Coconut Lagoon Kumarakom- a CGH Earth Experience

The staff provides outstanding hospitality. The eco-friendly location and comfortable beds are praised. The extensive buffet offers diverse options. Proximity to Cochin airport adds convenience.

This was my third visit to Kumarakom and my first stay with CGH. We arrived late, so missed their signature welcome, though I did get a glimpse of it with other guests. We stayed in the Lakefront Pool Villa and it was everything I could have wished for. The villa felt homely, tastefully decorated with local pieces and perfectly placed between the backwaters and paddy fields. Mornings on the balcony, listening to birds and insects, were serene, while evenings brought the soothing sound of rain on the front porch. Early risers are treated to a glimpse of village life; fishermen checking their nets and racing boats practicing, complete with lively pep talks from their coaches. Dining exceeded expectations despite there being only two restaurants. Live counters are a must-try, though they can get busy and a couple of times our orders got mixed. A table number system would help streamline orders and I was glad to see Midhun, one of the servers, already doing this on our last day. He deserves special mention for his attentive service, warm interactions and eye for detail. One evening, we ordered Duck Mappas and were pleasantly surprised when the chef herself came out to apologise for a delay. She explained that the first batch had overcooked, so they restarted the dish. We truly appreciated her honesty and care, we hadn’t even noticed the wait as we were enjoying the ambience. Overall, the food is fresh, flavorful and comforting in its simplicity. The famous Chai Chechi is a resort highlight, bringing tea and snacks every evening. While the experience is charming, the crowd of phones and cameras made it feel less authentic. I understand someone posted a reel and made the whole thing viral, but I wonder how she feels about as it can be overwhelming to have a crowd clicking and recording constantly. The F&B team steps in to take orders and serve the tea and snacks which I am sure she appreciates. The main restaurant hosts cooking demos every evening, where chefs explain ingredients and steps in a simple, engaging way. I joined one session and witnessed a heartwarming moment; a guest patiently translating the entire demo for another, even though they had just met. These are the wholesome connections that make travel so special. The resort also runs different cultural shows every evening. I admire the use of local talent, giving guests a true taste of Kerala’s culture. Unfortunately, some guests would barge in mid performace or chat loudly during performances which dampened the experience. Anywhere in the world this would be considered extremely disrepctfuly behaviour for live performances. The staff needs to step in and set some basic house rules for guests. I checked their gift shop and was able to pick up some cotton tops/kaftans in local designs. They do stock a variety of items including toileteries and essentials. If you plan to visit during the monsoon season, expect it to rain at any point. There are umbrellas provided and holders to

Lovely resort with luxurious facilities and wonderful staff. Food was amazing and there were activities throughout the day to occupy all age groups including the boat ride to view the sunset. Early morning bird watching and butterfly garden ***** with the barn brings you close to nature and was a nostalgic experience. The staff always had a smile on their faces and was throughly trained to do their job, which makes every guest feel special and valued, regardless of age. Would highly recommend Coconut Lagoon to friends and can't wait to come back. Lovely place and amazing value for money.