With the summer holidays long gone and the Durga Pujas still a long way away, the heart was aching for a break to get away from the frenzied pace of life and relax and rejuvenate the mind in peace and quiet, albeit for a few days. And as if in answer to my silent prayers, came the invitation to visit Coconut Peninsula, an idyllic resort in Odisha’s verdant countryside that turned out to be the most magical monsoon escapade I could have wished for.
Located near Cuttack on the coastal fringes of the Eastern Ghats, a little to the west of NH16 that runs southwards from Calcutta, Coconut Peninsula can be reached easily from the city by rail, road or even air. A road trip, which will take a little over seven hours, would be ideal for couples and families, and would make your travel that much more fun and worth remembering.
Nestled in the lap of a vast and tranquil lake, the resort will welcome you with its old-world charm and impress you with its quiet, serene grandeur. Spread over an astonishing 30 acres, the sprawling greens on which the resort has been built is surrounded on three sides by 10 acres of the man-made Silver Lake, naturally fed by the seasonal streams of the surrounding highlands. And thus the resort gets its name.
Its design inspired by heritage architectural styles, the resort will surprise you with its contemporary interpretation of local, cultural aesthetics. Its ethnic décor, with false ceilings, wall panels, lamp shades and more, made with jute, bamboo, wood and other natural, recycled and eco-friendly materials, creates an ambience that is homely, warm and inviting. What struck me instantly was the careful thought given to making the experience of visitors unique and unforgettable. From its entry gates, you can arrive at the reception area in three distinct ways. You can take your car down the concrete driveway right up to the main building, walk down the pretty, cobblestone and palm tree-lined boulevard to the reception desk, or arrive in more dramatic fashion by being ferried in a boat across the rippling waters of the lake, under the intricately-crafted bamboo bridge, till you are welcomed ashore by your hosts at a spot adjacent to the main lobby area.
Coconut Peninsula offers guests abundant choices for a holistic and rejuvenating experience. As soon as you reach, you will be amazed by the plethora of activities you can indulge in to make the most of your holiday. Simply lie down and relax in solitude by the lakeside or soak in the beauty of the gorgeous sunsets behind the hills. Glide over the glistening waters of the lake in a gondola, or enjoy a spot of rowing and paddle-boating in the lake. Stroll along the expansive coconut and palm tree-lined avenues or breathe in the gentle and sweet fragrances of flowers as you take a walk across the promenade by the lake. You can even learn angling and spend time fishing at the Fishing Islet, a small islet in the lake. Relax and rewind at the resort’s Serenity Spa or work out at their Slim Gym if you are a fitness enthusiast. Take a refreshing dip in the resort’s swimming pool or simply float blissfully in its sparkling waters. The kids’ pool where children can play pool games will also be a hot favourite in warm weather. The resort’s expansive estate also provides an ideal setting for contemplation and meditation. A private ghat that leads to the lake has a peepal tree under which you can muse and meditate peacefully. An open-air amphitheatre allows you to enjoy cultural performances hosted by the resort, or even organise a private social gathering if you wish to.
A family destination in its truest sense, you can however also use the resort for business purposes. The Summit, a conference room fully equipped with audio-visual facilities and seating for 50 people, can be the perfect venue where you can meet and greet, discuss, debate, draw up strategies or celebrate your team’s success.
With its large open spaces, a puja ghat, an open-air auditorium which can be customised for conducting wedding rituals, a large banquet layout on the lakefront terrace and well-appointed rooms for your family members and guests, Coconut Peninsula also lends itself to social celebrations like weddings and other private parties.
So if you are longing for a sudden getaway, a restful retreat, a detox tour or simply a fun-filled trip with your family, Coconut Peninsula is the ideal destination for you. Here, you can enjoy nature’s serene beauty, soak in the superior comfort and hospitality, and make the most of the resort’s wonderful facilities, to turn your vacation into your most memorable ever.
The main building of the property and the reception area overlooking the main lawns are surrounded by lily ponds.
Architect, principal designer and owner of Coconut Peninsula, Soumyendu Shankar Ray, who is also the director of School of Architecture and Planning, KIIT University
A geomorphological study was done on the subterranean soil through which we found that water from nearby rivers seeps through the soil and enters the lake. So, though the lake is man-made, it is river-water fed. We have tried to infuse the flavour of authentic local Odisha architecture in the resort that recalls the rich architectural heritage of the state. Locally available rocks like granite and laterite have been extensively used as well. I am proud to say that unskilled, migrant workers, who came back home to Odisha at the start of the pandemic in 2020, assisted our engineers in building this resort.
Ventilation, light and the use of natural materials have been our top priorities while designing Coconut Peninsula. Traditional, contextual designs, which resonate with the natural beauty all around have also been our focus. Bamboo, wood, local textiles and recycled materials have been used innovatively to decorate the interiors. All our 16 guest rooms have been given lake and hill views. Our idea in developing this resort has been to avoid the feel of a hotel and evoke the feel of one’s centuriesold, ancestral home.
Coconut Peninsula is also trying to develop its own selfsustaining ecosystem, where all the food that is needed, including fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and staples are cultivated organically in the resort itself.