A peaceful stay
by TripAdvisor Member thingummyjig
Spent 2 nights here as a welcome relief after touring the bustling temple cities of Tamil Nadu. A luxurious resort, though rather expensive for what it is. Spa prices here are on a level with those in the West.
Architecture and setting are lovely, but the complex requires additional landscaping, especially more trees to provide much needed shade. Service was exceptionally good, with well trained staff. Dinner was buffet-style on both nights, with a wide selection of local dishes to try. Indian classical musicians and dancers provided entertainment on both evenings.
Drinks (both soft drinks and alcoholic drinks) were overpiced, compared with the charming Coconut Lagoon where we went for a drink.
Bedroom was comfortable and stylish, with a state of the art bathroom.
Try someplace else
by TripAdvisor Member Gerry108
While the Hotel was new,Western in design and very expensive, the food was positively miserable, particularly in the new "seafood" restaurant. For reasons that were completely mystifying the "seafood" restaurant insisted that the six of us give them our order down to the number of pieces of naan that we wanted (one came with dinner, more were extra) at about 4:30 PM even though our reservation was at 8:30. It took almost an hour to gather up our party which at that time was dispersed on the property, study the menu and decide on our order and it took another half hour to explain the order to the person sent down to get it. What a pain.
The only other restaurant was called the" coffee shop" and while more reasonable and in a nice setting it had barely passable food.
The rooms were nicely appointed but I think we could have done a lot better as an overall experience at another resort.
Superb ...... Magnificent
by TripAdvisor Member Dewdrop79
No words could match the magnificence of this property. A complete visual delight. The service too was excellent, staff members were very helpful & smiling ....... cannot say enough. Would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone who wants to experience 5 star luxury in Kumarakom.
Stunning but expensive!
by TripAdvisor Member Good Names All Gone!
We stayed here for the 1st two nights on the Highlights of Kerala tour booked through FIrst Choice. We should have been in Backwater Ripples but it was full so a few of us were upgraded.
The hotel is just over a year old, and is truly stunning. As we have found throughout India, the staff are incredibly polite and helpful. Check in was conducted quickly and since our rooms were not quite ready, we were taken to a lovely air conditioned room in the spa building, with loungers, overlooking the pool. We only had to wait about 15 minutes before being escorted to our room.
The room (no 106) was very luxurious and immaculately clean. I was amused by the large picture window between the bedroom and bathroom, although there is a roller blind if you want some privacy. We had a bath plus huge shower cubicle.
The pool is not very large but there didn't seem to be many people about. Loungers and umbrellas were plentiful. There are jacuzzi jets which the attendant will turn on for you, and when these are on, the elephants spout water from their trunks.
We ate in the coffee shop both evenings - the sea food restaurant didn't actually look open when we walked past. Everything about this hotel appears to be fantastic but a couple of things we found disappointing.
We had the buffet dinner but it was really expensive - 1,100 rupees each. Considering how cheap it is to eat in India, we thought this was a bit much, even for a top class hotel. They don't have a licquor licence either so drinks, while available, show up as something like "Open Food" on the bill.
We found the staff to be, if anything, too attentive. The pool attendant came dashing over every time I wanted to alter the angle of the back of my lounger, restaurant staff insisted on walking us through the breakfast buffet and showing us where everything was, even though we'd already been in and everything was labelled. We found it just a little bit too "in your face". Some people would love this but not us. We went up to the bar one evening and it was completely empty except for us so no atmosphere at all. Also, they don't serve beer here, only cocktails or wine (wine in India is very heavily taxed to expect to pay at least £30 per bottle for the local stuff).
The sunset cruise was also a bit of a disappointment. You either sat inside the boat in an enclosed area, or on the roof which didn't have any seats or cushions. No drinks or anything available and we were back at the dock nearly half an hour before the sun actually set!
western style getaway in the backwaters
by TripAdvisor Member rakesh_5p
simply taken aback by the hospitalitry of the staff.This property is very new but very well planned and simply superb. would love to stay there for atleast a week. They have a very elaborate spa but very expensive.
this is a winnr!
by TripAdvisor Member teacup610
This hotel is everything you could want. Tropical, relaxed, luxurious,pampering.Wonderful food, excellent spa,beautiful modern room with all the amentities!Wish I could have stayed longer!
Beautiful surprise in Middle of Nowhere!!
by TripAdvisor Member rgehring
Wonderful hotel. We arrived here by boat from an overnight backwaters houseboat tour and loved it here. Just fabulous with no complaints. The other reviewers have said it all, tho I have no idea what their problems were with the restaurant. Jay from Vermont
Fabulous property
by TripAdvisor Member SDROY
The property is a visual delight with the well maintained lawns and it's own natural water body in the middle of the property - you can expect to see white storks and other exotic birds walking around just outside your room.
The service is excellent with very courteous and friendly hotel staff - the F&B prices are on the higher side, but hey, this is a 5 star property after all !!
The spa (which we were told is one of the largest in Asia) is very good with Ayurvedic as well as Western massages and beauty treatments available. A treat for spa junkies !
All in all I think Radisson is the best value for money if you're looking for a 5 star resort in Kumarakom.
Forum Posts
Alcohol in Kerala
by karentindall
Hi there, we will be travelling to Kerala in November, do the bars and restaurants sell beer, we have been told that it is illegal, in the State of Kerala.
Hope you can advise
Many thanks
karen
Re: Alcohol in Kerala
by paulhanson
It doesn't seem so. Read this BBC report:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8557215.stm
Re: Alcohol in Kerala
by davlap
No problem getting a beer in kerela, we,re staying at palmy residency and they stock beer so no problem there are also a couple of bars look for Komala,s they do take away as well .Also if your going to do some of the boat trips ,consider going on the government boats, we have and you can spend the whole day practically and spend 10 rp each on a single 3 hour journey.
Re: Alcohol in Kerala
by arienashes
Hello Karen
Well to start with Alcohol is not illegal in Kerala. It has some strict compliance and selling guidelines that;s it.
Well there are a lot of Bars that sell alcohol. These are run by the government. You will be surprised by there are timings for these Bars to open and close. Still more surprising is that you will have to stand in a Q to buy your alcohol.
Coming to restaurants, they do sell beer. But not every one. Very few but to be frank, its not at all a matter of concern as you will find it some where or the other.
To conclude, its highly impossible that you wont get alcohol in India. Even if there state has a complete ban on it you will still get it...heheheh LOL.
Have a nice time in India.
Best wishes and happy time.
Amar
Re: Alcohol in Kerala
by anilpradhanshillong
Kerala is not a *dry* state as Gujarat, Mizoram or Nagaland. You'll find alcohol in plenty wherever you travel in the South. Try out their 'kallu'('toddy'). Needs getting used to but, Boy! O Boy! what a kick! Here's the link:
http://blogs.keralatravelcentre.co.uk/2010/get-into-high-spirits-on-kerala%E2%80%99s-local-brew-toddy/
Re: Alcohol in Kerala
by lifedeath67
yes the bars and do sell beer but all restaurants do not sell beer. anyway liquor is available anywhere in kerala without problems. NO it is not illegal.
only the 1st of every month there is complete ban on sale of liquor in kerala state. but even on 1st you may get it illegally.
bye and take care.
Re: Alcohol in Kerala
by lifedeath67
yes the bars do sell beer and all liquor but all restaurants do not sell beer. anyway liquor is available anywhere in kerala without problems. NO it is not illegal.only the 1st of every month there is complete ban on sale of liquor in kerala state. but even on 1st you may get it illegally.
bye and take care.
Re: Alcohol in Kerala
by theclaw
whats cost of a kingfisher in a bar nowdays
Re: Alcohol in Kerala
by davlap
kingfisher usually is about 80 rp, but some might try to sting you up to about 180rp
Re: Alcohol in Kerala
by theclaw
80 rupee eh!! 45rp to AUS $$$ thats less than $2 a beer--last time 32rp to AUS
a beer was 65rp slightly more than $2 GOOD NEWS
Re: Alcohol in Kerala
by davlap
yep and smokes are about 35 rp, so it makes for a cheap night on the town.lol
Re: Alcohol in Kerala
by theclaw
train cheap too last time i bought senior concession [30%off] so a train from
delhi to jaisalmer 1180rp slides back to 800 something rupee so the 6pm o/nite
less than 20 bucks cheap trip/sleep
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House boat on backwaters
Back waters of Kerala
Festival in Kumily
Munnar
