Vaamika Island

Romantic island in the north of Lake Vembanad; 2 restored Keralan houses and 3 villas share 7 acres of tropical gardens, a world away from the bustle of nearby Cochin

This backwater idyll is a fantasy made real. The original owner, Klaus Schleusener, bought this jungle island, dredged its swampy interior and created a serene lagoon dotted with islets (it was previously called Green Lagoon). He added a network of mini canals crossed by ornamental footbridges, and a low-rise community of rustic houses shaded by slender betel-nut palms. The current owners have expanded the number villas, but kept the museum of Keralan art. So is this the only island resort with a private museum? We think so.

The 2 Residences offer a rare opportunity to stay in a hand-carved Keralan house - an ornate confection of antique hardwood and red terracotta, shipped from the mainland and faithfully reconstructed with a few 21st century additions. Set in waterside gardens of buffalo grass, hibiscus and scented frangipani, each residence has its own infinity pool, boat jetty and personal butler. But nothing beats the luxury of the setting: imagine a warm night under the stars, a glow of fireflies and flotillas of water hyacinth gliding past on a gentle breeze. Escapism doesn’t get much better than this.

Highs

• This is your own tropical island paradise, accessible only by boat
• There's no traffic noise - in fact, barely any noise at all, other than birds, boats and the occasional drum of temple music drifting across the water
• The island has its own supply of safe, filtered drinking water delivered straight from the tap
• You can dine on your waterfront terrace, by the lily pond or in the museum - in fact wherever and whenever you like
• Most of the fruit and vegetables are homegrown - just taste that sweet, juicy papaya and love the passion fruit
• On a budget? Choose Casuarina or one of the Lake Houses; pretty stone houses for 2 people available at a more modest rate than the residences

Lows

• The outdoor bathrooms (or ‘bath-gardens’) inevitably attract a fair amount of wildlife. Expect a few bugs, creepy crawlies and the odd frog
• If you want a change of scene for meals, the nearest restaurants are a long way off (a boat trip to the shore, then a car or taxi)
• Unless you hire the Sunrise Residence in its entirety, you'll have to share the pool; neither Casuarina nor the Lake Houses have a pool
• The scruffy mainland jetty is a little off-putting, though a new one is being planned to the north of the island