If the north of India has great forts, palaces, and Havelis, Kerala has its beaches and backwaters, luxury resorts, houseboats, tree houses, plantation estates, and hill station escape.
We’ve selected for you 15 of the finest places in Kerala for the trip of a lifetime. We have given quite a lot of thought into compiling the list so you get a well-rounded taste of the luxury and amenities on offer in all the major tourist regions. Our list includes modern hotels, heritage properties, tree houses, Ayurveda-inspired resorts, family-friendly properties, wildlife-focused safari resorts, and chic boutique properties.
The all-white Old Harbour is a vintage 300-year-old Dutch-era property located in the ancient Kochin Fort. As the oldest hotel in Kochi serving the colonial clientele, for centuries, the Old Harbour has been the cultural symbol of the port city. The Old Harbour has now been repurposed and rehabilitated as a luxury boutique hotel by expert architect Karl Damschen who specializes in restoring ancient buildings. The original façade and traditional structure of the building have been kept intact. The 5 star hotel offers a dozen deluxe rooms and suites characterized by colonial high ceilings and looks into a courtyard with a fountain, and a large terrace.
The Eight Bastion is an attempt to recapture the lost legacy of the Dutch era. But first a word about the interesting name—the Eight Bastion. According to legend, the Dutch East India Company built seven bastions on Fort Kochi, the military headquarters in India. This property has modeled itself as the 8th bastion that the Dutch failed to build. You encounter a replica of the legendary Dutch ship “Batavia” that drowned off the coast of Australia in the hotel lobby. At the Eight Bastion located within the historical premises of the Fort, you get post-modern rooms with a Bastion-view or a Garden-verandah-view.
The Kovalam beach which is located a mere 20-minute drive from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is one of Kerala’s finest. As a very approachable resort, this 5 star hotel and resort is the perfect option for you if you are in town for a short stay. If you are staying longer, there is so much for you to do and enjoy at this 70-acre greenery-filled property carved out of a coconut grove and designed by the famous architect Charles Korrea. Your options include 200 deluxe rooms and villas, sea-view villas, and garden-view villas.
The Western Ghats of Kerala beckon you with their misty mountain beauty, great weather, and picturesque plantations. The Spice Tree is the best boutique accommodation in the hill station of Munnar which is sandwiched between the Kanna Devan and Bison Valley Hills. One of the highlights of this mountain retreat is the gorgeous infinity pool that looks into the Western Ghats from its hilltop perch. The Spice Tree offers 14 luxurious suites and pool villas that face the Muttukadu and Kumbadappara hills of the Ghats. You also get a mountain-view Yoga pavilion and a 300 BC Tea Lounge. The property also offers guided mountain treks and plantation tours.
The Kovalam beach strip has many 5 star resorts, but very few are as good as Niraamaya Retreat. The one word to describe it is stunning. Unlike any other resort in the region, this one is carved out of a sea-facing cliff edge, making it one of the region’s most unique post-modern properties. Your accommodation options include luxury cottages snuggled under Bunyan trees and modern sea villas and suites. The property has a world-class on-site spa, a swimming pool that overlooks the Arabian Sea, and a whole host of other 5 star amenities.
Two things bring you to Periyar—the spice plantations and the wildlife wonders of the Periyar National Park. Regardless of what you are in the region for, the Spice Village CGH Earth is the place to be. Modeled after the eco-friendly architecture of the native Manan tribe of the region, this is an earth-friendly property that uses native environmental-friendly practices. This is a village that offers you a blend of rustic comfort and modern luxury. Your accommodation at the Spice Village is a reimagined Manan village appointed with spartan elegance using local woodcraft and natural materials. Airy well-lit rooms with sizeable porches. You can also choose an Elephant Grass Thatch Cottage that’s typical to this region.
Picture a boatyard transformed into a post-modern boutique hotel. Geo Brunton’s Boatyard was once the primary shipbuilder in Kochi in the 19th century. The 5 star Brunton Boatyard is an experimental delight. It is housed in a repurposed heritage property that used to be the hub of the pepper trade in Kochi. Elements of Dutch, British, and Portuguese architecture have been infused into its infrastructure. Your luxurious rooms and suites overlook the sea and come equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. Each unit comes with typical colonial-era-inspired high ceilings, terracotta floors, teak wood furniture, and lime-plastered walls. There are four dining options.
Vismaya is chic, secluded, and surrounded by water from three sides, almost floating on the serene Lake Vambanad. The sunsets and sunrises are, therefore, magical. The architecture? Very Travancore. Very minimalist. With an understated elegance and simplicity. This two-room hidden getaway is 400 year years old and has been restored to perfection by the Swiss architect Karl Damschen. It has an on-site restaurant offering Kerala and global cuisines. It takes 90 minutes to get to it from the Cochin International Airport.
The Blanket Resort is a mountain retreat par excellence that is nestled on a slanting hill in the Pallisala Valley of Munnar, not far from the misty waterfalls of Attukad. This romantic destination is big with honeymooners. Its Falls View Restaurants offers a multi-cuisine menu. The Yoga Center has expert instructors who train you in the art of Pranayama and Surya Namaskar yoga. The famous Tea Museum and several tea plantations are located nearby. We recommend a hike up to the Echo Point.
Taj Bekal is the gem of the Kasaragod coastal region—a part of Kerala known for not just its golden sand beaches but also serene backwaters. The confluence of the two in Kararagod makes for a dreamlike experience. Picture a beach-facing 5 luxury resort that also has the backwaters flowing through it on the opposite side. The architecture of this 5 star hotel is inspired by the Ketuvallam people and their houseboats. Because of the region’s historical trade and cultural ties with Bali, you get many influences from Indonesia as well. Operated by one of India’s leading luxury hotel brands, you get the top-notch Taj service, 75 well-appointed rooms and suites, a J Wellness Circle for spa.
Imagine a lagoon dotted with coconut groves with a labyrinth of canals and backwater channels. CGH Earth’s Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom is assembled out of traditional wooden Keralan homes that have been transplanted from the nearby villages and rehabilitated to perfection with modern amenities. So, what you get is a great blend of tradition and luxury. The only way to get to this floating property is via a boat. The Lagoon’s private jetty takes you to your accommodation from the nearest road 1 km away. This 5 star resort offers the full range of amenities like a spa, several fine dining options etc.
Mararikulam is an idyllic fishing settlement that has been around for generations. The Marai Beach Resort draws its inspiration from this community that has lived in synch with nature for centuries. So, you get, like the fisherfolk of the region, thatched cottages equipped with modern luxuries. A lush green property with ponds, lagoons, and coconut groves, the Marari Beach resort has an in-house naturalist to give you a run-down of the 100 species of butterflies, 350 species of endemic plants, 3 species of turtles, 80 species of birds, and 10 species of birds that you can find on the property and its surroundings. And there are 5 star facilities.
The Zuri Kumarakom is set on a magical setting of swaying coconut palms and serene backwaters of Lake Vembanad. It offers luxurious rooms, traditional cottages, and modern villas, all with a view of the lake. The villas also come with a private dip pool. Zuri’s Maya spa offers a special Abhyangam massage, oil treatments, and other Ayurveda programs. You can also book an exclusive backwater ship cruise at the Zuri aboard its Laguna House Boat or speed boats. There are 3 fine dining options covering a wide range of culinary options: Lime Tree, the Trunk Call Bar, and Laguna Bass.
Kumarakom Lake Resort is one of Kerala’s most famous resorts that’s located in the backwaters of Lake Vembanad, which also happens to be India’s longest lake. Set in 25 acres of land with an 8-acre Vembanad waterfront, Kumarakom Lake Resort has been rated by the World Travel Awards as India’s Leading Resort multiple times. The resort has been repurposed from a 200-year-old heritage property and has two specialty restaurants offering Indian and Continental cuisines respectively. As a “destination spa,” you get the full range of Ayurveda treatments and therapies at this resort.
Thekaddy is known for its misty Western Ghat beauty and tea plantations. It also has the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, so lots of wildlife adventure as well. Niraamaya Cardamom Club is a fine 13-cottage resort nestled in the wrap of nature with a splendid on-site spa and forest-facing yoga pavilion. Its restaurant offers meals sourced from the surrounding villages known for their spices and herbs production. The infinity pool gives you great views of the valley. The resort also offers bespoke jeep and boat safaris to Periyar, guided nature trails and hikes, and coffee/tea plantation tours.
Homely, chic, boutique, and elegant. That is how to best describe the family-run Philipkutty’s Farm that’s snuggled on a farm island in the backwaters. The island was reclaimed from Lake Vambanad in the 1950s and the land has since been used to produce coconuts, fruits, vegetables, and bananas. You will need to get on a Vallam (country boat) to get to the farm. The nearest town Cherata is 5 miles away. You get your own waterfront villa with a separate bedroom, living room, lake-facing sit-out area, and...