We have stayed a Taj Kumarakom twice before and I have personally left glowing reviews too, but this time around things were very different and very dangerous
TL;DR : don't stay unless you fancy snakes and monitor lizards (both poisonous).
We wanton a weekend - welcome was ok, they don't have enough people I guess , and there is always a lethargy before some one comes to pick your bags from the car - it was the same for mine, and for a coupe of other arrivals I noticed - once you start unloading you bag, someone will literally scream from the front desk- "sir, we will do it" and come running over. Makes me very uncomfortable. I would rather do it on my own, or I wouldn't mind someone doing without making a fuss out of it.
We had picked the Heritage Room in Baker's bungalow specifically because it was near the restaurant and the only room from which you can get to the restaurant without getting wet in the rain - and the weather predicted rain. But it was all very sunny the day we arrived. They offered us a paid upgrade to the pool villa - that we stayed in the last 2 times and we took it - for 5500 plus taxes, the upgrades were a steal compared to booking the pool villa directly ( about 15k plus taxes difference)
But our happiness was very short lived. After a good biriyani and pizza and some excellent service at the restaurant while the room was being made and AC switched on, we were taken to the room in a buggy. The buggy driver ( I am so sorry I forgot your name) was very friendly and helpful. The rooms were much cleaner than we remembered it - they had polished the brass fittings atleast. The AC also was cooled this time around. We soon went into the swimming pool with my 7 and 2 year old kids and that's when we got out first shock - while we were in the pool, a 4 feet long monitor lizard came into our pool enclosure. To say our kids were terrified and screaming would be an understatement .We were literally stuck and couldn't do anything - if the animal jumped into the pool, we would have had no place t go. Fortunately it went into a corner and we got enough time to run into our room and secure ourselves - before calling the front desk for help. They came after a while. By then the animal was frightened too and running around but finally it found a way out and left. My kids an and we didnt step into the pool enclosure again. So much for the paid upgrade. The people who came to get the animal out play it down to be a common occurrence and that the animal is harmless - it's a bit poisonous actually and while adults aren't affected much, kids are. They also told us that it's good to have them because they keep the snakes away. Thanks for the kind and wrong info!
Later in the evening we went for complementary tea and cakes at the restaurant. It was quite good. The evening cruise we had during our pre-covid visit has been permananently cancelled.
My son and I went for cycling around the property and also played in the small (very small with a slide and swing) play area for kids. Zip line and boating weren't happening but the people manning the area were super friendly and helpful.
It was during our cycling that we had another animal encounter - this time a 3-4 foot black snake near the lakebed. It was lying on the grass there. My son was dismounting his cycle when he saw it and ran screaming. I was lucky because the snake slithered away just 2 feet from my leg. I couldn't tidently the snake - but it was quite big and black. The property played it down as water snakes. And I hope it was - because things are quite dangerous in this property as is.
Rest of the stay went fine. Food was alright - typical 5 star fare. The actual pool near the spa was good and the lifeguard there was super helpful and friendly,
Check out was a mess. I had three vouchers - 1 was Amex issued and not accepted for the stay rates I had booked. They couldn't verify which was Amex issued and which was not. Finally, ended up changing my stay rates to rack rate and then using the vouchers - my mistake I guess for not keeping the mails.
Overall, we had a horrible experience. We didn't use the pool in our paid pool villa, we couldn't walk outside because of the snakes and we couldn't wait to check out and be in the safety of our car as soon as possible.
The Kumarakom Lake Resort and CHG Coconut Lagoon nearby are much better maintained properties nearby and worth considering. Or stay in Baker's Heritage room and don't venture out
Names to mention - Pradeep who helped us with our bags and helped us feed the fishes, Surehs, , Vishnu the lifeguard/pool person on duty, the buggy driver and the 2 kids manning the adventure activities.
