Northern Kerala
This fabulous, plastic-free beachfront ecoresort consists of 18 sleekly designed thatch-roof cottages inspired by Kerala fishers' huts, with voguish…
Must-see hotels in Kerala
Munnar
An award-winning, totally charming family homestay, peacefully located 12km southwest of Munnar, overlooking owner Tomy’s exquisite nursery and organic…
Kochi (Cochin)
Overlooking a lush garden with lily ponds and a pool, the stylish Old Harbour is housed in a 300-year-old Dutch/Portuguese heritage building. The elegant…
Northern Kerala
Surrounded by jungle and spice plantations, lovely Varnam is an oasis of calm 3km south of Katikulam in northern Wayanad. Varghese and Beena will look…
Kochi (Cochin)
Hotel-quality rooms come with solar-powered showers and a true family welcome from knowledgable hosts Philip and Maryann at this delightful homestay. The…
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
The brainchild (and former family home) of local entrepreneur Archana Mohan, Padmavilasom tactfully reimagines a 150-year-old royal palace into a luxury…
Northern Kerala
With a warm family welcome, this wonderfully peaceful and exclusive resort is pocketed away on an incredibly lush 1.5 sq km of working pepper, coffee,…
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Grown from its humble homestay origins, Green View is a charming guesthouse that retains its personal family welcome from owners Suresh and Sulekha (who…
Kerala
These charming lakeside cottages are easily the best choice for a relaxing, affordable stay in Kollam. Host Prabhath Joseph offers a warm welcome, with…
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Hidden behind popular Chrissie's Cafe, this four-storey, German-Egyptian-owned hideaway somehow blends into its forest-green surrounds and is filled with…
Kerala
Marari stays don't get better than this: four intimate, independent boutique villas dotted along or near the beachfront, washed in dusty reds, whites and…
Kochi (Cochin)
With a smile that brightens weary travellers, welcoming owner Sheeba looks ready to sign your adoption papers the minute you walk through the door. Down a…
Varkala
Not your typical Varkala address, this gorgeously original hideaway is packed with art and antiques and topped by a breezy roof terrace. The five rooms…
Kozhikode (Calicut)
In northern Calicut, the restored 1850 home of the Kadathanadu royal family is as serene as it gets – a traditional family compound with pristine lawns,…
Munnar
Green Valley's views are superb, its rooms smartly up to date, and its welcome warm. Rooms sprawl across three floors, all facing the valley, and have TVs…
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
In Trivandrum’s leafy western suburbs, this lovely, serene family house amid sprawling gardens has four fan-cooled rooms, neatly furnished with individual…
Kerala
The location is sublime at this peaceful three-room homestay, separated from a quiet piece of Kattoor Beach by a small lagoon (cross in a borrowed canoe!)…
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Around 12km southeast of Alleppey, long-running Green Palm Homes is a series of homestays in a picturesque village on a backwater island, where you sleep…
Northern Kerala
Amid coffee, fruit and spice plantations with sweeping reservoir panoramas, Amaryllis elevates the humble Kerala homestay into a luxury-boutique affair…
Kochi (Cochin)
Above an astonishing private antiques collection, each of these eight exquisitely and individually themed design-meets-heritage rooms – with glossy…
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Across the road from the beach, this thoughtfully renovated 1860s heritage home offers Alleppey's most character-filled accommodation. The 10 rooms have…
Kerala
Hidden from the beach but with the backwaters on your doorstep, Les 3 Elephants is a soothing French-Indian-owned resort with boutique flair. The…
Kovalam
All calming ochre tones, terracotta tiling and minimalist flair, this intimate German-owned seafront pick has eight ground-floor rooms finished with…
Kerala
The queen of Kumarakom’s luxury accommodation is this 67-room Keralan-inspired beauty fronting Vembanad Lake, complete with ayurvedic spa, yoga, two…
Kochi (Cochin)
On the site of a Victorian-era shipyard, this grand CGH creation faithfully reproduces 16th-, 17th- and 18th-century Dutch, British and Portuguese…
Kovalam
Tucked into the southern curl of Lighthouse Beach, the 14 elegant and refreshingly spacious rooms at this stylish pad gaze out on the beach from private…
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
In a peaceful lakefront setting 4km north of Alleppey, this welcoming, creative operation amid natural canals sleeps guests on a floating mini houseboat…
Varkala
Tucked away behind the North Cliff, this warm, highly regarded guesthouse throws boutique style into its impeccably kept gleaming-white rooms and six…
Varkala
Six-person, locker-equipped en suite dorms (some air-conditioned) and smartish private doubles with simple murals are the draw at this social budget hang…
Kerala
Designed in the style of a colonial-era tea-planter's bungalow, Windermere's graceful, cream-coloured villa opens onto gardens reaching down to a gorgeous…
Kovalam
The Kovalam branch of this glitzy Indian group is nuzzled into lush grounds with direct seafront access. Individual thatched cottages come tastefully…
Varkala
Bold pink and turquoise design meets a homely, social feel at this boutiqueified British-run yoga and surf retreat spread across lush gardens atop the…
Kochi (Cochin)
What may just be one of the most romantic boutique hotels in Kerala, Malabar flaunts its chic blend of contemporary design and original 18th-century…
Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra
Kerala
Built into natural groves of mango, banana and banyan trees and offering A-list-style seclusion, luxurious Niraamaya's 33 glammed-up traditional Keralan…
Kochi (Cochin)
The first thing you'll notice at the Waterfront Granary is the 1928 Ford vintage car in the lounge. This is a museum-hotel, where relics from the owner's…
Munnar
An elegant boutique-meets-country retreat, 4km southeast of Munnar, where 18 supremely spacious garden- and valley-view rooms are sprinkled around serene…
Kerala
Wrapped in greenery, 4.5km southeast of Cherai Beach, this blue-washed 250-year-old house makes an intimate, character-filled escape. French owner Marco…
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Well away from the bustle and up a steep hill with good views on the east side of town, this warm and long-established German-Indian-run home has gently…
Kerala
For something uniquely creative, seek out these four palm-fringed 'art cottages' attached to an artisan pottery warehouse, which occupies a reincarnated…
Munnar
Handily located near the main bus station, this popular guesthouse has fresh, clean budget rooms (the best on the upper floor), a friendly welcome, and…
