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MANEESHA PANIKER

Silk Route Abodes

SOUTH INDIA - Kerala, Cochin

Tradition, myths and untouched natural beauty meet here at Kayal, a resort hidden in a quiet island on Vembanad lake, India's largest lagoon. On a soul searching trip to this island, Maneesha Panicker, the founder of experiential travel outfit, realized she had to share the authenticity of this unexplored land with her guests. At Kakkathuruthu, the Island of Crows, she built Kayal, an intimate space where fisherfolk and farmers share their life with guests. Though not far from the ancient port city of Kochi, the island, connected only by traditional rowboats, is off the maddening rush of modernity.While experiencing the luxury at Kayal, you will be taken back to time when life was simpler.

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SPIRIT to discover
MANEESHA PANIKER
STORY to share
KAYAL ISLAND RETREAT
STYLE to experience
INSPIRED BY VILLAGE

MANEESHA PANIKER

INDIA, KERALA, COCHIN

Abode inspired by the village

What makes Kayal truly special is its bond with the island and its people. Their isolation makes them a close-knit community, and their organic life makes them a younger, happier lot.

Photo: Kayal Island Retreat

STYLE to experience

INSPIRED BY VILLAGE

Kayal is located on the very edge of the island, on a secluded stretch. The dancing waves and coconut palms are all you have for company here. It has been designed for the experience-seeker. For someone who wants to leave his world behind and immerse himself in the moment.

With only two cottages, Kayal is as exclusive as it gets. Each cottage has been lovingly restored with reclaimed and recycled material. The interiors are plush with comforts for the city slicker in you. And the exteriors have been fashioned after traditional Kerala homes. The tapestry and art in each room resonate the history of the place and its people.

The best way to experience Kayal is to put away all gadgetry, lock your watch up, and take a stroll into another era. You can walk or cycle across the island, stopping to say hello to the islanders. For those who love their me-time, we suggest a canoe ride on the Lake. But if you truly want to live the local life, join a farmer in his fields, the fisherman on the lake, the toddy tapper up the tree or the womenfolk in their local festivals. From yoga to Ayurveda, day trips to nearby Fort Kochi to midnight stargazing, the possibilities are endless at Kayal. So much for a place with nothing to do!

But what makes Kayal truly special is its bond with the island and its people. Their isolation makes them a close-knit community, and their organic life makes them a younger, happier lot. The staff hails from the local community, and knows just how to make you feel at home.

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