Best Time to Visit Boat House in Kerala
Are yous looking for the best places to stay in Kerala?
During my fourth dimension traveling around Kerala, I visited well over 20 hotels and accept seen some quite unique places to stay in this role of India.
What I want to share with you hither are my favorite hotels to give y'all an idea of where to stay in Kerala.
I was fortunate enough to see a very wide range of hotels. From unique to luxury and eco-friendly. So I hope this listing offers something for any type of traveler.
Where to Stay in Kerala
one. Spice Hamlet – Thekkady
I wanted to start my list of best places to stay in Kerala with Spice Hamlet not because it's the all-time hotel in Kerala but because it's the virtually eco-friendly hotel I have seen in Kerala.
Spice Village is created to look similar what the tribal villages of the local Manan tribe looked like. With a lot more luxury and comforts that is, but it creates a great atmosphere and makes this quite a unique identify to stay in Kerala.
And what for me gives Spice Village even more than value is the fact that it truly is an eco-friendly resort.
For starters, they offer reusable glass bottles and reusable shampoo bottles in the room instead of plastic. But information technology goes much further than that.
They utilize reclaimed wood for their furniture and utilize solar panels for most of their free energy. They get most of their fruit, vegetables, and spices from their own organic garden, and their food waste is used as compost.
Plus, Spice Village doesn't offering air-conditioning (simply information technology really isn't that hot in this role of Kerala) and they fifty-fifty have a paper making heart, where they make paper out of old newspapers and magazines!
Also Read: What is Ecotourism?
The nutrient at Spice Village is delicious, they have a nice pond puddle, an Ayurveda center, and friendly staff.
The cottages yous stay in are comfortable and the whole resort has a very peaceful vibe. It'south a great place to relax and get abroad from information technology all!
Tip: the hotel is perfectly located if yous program to visit the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Note: if you want to stay in this area but are looking for a bit more luxury, besides cheque out Kofiland Resort. I did non stay at this resort but several of the people I traveled with did, and they all loved it. Plus the resort has cool looking bungalows on stilts!
Click here for rates & details of Spice Village.
2. Lake Palace – Thekkady
If you want to become away from it all, Lake Palace might exist the place for you!
Lake Palace is one of the former summer palaces of the King of Travancore, located on an isle in the middle of the Periyar Lake. With its antique interior, it looks as if non much has changed since the palace was turned into a resort, which gives it that erstwhile world charm.
It takes about 20 minutes past boat to get to this small, half-dozen room resort. And considering it is located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve, you might only exist lucky enough to meet a herd of elephants hanging around the lake.
Go on a trek to explore more than of the reserve or only relish the peace and repose on this isle.
Because it is such a small and quiet resort on a private island I wouldn't recommend spending more than a couple of nights here. Only it is definitely a unique identify to stay in Kerala and you lot volition become a better agreement of how the British rulers used to escape the rut.
3. Vythiri Resort – Wayanad
As I mention in my article about why you should visit Kerala, Kerala'south nature is incredible and that'southward ane of the main reasons people come to this office of Republic of india.
Therefore I recall picking hotels or resorts that are surrounded by Kerala's stunning nature are the best way to bask this state. And that'southward exactly why Vythiri Resort is one of my favorite resorts in Kerala.
Kickoff of all the resort is located in Wayanad, which is one of my favorite parts of Kerala considering of its unspoiled nature and slightly cooler climate. And on top of that, the resort is prepare in a lush tropical rainforest with monkeys welcoming you whenever y'all exit your room!
You can choose to stay in a cute cottage, a villa with individual puddle or in one of their treehouses. Their spa is not bad, they have a pool, good nutrient, and friendly staff.
This is a swell place from which to explore the wildlife sanctuaries in the region, get hiking, or bank check out nearby Pookode Lake. If you would ask me where to stay in Kerala, this is definitely one of the first places that come to heed!
Tip: if you are looking for even more luxury, check out Vythiri Village, a v-star luxury resort in the same area.
Click here for rates and details of Vythiri Resort
4. Go Camping
Camping in Kerala was one of my favorite experiences. Sitting around a campfire at dark and waking up to the sounds of nature in the morning… Perfect!
There are many river camps and mountain camps to choose from, and many will combine it with a trek through nature. We stayed at Kalypso Military camp (run across the map at the end of this article), but in that location are many different camping ground options in Kerala.
Camping can range from very elementary tents to glamping in luxury. Whatever fits your needs and budget!
Booking.com offers a skillful selection of options.
5. Stay on a Houseboat on Kerala's Backwaters
When you visit Kerala you lot really tin't miss the beautiful backwaters.
Picture a vast network of canals, lakes, and rivers surrounded by lush greenery with local houses dotted along the riverbeds. Spending the night on a houseboat in these backwaters has become i of the almost popular things to do in Kerala.
Large kettuvallams (traditional boats, originally used to transport fish, rice and spices) accept been converted into houseboats ranging from relatively simple to very luxurious.
I stayed on one of Rainbow Cruises' houseboats. We boarded the boat in the afternoon, cruised around the expanse for a few hours until we docked for the night and were served a succulent meal on the boat.
Information technology's a very relaxing experience and a great fashion to run into a function of the backwaters.
If you lot are curt on time you can opt for just a day prowl or you tin can stay on board several days to embrace more than distance.
Houseboats are bachelor at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Allappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Kasaragod. And these days there are more than than 1500 houseboats to choose from in Kerala!
Note: I loved exploring the backwaters on a houseboat. Unfortunately, shortly later my trip, I learned about some of the negative effects this type of tourism is having.
Many locals depend on the marine environment for their livelihoods and well-being. They fish, they apply the h2o for rice farming, to wash their clothes, to cook, and to bathe.
The polluting diesel engines on these houseboats and the growing number of them, have polluted the water in many places. Depleted fish stocks and boatmen who discharge human being and other waste directly into the lake rather than pay to dispose of information technology properly, are causing large bug for the local population.
So every bit long as in that location are no solar-powered houseboats, this tin can't be chosen sustainable tourism.
If you visit Kerala's backwaters and decide non to stay on these houseboats, I would recommend staying in a nearby hotel or homestay (come across below for options) and renting a not-motorized boat or bicycle to explore the area (we went kayaking, which was great fun!).
6. Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty – Kochi
The Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty is the place to be if you lot are looking for a luxury hotel in Kerala'southward second-largest city, Kochi.
It's a luxurious, modern, waterfront resort with 264 spacious rooms, an indoor and outdoor pool and all the facilities you expect from a Grand Hyatt.
Some of the all-time nutrient I have had in Kerala was at this resort and I loved the friendly staff.
Yep, it might exist splurging a scrap, but I can highly recommend this resort every bit ane of the best luxury resorts in Kerala!
If yous are flying in and out of Kerala you are very likely to either arrive in Kochi or get out from Kochi. The Grand Hyatt and so is a slap-up choice for a luxurious kickoff and/or end of your trip to Kerala.
Click here for rates and details of the M Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty
7. The Raviz Resort & Spa Ashtamudi – Kollam
If you lot are looking for a resort to relax at that is close to a metropolis, beaches, and Kerala'southward famous backwaters, then the Raviz Resort & Spa Ashtamudi is a nifty choice.
The resort is located merely outside of Kollam, which for me was perfect: it's a short taxi or rickshaw ride into the urban center, just far plenty away to not experience as if you are staying in a busy Indian city.
The resort is assault the Ashtamudi Lake and offers rooms with great views, a beautiful pool, and a great spa. It'southward a popular place to stay in Kerala for honeymooners and offers proficient value for money.
Tip: the first week of November the Ashtamudi Lake transforms into a venue for a traditional snake boat race – the President's Trophy Boat Race, with the resort equally a backdrop.
Click here for rates and details of the Raviz Resort & Spa Ashtamudi
8. The Raviz Kovalam
Are you planning a luxury trip to Kerala? Then definitely check out the Raviz Kovalam (formerly called the Leela).
This 5-star beach resort is located in a cute littoral town with a very laid back experience. The resort has a beautiful infinity pool and a great heaven bar.
Tip: if yous are flying into or out of Trivandrum Airport and don't experience like staying in Trivandrum, this is a practiced loftier-end hotel choice. It'southward located only about a 30 minutes drive from the airport.
Click here for rates and details of the Raviz Kovalam
Homestays in Kerala – An Alternative to Hotels in Kerala
In all honesty, I wish I knew more than about homestays in Kerala.
One of the reasons why I was looking forward to traveling to Kerala was because I had heard great things near Kerala's sustainable tourism efforts.
And equally much as I enjoyed staying at a range of Kerala's luxury hotels, almost were either owned by rich Indian families or part of international chains, which makes me wonder how much money actually ends up with the local customs.
When I recently traveled around Sri Lanka I really enjoyed staying at homestays: local families who added a few rooms to their house or built a couple of cottages in their back yard to host travelers. It was a more local experience and it gave me the opportunity to have some great conversations with local families and swallow some delicious home-cooked meals.
I was hoping for that same homestay experience in Kerala. Unfortunately, the few homestays I came to know in Kerala all seemed to be owned by much wealthier Indians and felt more like B&Bs or bazaar hotels than the homestay experience I was hoping for.
That being said, I just saw a few homestays in Kerala, and so in that location might exist dissimilar options.
And even though the ones I visited were different from what I hoped, the B&B or bazaar hotel experience is still a peachy one. And your money is more than probable to stop upwards staying in the community than if you cull to stay in an international hotel.
In curt, I would definitely recommend trying a homestay in Kerala. I would choose smaller places and read reviews from other travelers to come across if information technology's the type of homestay yous would enjoy.
Booking.com offers a adept range of homestays with reviews. The Kerala tourism lath offers a list of homestays in Kerala here.
Map of Where to Stay in Kerala
As well Read:
- Why Visit Kerala? Even if You Don't Think You'll Like Republic of india!
- All-time Places to Visit & Things to Practise in Kerala
- An Insider's Guide to What to Run across & Do in Delhi
- Traveling to Madurai, Tamil Nadu – What to Meet & Do
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Disclaimer: I want to thank the Kerala tourism board for inviting me to travel to Kerala and meet so many of the best places to stay in Kerala. Although my hotel stays were sponsored by them, of course all opinions shared here are my own.
This post about where to stay in Kerala contains affiliate links. I may receive a committee for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you.
Source: https://www.spendlifetraveling.com/where-to-stay-in-kerala/
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