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Accessible exclusively by private boat across the swells of Lake Vembanad, a 28-acre backwater sanctuary where restored 150-year-old ancestral Tharavad mansions, Vechoor cattle conservation, and floating tea-boat rituals celebrate the living soul of Kuttanad.
Situated on the quiet eastern shores of Lake Vembanad in the Kuttanad region of Kumarakom, CGH Earth Coconut Lagoon is a pioneer of Kerala’s eco-heritage movement. The journey begins before arrival: there are no road connections to the property. Guests embark on a 10-minute boat transfer from the private mainland jetty, drifting past lazy coconut palms, inland canals, and traditional fishing nets before arriving at a sanctuary woven directly into the backwater landscape.
The property’s defining achievement lies in its architectural salvage. Over 28 acres interlaced with natural canals, Coconut Lagoon houses 27 Heritage Bungalows, 14 Heritage Mansions, and 8 Lake-front Pool Villas. Each structure is an authentic 150-to-200-year-old Tharavad—a timber ancestral home of Keralite nobility—that was carefully dismantled, transported piece-by-piece, and reassembled on site using ancient Thachu Shastra carpentry principles, where intricate joinery locks without a single metallic nail.
No two accommodations are alike. The Heritage Mansions boast two-story timber layouts with open-to-sky courtyard bathrooms, antique brass Manichitrathazhu door locks, and hand-carved teak pillars. The Lakefront Villas offer private plunge pools overlooking the vast watery horizon of Lake Vembanad, allowing guests to watch traditional wooden cargo boats (Kettuvallams) glide past at sunset.
Dining at Coconut Lagoon is an authentic tribute to regional Kuttanad culinary traditions. Ettukettu, a timbered central dining hall built around an open courtyard, serves regional Keralite buffets and thalis, while Aymanam offers waterfront seafood specialties highlighting fresh pearlspot fish (Karimeen), spicy duck curries, and coconut-infused stews. At four in the afternoon, the bell rings for Chaya Chechi—a local tea seller who rows her floating tea boat directly up to the resort’s jetty to serve fresh spiced chai and hot snacks.
Daily life moves to the slow rhythm of the backwaters. Guests can join naturalists for early-morning birdwatching near the adjacent Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, paddle silent kayaks through narrow village canals, visit the resort’s sacred grove (Kavu), or learn about the conservation of the rare dwarf Vechoor cows grazing on the lawn. At Ayurmana, an ancient wooden home turned Ayurvedic center, resident physicians prescribe herbal massages and oil treatments, completing a stay that feels deeply grounded in nature and history.
CGH Earth Coconut Lagoon is the ultimate benchmark for backwater eco-luxury in Kerala. We recommend Coconut Lagoon specifically to travelers seeking an authentic backwater sanctuary where real 150-year-old wooden Tharavad architecture, boat-only access, and pioneering environmental stewardship take total precedence over modern cookie-cutter resort luxury.
Because a stay at Coconut Lagoon involves selecting specific Tharavad mansions, coordinating private boat transfers across Lake Vembanad, and tailoring backwater cruises, every detail is managed personally by our curators. Connect with our team to arrange your stay.
Many of our guests combine multiple destinations into one seamless journey. Whether you’re planning a South circuit or travelling further across India, we’ll personally design an itinerary that brings together exceptional stays, private transfers and memorable experiences—tailored entirely around you.
