Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond

Set in eight acres of lush tropical gardens, overlooking the famed Lake Vembanad, the Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond offers varied experiences centred around and beyond the Backwaters of Kumarakom. The retreat’s design maintains local architectural style featuring traditional motifs like sloped roofing, clay tiled roofs, and has an extensive use of stone, laterite and local timber.

Cobbled stone pathways unwind their way through the landscape to the scattered villas and the Backwaters. The relaxing living spaces feature private pools and are in complete harmony with nature amidst breezy coconut palms and tropical foliage.

Guests can savour gourmet cuisine overlooking the lake, dive deep into the region’s vibrant rural culture, and indulge in pure rejuvenation with curated wellness therapies. Niraamaya’s renowned wellness concept is a prominent feature at the serene retreat with dedicated Ayurveda Rooms offering holistic treatments, combining best practices of Ayurveda. Signature experiences include having tea by the lakeside at sunset, cooking sessions with the chef, Kumarakom village experiences, and the houseboat sunset cruise.

Location

Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond is located in Kumarakom village on the banks of the Vembanad Lake in the Kottayam district of Kerala.

Things to know

The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport (80 km); the nearest railhead is Alappuzha Railway Station (40 km).
The retreat is suitable for the differently abled.
The restaurants offer a choice of nutrient-dense dishes for the wellness-conscious
The retreat is only about a 5-minute drive from the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
A country canoe to explore the labyrinth of backwater canals is truly one of the best ways to enjoy the languorous backwaters.

Rooms & Suites

The architecture is redolent of classical Kerala architecture incorporating traditional elements such as the sloped roofs, mugappu (portico) and the traditional charupadi for the spacious balconies. The 27 villas are divided into three categories. The premium waterfront villas have a private plunge pool and direct views of the lake. Superior Lake View villas with private balconies are on a level above ground and come with stunning views of the backwaters. Luxury Pool Villas are a short walk from the lake and feature a plunge pool. The retreat also houses a sprawling 2-bedroom Presidential Suite with one of the best views of the backwaters.

Restaurants & Bars

Café Samsara is an all-day dining restaurant that serves, Pan-Indian, traditional Kerala regional food as well as global favourites. Every meal is cooked freshly and the chef takes the time to speak to the guests after most meals and goes the extra mile to customise your next meal. There is also a specialty restaurant, ‘Essence’ specialising in an eclectic array of regional signature dishes. Both restaurants enjoy distant views of Lake Vembanad.

Spa & Wellness

For the wellness inclined, the award-winning Niraamaya Spa offers a range of therapies and massages to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. Their signature massages and therapies and skin and hair rituals are designed to integrate the best from around the world.

For those looking for serious healing, the long-stay Ayurveda packages are all-inclusive packages that offer the services of an Ayurveda physician, massages, Yoga sessions, herbal medicines as well as meals prescribed by the physician. The programs cover a varied range of aspects of well-being including weight loss, detox, bone and joint care, stress, and anti-aging.

Experiences

Kumarakom is enveloped in the beauty of small man-made islands around the lake where travellers can catch glimpses of lush paddy fields, local fishing, or go on canoe rides through the network of narrow canals of the backwaters. At the retreat, guests can savour gourmet cuisine overlooking the lake, partake in cooking demonstrations with the chef, and indulge in pure rejuvenation with curated wellness therapies, delivered with unrivalled expertise. Signature experiences include having tea by the lakeside at sunset, cooking sessions and menu tastings with the chef, Kumarakom village experiences, and the houseboat sunset cruise.

Sustainability and Responsible Tourism

Niraamaya Wellness Retreats are deeply committed to sustainability by taking responsibility to take care of the environment, natural resources, and communities in all the destinations where they are present. The closely-knit relationship with the neighbouring local communities and involvement in the educational projects in the region help the wellness chain connect with the locals at a very deep-rooted level.