Taj Garden Retreat is 20 km from Kottayam railway station. Originally built by an English missionary 123 years ago, Baker's Bungalow, as it was then called, housed four generations of the Baker family. Set in rustic surroundings on the edge of the picturesque Vembanad Lake, the hotel has 22 rooms including rooms in cottages and in houseboats anchored in the lake.

The hotel comprises of a set of completely refurbished colonial bungalows on the banks of the Vembanad Lake. The picturesque lake and sylvan bird sanctuary nearby make you feel one with nature. The Taj Garden Retreat is easily accessible by land and water.

Types of Accommodation

Taj Garden Retreat, Kottayam have 22 air-conditioned rooms including suites.

Standard Rooms: All rooms are elegantly appointed and offer guest amenities like international direct dial facility, channel music and colour television with satellite programmes. Choose from rooms in the Baker's Bungalow (Old-World) or live in one of the hotel's anchored houseboats.

Deluxe Room: Old-World room in the Baker's Bungalow.

Cottage Rooms: 10 rooms, including 1 Deluxe Cottage Room and 3 Deluxe Rooms facing the pool.



Facilities

Restaurants and Bars: Taj Garden Retreat, Kottayam have the dining room, which serves Indian, Continental and local cuisine. It is open from 7 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.

Business Facilities : This retreat provides 24-hour copier/facsimile facilities.

Facilities and Services : Other facilities include travel desk, car rental, currency exchange, safe deposit lockers, doctor-on-call and excellent room service.

Recreation : Backwater cruises on a Ketuvallam (Keralite houseboat) and night fishing on a country boat. Speedboats, rowboats and fishing rods on request. Table tennis, indoor games, badminton court. Nature books and binoculars for bird watching.

Water Sports : Various water sports are facilitated such as wind surfing facilities, water skis, banana boats, speed boats, row boats, kayaks, country boats are available.

Ayurvedic Centre : A full fledged Ayurvedic Centre with facilities for massages, steam therapy, yoga and meditation. A 7 day / 14 day Health Rejuvenation Package is offered to guests.

Backwater Cruise: Sail on a boat and relish the fragrance of this dozy little town. Kumarakom lies on the shores of the pleasant Vembanad Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad, 12 kms west of Kottayam town. One can see large deposits of shells in the lakes here, that are usually found in the sea.

Bird Watching: Birds from all over the world flock at a sanctuary in their process of migration which is plentiful in south India. Kumarakom is one such place.