotel in partnership with the University of Agricultural of Mannuthy.

You want to boost your holiday? Try, at the Ayurveda center, a 'shirovasthi' care that has energizing virtues. The Ayurveda doctors will make a diagnosis for a cure that you can even continue at home when returning from holidays. The herbs used come largely from the garden of the hotel and are processed according to ancestral methods in accordance with the ancient texts of the 'Charaka' and 'Samhita'.

17.30pm, do not miss the departure time of the evening cruise! A relaxing trip on the Vembanad lake in a beautiful kettuvallam to absorb the life of the backwaters at a time when the birds and the sun are going to bed.

Athletes will enjoy Kalari lessons (martial arts Keralites) or yoga, as well as swimming and or fishing.

Various activities and tours can be done upon request: canoe or boat ride, visit the bird sanctuary, cooking classes, a show of Kathakali, a typical Kerala dance.

Alleppey, "Venice of Kerala"

Allapuzha, new name for Alleppey, means "land between the sea and the rivers flowing into it." Starting point of the backwaters, the interlacing channels and lagoons that winds through the lands, from here you can organize a journey in a house boat. Navigate on a network of more than 1000 km of rivers, this is one of the Kerala wonders. Admire the way the Kerala inhabitants lives in those "floating villages". You can even go for 24 hours on a houseboat to sleep and watch the sunrise with the sound of the kingfishers ... Magic! In order to respect the environment, chose a "Green Palm certificate" boat.

Awards

Conde 'Nast Traveller - "Coconut Lagoon is one of the top 25 destinations in the world"

Clients review

"Everything is right at the Coconut Lagoon, the beautiful setting, the surroundings, the regional food, the wonderful personnel. The atmosphere is so relaxed and open, and everyone tries to make you feel at home. Thank you all for a wonderful time and we hope to come back soon!" Logger Jacobus
August 2011