NAMASTE!

MANEESHA PANIKER

Founder & Director
IN HER TALK WITH ZUZANA ZWIEBEL, INTRODUCED KAYAL RESORT WHERE TRADITION, MYTHS AND UNTOUCHED NATURAL BEAUTY MEET. FLOW BACK TO TIME WHEN LIFE WAS MUCH SIMPLER AND SLOWER. HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING THOUGHTS, PICKED BY US.
IN HER TALK WITH ZUZANA ZWIEBEL, INTRODUCED KAYAL RESORT WHERE TRADITION, MYTHS AND UNTOUCHED NATURAL BEAUTY MEET. FLOW BACK TO TIME WHEN LIFE WAS MUCH SIMPLER AND SLOWER. HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING THOUGHTS, PICKED BY US.

In a world that moves at a breakneck speed, there’s a little island where time stands absolutely still. Surrounded by the great Lake Vembanad, modernity has kept away from its shores. On its secluded banks is Kayal, a luxury boutique resort. Inspired by the local architecture and curated with reclaimed and recycled material, the four cottages of Kayal speak volumes about the art, history and tradition of the place. If you wish to plunge deeper into the local life, you only need to step out into the village. But if its solitude you seek, just sit still. Hear the palms and waves whisper their secrets to you.

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KAYAL ISLAND RETREAT
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KAYAL ISLAND RETREAT

Rated amongst the Best 24 Hours on Earth and 12 Incredible Boutique Hotels in India by Nat Geo!

Kayal Retreat Island is the ode to slow living and simpler times created by Maneesha Panicker. In another life, she was no different from you. She lived in New York, worked in the bustling, mega metropolis and loved every moment of it. But home was Kerala. Its rich traditions and beautiful landscapes always evoked a sense of nostalgia in her, and a deep desire to share the stories of her home, with the world. She moved back to Kochi, a sea-side town in Kerala. And launched her own experiential travel company. Kayal, the latest project, is a boutique island retreat in the backwaters of Kerala. Staying true to the spirit of the island, she adds her own charm. She brings in her love for movies, theatre, art and design to the place and creates unique private boutique healing experiences.

KAKKATHURUTHU THE ISLAND OF CROWS

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 company, 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.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY

At Kayal, we truly believe we owe our existence to nature and the community we live in. We believe in growing together with the local community and we hope our guests can support us in our endeavors. When we created Kayal, we chose to embrace this life of the island folk.

To have minimal impact on nature, we used reclaimed and recycled material to recreate our cottages.

To promote sustainable living, we strive for greater local participation. We involve and engage the islanders in every way we can – from employing them and making them a part of the everyday functioning of Kayal, to encouraging them to share their stories with our guests. For our authentic recipes, we source our produce from local farmers and fishermen.

To garner greater awareness and respect for these local communities, we encourage our guests to partake in the island's traditions and culture. Our interactive theatre and art shows with the locals are not just expressions of creativity, but also identity.
AYURVEDA AS LIFESTYLE

For centuries the people of Kakkathuruthu lived in harmony with nature and with each other. This perhaps is their secret to looking younger and living fuller, happier lives.

Come join us as we practice slow living and the art of doing nothing. We’ve curated a unique Wellbeing Retreat that works perfectly for you. Come enjoy the pristine setting, the stillness, the lush greenery. While the place works its magic on you, our wellbeing itinerary will rejuvenate your body, mind and soul. We’ve struck a fine balance of yoga, meditation, good food and nature to cure you of your blues. And get you back on your feet. All programmes are individually designed after the consultation with ayurveda doctor.

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KAYAL ISLAND RETREAT
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KAYAL ISLAND RETREAT

For centuries the people of Kakkathuruthu lived in harmony with nature and with each other. This perhaps is their secret to looking younger and living fuller, happier lives.

The soulful touch of Ayurveda now comes to our boutique island retreat. We have recently introduced special Ayurveda therapies for our guests, by combining the timeless wisdom of the science with our own signature flair. The spa room is designed to bring nature closer to the guests, and make them imbibe the goodness of their lush surroundings. And the therapies are planned with our expert to give them the utmost benefits. 

YOGA & MEDITATION

In a world that moves at a breakneck speed, there’s a little island where time stands absolutely still. Surrounded by Kerala’s Lake Vembanad, Kayal Island Retreat is a four-cottage boutique private island resort. The only way to get here is by traditional rowboats. And when you're here, all you've got to do is give in to the moment and enjoy the yoga with yourself and our teacher. 

The place is meditation itself with the wind bringing the sounds from villages. The temples of Kerala have the most intriguing mantras and rituals. From bursting firecrackers as an offering to the Gods, to elephants marching and children bathing in the temple ponds, the old world continues to hold its mystic sway on the local life. 

AYURVEDA DIET

At Kayal, we celebrate all things local. Our food is a rich tribute to the local Kerala cuisine, and therefore uses plenty of fresh, local produce. For instance, we serve the Island's own organically grown Pokkali rice. Our menu includes the best of sea and river fish, caught off the banks of the island. You get to savour the best clams and crabs, prawns and pomfret. You can relish the traditional Kerala lunch comprising of dishes of varied tastes and colors, all served on a fresh banana leaf.

You could walk into our kitchen and get a quick lesson on your favourites. For those who love a tipple with their meal, we've got fresh toddy tapped from the island's palms. While lunches are an elaborate affair, we also have Health Foods you can have after a session of Yoga. We create fresh concoctions from fruits and Ayurvedic plants including Aloe Vera shots, wheatgrass juice and a variety of sprout salads. For those who love their tea, the Kayal Tea Ritual is a treat. You will be served hot tea, black or with milk, as per your choice, with piping hot local snacks.

LIVING SPACE

With only four cottages, Kayal is as exclusive as it gets. Each cottage is inspired by the local architecture and curated with reclaimed and recycled material. The air-conditioned waterfront cottages have been furnished with old teak cupboards, a reading area and desk for quiet contemplation and an ensuite bath garden for some serious rejuvenation. The walls are adorned with narratives of local history in art.

All in all, the cottages are aesthetically designed with plush comforts for the city slicker in you. This feature of our cottages is inspired by a local tradition. Before the concrete jungles took over our land, we celebrated our roofless, open baths – enjoying long, indulgent showers. The Malayalees are known to have an elaborate bathing ritual, which is preceded by a good massage. At Kayal we return to this tradition. Enjoy your bath in the sun and rain, allowing the gentle breeze to cool your skin into a natural, luscious radiance.

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KAYAL ISLAND RETREAT
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KAYAL ISLAND RETREAT
Hello there! 

I’m Maneesha Panicker, the founder of Silk Route Escapes (an experiential travel company). On one of my journeys, I stumbled upon a quaint island in the backwaters of Kerala. It was love at first sight! I was charmed by the warm smiles of the islanders, the serenity of the waters and the otherworldliness of the place. Here traditions, myths and age-old rituals were still alive, and how!

I knew at once that I had to share the authenticity of this unexplored land with her guests. At Kakkathuruthu, the Island of Crows, I created 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 madding rush of modernity. 

While experiencing the luxury at Kayal, you will be taken back to time when life was simpler.  

THE SONG OF THE LAKE VEMBANAD

At Kayal, the gentle lull of gurgling waters always surrounds you. The sprawling Lake Vembanad ripples by the retreat and surrounds the island. As you walk through the village, you will also notice small ponds with fish, paddy fields filled to the brim with water, and little rivulets dancing along to join the great lake. There's water, water, everywhere.

At Kayal, we've done everything to retain the rustic, natural charm of the place. That's why we've landscaped the gardens to reflect the innate beauty of the place.A huge cashew tree, a tamarind tree, aloe vera shrubs and plenty of coconut palms dot the place, offering you cool relief from the Indian sun.The water lily blooms in all its glory in the little pond at Kayal. You can enjoy your solitude sitting by this pond and gaze at these pink beauties.

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OWNER & MANAGER

MANEESHA PANIKER

In another life, she was no different from you. She lived in New York, worked in the bustling, mega metropolis and loved every moment of it. But home was Kerala. Kayal, Her latest project, is a boutique island retreat in the backwaters of Kerala.

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AYURVEDA TRAILS

Dedicated to everyone, who is searching answers to these questions: What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style?

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