Kerala backwaters help!
 

Hello,
We are planning a trip to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The overall trip is this:
Kochi-Backwaters-Periyar-Madurai-Thanjivur-Pondicherry-Chennai.
most things we have figure out, but i'm completely lost about how to best experience the backwaters. I can't figure out where is it better to stay - Allepy, Kumarakom, or elswhere? Closer to the beach and on the other side of the lake? We will not do a houseboat stay, but will stay at a hotel/homestay.
Can someone recommend good places to stay that will allow us easily to take some trips along the canals an see what's so special about the backwaters? we will stay 2 nights, so a good location is important.
I saw couple fancy hotels - Radisson (sold out for out dates), Kumarakom Lake Resort (too expensive at $500/night), Taj (bad reviews). would prefer to keep budget under $200 and a smaller heritage place/B&B/homestay would be lovely. A proper hotel (resort) would be good as well.
Any advice you can give will be much appreciated.
Thanks! We are going Dec 2008 (yes i know it's late, but going to a wedding in Delhi and it was just recently scheduled).

anyone???!!??

When i was in Kerala a few years ago...We did 1 night houseboat, 2 nights Kochi..2 nights Aquaserene Resort in Kollam (which were lovely cabins) and 2 nights Travencore Heritage Hotel in Kovalam.(which were also lovely cabins)...

Not sure if this helps, but i loved it, and for my level of travel the accomodations were just perfect.

Hello,
You can stay at a nice homestay in Alappuzha or Kottayam.Kumarakam is in Kottayam district. You can check into the house boat from Kumarakam and check out at Alappuzha, You can also make day trips in the back waters.In most of the homestays the tariff per night will be less than 100$. please send a mail to my email address and I can suggest some nice places
lachu

I spent two nights on a houseboat, and then stayed in Kochi, so I can't help with your question from personal experience. However, I see that the Malabar House hotel, where I stayed in Kochi (highly recommended) now has some properties out of town that might meet your requirements. See www.malabarhouse.com and check out the escapes section.

We stayed at the Marari Beach Hotel in Mararikulam. Whilst we were there we took a trip on the Backwaters from Allepey which was about 30 mins away. I would recommend you stay at the Rahim Residency which is on the sea front in Allepey. We ate there twice and also saw the rooms. It struck me as a lovely place to spend two or three nights in Allepey.
www.raheemresidency.com

thanks everyone for replies. what is the difference between staying in Allepy or in Kumarakom (on the lakefront)? Is the environment much different? access to canals/backwater? etc..
thanks