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Pakistan Karakoram Highway Expedition
Pakistan
Purity is a remote and serene lakefront villa, set on the shores of the beautiful Vembanad Lake, on the tropical Malabar Coast in Kerala. Built in 2003, by a Florentine architect Maria Angela Fernhof, the sun-washed white stucco structure with red terracotta roof is filled with vintage Rajasthani antiques, temple carvings and a dash of Cochin's colonial style. At its heart however, lies her Indo-Italian style; pure snow-white walls, clean and crisp décor and a beautiful waterfront garden.
Nestled amidst the lush green vegetation, Purity is home to fourteen different rooms and suites. All are elegant and designer boutique in style with marble and green concrete floors, dotted with antiques collected from across India. Selective contemporary art hangs on white walls with equally simple, spotless and almost Kubrickian in style bathrooms. Dining is a highlight with carefully prepared meals based on the wealth of Keralan flavours & spices by Relais & Châteaux chef.
For relaxation, all Purity rooms and suites have their own outdoor space, with terraces and verandas overlooking the Lake. There is a swimming pool and a spa offering Ayurvedic treatments with 1-7-day programmes. Activities in the surrounds include boat trip on the backwaters, birdwatching in Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and the nearby island of Pathiramanal also a bird haven. Cultural sites include the 18th-century Krishnapuram Palace and historical sites in Cochin (Kochi).
Amenities
Bar/PubCoffee ShopConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableDisabled FacilitiesGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaStay Purity features just 14 rooms and suites, grouped in three types; deluxe rooms, garden suites and Vembanad suites. Each is individually decorated, in light and airy style, with tiled floors and splashes of vibrant colour on cushions and stained-glass windows. The palatial first-floor Vembanad Suite has a large living area and a romantic swing seat on its private terrace. All rooms are studded with antiques and come with a terrace or veranda with views out to the lake.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Purity, but there are no specific facilities available for children. There are four Vembanad suites which are ideal for families but Garden Suites, which are smaller are also spacious enough to easily accommodate an extra bed. Babysitting service can be arranged, on request.
Dine Dining at the Purity resort is headed by Relais & Châteaux trained chef who serves traditional Keralan delicacies. Meals are prepared with fresh local ingredients and the catch from the backwaters and nearby sea shore. Guests can dine overlooking the lake or in the sheltered courtyard. There is also a nightly barbecue in the garden, accompanied by a traditional Indian music performance. The hotel also has a selection of fine wines including an Indian vintage collection.
Relax The facilities at Purity include a swimming pool and a walled garden with spaces for relaxation. There is also a beautiful spa, headed by a knowledgeable ayurvedic doctor and his dedicated staff. In the surrounds is a Jetty and a waterfront Pavilion providing many areas to relax or take a leisurely walk and soak in the views.
Experience Guests at the Purity resort can begin their day with morning walk along the lake or take the hotels houseboat to view birdlife and Chinese fishing nets. About an hour’s boat ride is Alleppey, the start for backwater cruises, while nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers can visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Interesting cultural sites include the 18th-century Krishnapuram Palace with its archaeological museum and Fort Cochin. Alternatively, explore local villages near the resort.
Location Purity is in Muhamma, a backwater settlement on the southwest short of Lake Vembanad, just off National Highway 47 between Ernakulam and Alleppey.
Getting there Fly into Cochin International Airport. Cochin is the nearest airport to Purity, 50km away, the drive from there takes around 1-hour. The last leg of the journey is a scenic 5-minute boat ride across the lake to the island.
When to go Isolated from much of India by the Western Ghats, the climate of Kerala & Karnataka is tropical. The best time to visit is from January through to April. Summer is hot and humid; the monsoon season arrives in early June and lasts till August. While September can be dry and humid. There can be a little rain in October and November, cooling off around December and lasting until February.
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May 04 - 19, May 19, 2025
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