Nestled amidst Kerala’s serene backwaters, Gokulam Grand Resort & Spa, Kumarakom, offers a perfect escape into God’s Own Country to witness its enchanting blend of luxury, comfort, and natural beauty.

I was excited to experience the serene sanctuary and be greeted by the gentle lapping of the waters, the rustling of palm leaves, and the promise of a retreat unlike any other. Gokulam Grand Resort & Spa, Kumarakom, recently nominated among the top 10 hotels in India on TripAdvisor surely promises an unforgettable experience.

After a 2-hour journey, I reached this wonderful green resort. Welcomed with a traditional garland and a refreshing drink, I was greeted by the Duty Manager, Neved Kallalathil, who received me in the absence of the GM. We then headed to the CREEK, a 100-cover multi-cuisine restaurant, where I enjoyed traditional snacks and juice while learning about the property. The CREEK serves delicious food, including an impressive breakfast spread.

Nestled on the serene backwaters of Kumarakom, on the banks of Vembanad Lake, the longest backwater lake, this elegant 5-star resort is abundantly blessed with nature’s beauty – backwaters, coconut groves, exotic birds, and serene sunsets. The resort consists of 69 rooms: 51 well-appointed rooms ranging from 435 to 462 sqft, 17 luxury cottages including pool villas and lake view villas, and a solo presidential suite spanning 1171 sqft. The suite features a private pool villa overlooking the backwaters, complemented by a picturesque swimming pool. It offers an opportunity to experience everything from the colorful local culture, mouth-watering cuisine, to the rich repository of flora and fauna, all immersed in luxury.

Major hotel facilities apart from the swimming pool include a nice health club, a rejuvenating ayurvedic spa (which I experienced and was quite relaxing), sports like table tennis, carom board, chess, foosball, badminton, etc.

This luxury resort offers a wide variety of activities such as canal boating, kayaking, fishing, cycling, etc. Inspired by Kumarakom’s backwaters, the resort has uniquely created a canal boating experience by the spectacular villas of the resort. For cycling, they have long stretches of pathways around the property. Guests can choose a bike of their choice to see the beautiful resort in its lush greenery and blue waters of Kumarakom or use it as an exercising tool. I felt that this can also be a great walking path for fitness enthusiasts who love morning/evening walks.

Every evening they have a sunset cruise on the lake for guests who would like to relish the sunset in the waters. I feel it’s an experience not to be missed and also an opportunity to mix with your fellow guests. Overlooking the pool, they also have special yoga sessions for yoga enthusiasts.

Fishing is a major activity in the backwaters of Kerala. They have bridges spread across the resort where you can bring your fishing rods and catch some fishes from the canals below.

The next day I caught up with the soft-spoken Soby George, General Manager at Gokulam Grand Resort & Spa, Kumarakom. He was beaming with pride as he mentioned, “While it’s no surprise that Gokulam Grand Resort & Spa, Kumarakom is the number 1 resort in Kumarakom on TripAdvisor, it was a delight for us all to know when Travellers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best Hotels announced that our resort is among the top 10 hotels in India.” For the novice, The Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel. It’s awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the TripAdvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of 8 million listings, less than 1% achieve this milestone.

Soby George showed me the banqueting spaces that included Sabari Hall. Spread over 2615 sq ft, Sabari Hall can cater for 180 covers in theatre style. “We are already in the process of constructing a huge MICE venue for a capacity of 800 pax. It will be the largest such venue in the surrounding area. The whole aim is to attract grand weddings,” said Soby George.

If you’re looking for one of the best backwater retreats in Kerala, surrounded by nature’s beauty, this resort assures an unparalleled experience. Immerse yourself in its luxury rooms, indulge in a traditional Ayurvedic spa treatment, try the local delicious cuisine, go on a beautiful sunset cruise, and witness the beauty of Kerala at this epic nature retreat – Gokulam Grand Resort & Spa, Kumarakom.