Kerala Resorts
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
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Located between the glittering Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats Mountain range, Kerala's unique geography presents visitors with stunning scenic beauty and a range of activities from trekking in the hills to sunbathing on its golden sands. The climate in this area of India tends to be more temperate than others, with warm westerly breezes that reduce humidity and bathe the region in fresh sea air. The state of Kerala is easily accessible by air, with three of its airports (Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram) offering international connections. As well as catering for airline passengers, an extensive railway network links Kerala to other large Indian cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore. In Kerala resorts such as those featured on these pages can be found near all of the main population centers, but travelers would be advised to also consider exploring some of the region's more remote areas, where small islands and lagoons can reveal novel accommodation of charm and style. The main cities in Kerala that are frequented by tourists include Cochin, Alappuzha and Trivandrum. Visitors will be struck by the distinct style and culture that thrives in these urban centers, offering adventurous travelers an experience unlike any other to be found in the subcontinent. Cochin (also known as Kochi) is the financial center of Kerala, where modern glass and steel skyscrapers rub shoulders with the historic colonial-era architecture of Fort Kochi. Cochin is also a major retail hub, with many brand name stores offering a dazzling array of international shopping as well as locally-produced goods. Alappuzha is notable for it being a gateway to the famed 'Kerala Backwaters', an intricate network of waterways and canals that extend along the coast and inland for many miles. Many of the Kerala resorts to be found here can arrange waterway excursions, often utilizing houseboats, which are a common form of tourist accommodation in this area. Kerala's biggest city and capital is Trivandrum (also known as Thiruvananthapuram), known as" the Evergreen city of India" due to its landscape of rolling hills that lead to the sea. The city is home to many cultural and civic landmarks, such as The Napier Museum, Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple and Padmanabhapuram Palace, a remarkable all-wooden construction. Trivandrum is also close to Veli Tourist Village, a major center for water sports and home to some of India's most beautiful landscaped gardens. Due to the influx of tourist wealth to the area, Kerala provides visitors with some of the most charming and distinctive hotel accommodation to be found anywhere in India. Kerala resorts tend to be somewhat wider-ranging in price and facilities offered than resort hotels found in other parts of India. Whilst the facilities provided by the hotel and resort accommodation presented here varies dependent on location, all are to the highest standard, offering value and style without compromise. Resort hotels can be found in Kerala that cater for all kinds of visitors, from business travelers to backpackers. Because of the state's coastal location and canal network, an emphasis on water sports and seafaring is common to many hotels, hostels and lodges. A resort hotel will typically offer a wider range of services than traditional city-based hotels. Often the aesthetic qualities of the surrounding area is reflected in the architecture of the resort, with hotel buildings that blend into the environment, allowing guests to feel a part of the local culture. Because guests of a resort hotel typically spend more time on the hotel premises than they would in a metropolitan area, the level of comfort is often higher than that found in four or five star city hotels. Guest rooms and suites in these Kerala resorts tend to reject the often bland design ethic of brand-name hotel chains for a style which more reflects the hotel's locale. This does not, however mean that the modern facilities 21st century travelers have come to expect are neglected. Usually, a premier resort such as those presented here will provide spacious, air conditioned guest rooms, en-suite bathroom facilities and television with cable or satellite access. Guests can expect a high level of comfort, with full-sized beds and room service, as well as friendly and knowledgeable concierge staff. Many resort hotels have incorporated leisure facilities such as tennis courts and golf courses, and many offer excursions to local areas by boat or bus. Guided tours are often provided by staff who are knowledgeable about local amenities and tourist attractions. As a resort hotel is often to be found off the beaten path, most provide guests a range of on-site restaurant options which offer diverse and appealing local dishes as well as European and American menus. Many resort hotels also provide entertainment to guests in the form of live musical performances or cabaret, and some premises have a selection of bars and even nightclubs from which to choose. With its diverse landscape and authentic Indian culture, Kerala extends a warm welcome to visitors from around the globe. The hotels listed here represent the best resort accommodation to be found in this enigmatic, charming state. |
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