Accommodation (Kerala)

Good budget homestays to ultra luxury glamps (camps of glass cubicles), accommodation in Kerala varies depending upon what you need and how much you are willing to pay for it. We have mentioned the details of where we stayed in each city in our suggestions page.

Kochi

Different areas in Kochi cater to different kinds of tourists. First is Airport area which is preferred for transit or late-night flights. There are several transit accommodation in this area which are worth booking. Some premium hotels are also located in this area. It is important to note that Kochi airport is about 40 kilometres from the city centre and it takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour in travelling to and from the airport to the city.

Second is Fort Kochi area which has several homestays and hotels at very affordable rates, even as low as ₹300 per day. If you are going for such cheap hotels, you will get a basic room maybe with just a fan. If you look for a decent comfortable room, the prices might go up to ₹3000 per day with all the amenities. Third is the Ernakulam area which is also the city centre. There are all types of hotels available in this area with varying budgets but a minimum of ₹800 per day. Most of the hotels are in the station area. If you are travelling by train, it would be very convenient to book an hotel in this area.

Munnar

Being a hill station, Munnar has the best accommodation in Kerala but, of above average budget. Each claim to have a unique view of the surroundings. Munnar offers a range of cozy homestays to luxury resorts. You may also enjoy tree houses here. The most popular area to stay in Munnar is Pallivasal, Chittirapuram or Chinnakanal. Pallivasal is specially popular for its natural views. Staying in Munnar town is not advised as most of the tourist places are 25-40 km away. Since, most people visit Munnar for its tea plantations and natural views, hence, staying in Pallivasal area is most suitable. Nevrtheless, treehouses can be perfect if you are looking for a romantic getaway. Since, Kerala offers eco-tourism and its beauty lies in it being very close to nature, we would suggest you stay in a sustainable responsible homestay like we did.

Thekkady

Thekkady is the most peaceful, wonderful and laid back town we visited in Kerala. The atmosphere there is admirable. It has some of the cheapest accommodation in Kerala. You can chose to stay near the market area which gets bustling at night although not quite as much as other cities. You may stay near the Periyar Tiger Reserve if you want more peaceful atmosphere. There are very affordable homestays in Thekkady, if you want basic accommodation in budget. There are also 3-5 star hotels if that is what you prefer.

Alleppey

Alleppey has one of the most sought after accommodation in Kerala. No points for guessing! Anyone who plans to visit Alleppey, would surely want to stay in a houseboat and enjoy the backwaters of Kerala. If that is not what you had in mind, it is absolutely alright for you can book one of the many backwater resorts in Alleppey and have equal fun if not more. There are many island resorts built on the small islands formed by the Alleppey backwaters. The choice is totally yours as to what kind of experience you would like to have. We have provided some honest suggestions (check out our suggestions post) on what should you choose if you are not quite sure already.

Kovalam/Varkala/Tiruvananthapuram

If you travel to the suth of Kerala, you may choose to stay at either of three locations i.e Kovalam/Varkala/Tiruvananthapuram. Out of the three, Kovalam/Varkala gets the most votes. We stayed at Kovalam.

There is always a dispute between which of the two is better, Kovalam or Varkala. In our opinion, Kovalam was better because of several reasons. But this is strictly personal and depends on individual taste. Varkala has more accessible cliff side beach and a stunning view from the cliff with plenty of stay and restaurant options nearby the beach. As for Kovalam, it is frequented mostly by foreign tourists. The Kovalam beach area is dominated by expensive hotels and restaurants. You will shell out much more than worth for either rooms or the food. Just off the beach you may find more reasonable stay options and restaurants but it will be a little difficult to access the beach as the area is quite hilly and has steep climb from the beach to your stays.

Evidently, there is always a trade-off. Varkala is more suitable for Indian tourists with excellent food options all around. The stay options also range from budget to luxury. As for the beaches, we have a separate post comparing both the beaches here. Read the article and decide for yourself. Additionally, Poovar which is emerging as a hot tourist destination, is around 10-12 km from Kovalam. You have the option to stay in Poovar as well.