noronha

We are going to Kerala in January, 2004. Could anyone recommend the best places to visit in Kerala and suggest some good hotels. We would like to spend one night on a houseboat. Where would you recommend us catching the houseboat. We love beaches. Could you recommend a good beach resort. Thank you.

Marina

Kenstee

If you're up for it travel to the Lakshadweep Islands. They're 200 miles off the coast. You can fly there via Kochi or Goa. The Bangarum Resort there is a bit rustic but beautiful and the food is amazing. Reservations are via the Casino Group of hotels in Kochi.

Casino, IMHO, runs the best hotels in Kerela. Check them out at http://www.casinogroup.com/destination.htm

Nigello

thetravancoreheritage.com

lady2byrd

Hi
Cochin- Historical city Many hotels of varying rates (Rs 500-6500)-depends on your budget. Top range Malabar House
Munnar- Hill station -tea estates trekking etc Again on budget (Rs500-4500)Top range Tea County
Backwaters - Suggest Allepey round trip
Try Manoj- [email protected] Overnight on full board Rs 4500 for two
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Spice plantation rubber wildlife etc Many hotels in varying ranges -Top range Spice Villagev
Beaches - Kovalam Varying prices . Top range Travancore Heritage
I live in Kerala Need any help /info drop a line at [email protected]
Cheers
Bibiana

lyall

I spent 2 weeks in Kerala in January this year - we flew into Trivandrum and travelled to Coconut Lagoon on the backwaters for 3 days (this is a Casino Hotel - already recommended by previous poster)- from the hotel we took a houseboat for 2 days - this was one of the highlights of the trip. All meals cooked on board and served on banana leaves! We then travelled to Periyar and stayed in the tiger reserve for 2 nights in a former maharaja's hunting lodge (the Lake Palace hotel) - only 6 rooms but with fabulous views of the lake and great service. Didn't see any tigers - did see elephant. We didn't go to Munnar as we visited Sri Lanka recently and did the whole tea country thing there and had been told that they were very similar. From Periyar we travelled back to Cochin for 3 nights - stayed at the Malabar House hotel which we loved - old merchant traders house converted to boutigue hotel - lots of wild colours, antiques and local art. This was in the Fort Cochin area which is very historic. Finally, we travelled 1 hour south of Cochin to Mararikulum to the Marari Beach Hotel (another Casino Group Hotel). We loved this place - very laid back, fabulous beach - miles and miles of white sand and only local fishermen on the beach. Accommodation in individual thatched bungalows with outdoor courtyard bathrooms. Excellent food. I can't recommend Kerala enough - it's fabulous.
We booked our trip thru' a UK company but their contact in Kerala was Companion Holidays (Kerela)in Cochin. who arranged everything for us - they were excellent. We dealt with Babu John whose mission in life seemed to be making sure that we had a great time.

kristie

I will be visting Kovalam in February and would be grateful for some information about the area - ie things to do, good restaurants and bars to visit, places to see, cost of living etc.

Many thanks

Kristie

JBTravel

I did a 2 nights 3 day stay in boat house starting from cochin to alleppey and ending in Kottayam... stopping for some ayurvedic massage.

Also, check out
http://travel.vsnl.com/palmland/treehouse for tree houses in Vythri in northern part of kerala. Never been there but heard they are good... and expensive

Nigello

Just stayed at the Travancore Heritage in Chowala, about 20k south of Trivandrum. Recommended. Great, traditional cottages used as your room, Ayurvedic centre which was very good and apparently highly-graded. Downside -on a hill above the beach, which you had to walk too, past new building work. Not a big deal, as the beach itself is large and expansive and has local fishermen on it. Other downside - a Church rings its bell sometimes, very early and then plays recorded Indian hymns. If you are near the bottom of the hill slope, you can hear it very well! But that is a minor irritant - take earplugs or request a cottage further back. Food simple but good, and service generally good.