Our verdict: The best Keralan beach hotel

Joe | August 13

A ‘hotel village’ is probably not what many people are thinking of when they long for the white sandy beaches and bright blue seas of Kerala. But Marari Beach Resort near Allepey is no ordinary hotel village. In fact, it’s no ordinary hotel. If you’re looking for yoga, surf, great food and drink or just somewhere relaxing to while away the hours in a hammock by the sea, this is absolutely the place for you; and Marari Beach Resort is certainly one of the best hotels in Kerala.

The Location

Marari Beach is one of the gems of Kerala’s coastline with a long, undeveloped stretch of stunning white sand flanked by palm trees and dotted with sleepy fishing villages. Close enough to Alleppey for you to enjoy one of Kerala’s famous houseboats along the Backwaters, and just 90 minutes from Cochin, Marari Beach is both accessible and blissfully tranquil.

The Property

This is the largest establishment we work with at Tripzuki but don’t let the size deceive. Marari Beach Resort may not be boutique in size but it’s certainly boutique by nature; a haven of peace reinforced by the lack of television (really, you don’t need it here), plus complimentary yoga and Ayurvedic massage on-site.

The hotel is comprised of 62 thatched cottages spread around 55 acres, so there is no shortage of space. Surrounding the cottages are sparse palm groves, ponds and manicured lawns with chairs, loungers, hammocks and benches nestled away for guests to kick back in complete tranquillity. The whole resort is very much geared towards relaxation, and these pockets of peace amongst the trees epitomise the sleepy and laidback lifestyle that has made Kerala so popular.

A large communal pool, an organic veggie garden (supplying the kitchen), a butterfly garden and of course the stunning beach complete this lovely property.

The Rooms

Of the 62 cottages there are three categories to choose from, with both twins and doubles available. All room types are spacious and private with high ceilings and tiled floors to keep you cool. Though not chic, the interiors are done well, with crisp white linen and comfortable chairs for a perfectly functional and tasteful décor. Bathrooms get a high rating from ourselves and our guests that have visited, with natural products provided for the outdoor, private shower and basin area that is perfectly useable even through the monsoon.

The three categories of room are Garden Villa, Garden Pool Villa, and Deluxe Pool Villa. The Garden Villas are the smallest of the three with a raised verandah for relaxing in the shade, plus tea and coffee facilities and a mini-bar/fridge for enjoying a cold drink.

The Garden Pool Villas are similar to the Garden Villa but have their own awesome outdoor space. Accessed through a wooden door and shaded by vines and flowers, the private space includes a shallow pool for cooling off and perfect for kids to play in.

The Deluxe Pool Villas are a touch larger again with an indoor and outdoor bathroom, plus a larger pool more suited to swimming in. The same privacy is afforded to these pools beneath the shade of vines and flowers.

The Food

Marari Beach Resort has one of the finest food offerings we’ve experienced in all the small Indian hotels we have visited. Harsh, our co-founder (and the lucky guy that we sent to check this place out), rated his meal here as one of his most memorable in years of travelling around India. Remember, this is a quality boutique hotel in Kerala, and both these elements mean you should not expect the restaurant to be the cheapest, but the quality certainly justifies the price.

Breakfast is a broad spread of fresh fruits, delicious breads, cereals and eggs, plus Indian specialities; there’s very little to fault.

Lunch and dinner is a la carte or buffe-style in the Chakara restaurant—an open-sided building near the sea that regularly plays host to live music in the evenings. There is no A/C in the restaurant but don’t let this put you off; the proximity to the sea and its cool breeze make this a perfectly pleasant setting throughout the year.

One of the best features of the whole resort is the cookery class available. Pick produce from the organic garden then cook up a storm under the supervision of the talented chefs. You’ll get to take the recipes home, so even if you get caught up in the fun and forget how much chilli to chop you can still recreate a taste of Kerala one you’re back home.