A tropical paradise that is more than just a beach, Kottayam is an enchanting place that offers a relaxing getaway amidst nature and heritage. Kottayam town is located in Kerala, just north of the capital of Thiruvananthapuram, and close to the beach town of Kumarakom. The place offers a serene escapade for people looking for quality time in nature with plenty of activities to enjoy as well as luxurious Kottayam stays surrounded by heritage and fabulous European architecture.
Kottayam is known for its lush green rolling hills often swept by misty clouds, gently meandering backwaters lined by coconut trees, cascading waterfalls, plenty of wildlife and birds, dotted with towing churches and other heritage buildings. There are excellent Kottayam hotels that provide the niche to base your stays close to the experiences you want to enjoy. Kottayam has plenty of spots and experiences that make these attractions accessible and enjoyable the way you like.
In Kottayam, there is something for everyone looking for an enchanting getaway. If you are looking for some great insider scoop on the best place to book hotels in Kottayam, then you have come to the right place. Here, we will cover some great places in and around Kottayam to experience the best of this idyllic town.
Kottayam has plenty of great places to base your stay. Dotted in and around the city are cultural heritage and natural areas where you can book a hotel in Kottayam. Many of these hotels are at a convenient distance from various attractions or tourist spots.
Book Kottayam hotels with IndiGo in the backwater zone to take laid-back boat rides in the serene backwaters surrounded by lush green tropical vegetation and occasional birds and wildlife. There are also excellent 5-star hotels in Kottayam if you want to spend time watching exotic wildlife nestled among misty hills or trekking around the beautiful waterfalls in the area.
On the other hand, there are numerous options for Kottayam hotel booking at the heart of the town if you want to take heritage tours of beautiful colonial architecture and enjoy local cooking. Let’s take a closer look at the best areas to book hotels in Kottayam to make the most of your stay:
One of the prime attractions of Kottayam is centred in the backwaters of the area. Lined with gently swaying palm trees, the serene and sparkling backwaters near Kottayam provide ample ways to experience the town. Quite naturally, there are plenty of options for booking hotels in Kumarakom. Whether you are looking for Kottayam luxury hotels or want to explore more convenient, safe and hygienic hotels in Kottayam, this is the place to stay. Numerous boats operate from the Kumarakom Boat Jetty, including houseboats and smaller boats. So if you are in for backwater overnight cruises or short day trips along the picturesque and breezy backwater channels of Kottayam, there are plenty of options for your itinerary and taste.
Get allured by the scenic rural life from the houseboat or stop along the villages lining the backwaters to experience people engaged in various cottage industries in the area and taste delicious and unique local cuisine. During the popular Onam festival of Kerala, catch some 100 or so boatmen on some of the oldest or the largest snake boat races in the backwaters of Kottayam and the adjoining areas. Further ahead is the Vaikom area with some of the oldest temples of the region, namely the Vaikom Shiva Temple which is hailed as one of the significant pilgrimage sites in southern India.
Located near a picturesque river, a beautiful lake, and the misty hills, the Kumarakom bird sanctuary is only half an hour's drive from Kottayam town centre. This bird sanctuary is known for being home to migratory birds like the majestic Siberian Stork, and heron, as well as exotic birds like the waterfowl and skylark.
There are many ways to enjoy your Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and the adjoining area, so it is advised to book hotels near the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary area to allow plenty of time to enjoy the area. You may either take the walking trails through the lush and enchanting hills and forests, or a boat ride or cruise along on the sapphire-blue waters of the Vembanad Lake and enjoy a breathtaking view of the forest.
Experience the timeless charm and heritage of the Thazhathangadi Heritage Street, located at the heart of Kottayam town. The area is based on the banks of the Meenachil River with rows of intricately designed signature wooden heritage houses and neighbourhoods dotted with heritage churches and temples. If you are looking for a romantic getaway or the laid-back charm of a heritage stay, hotels in the Thazhathangadi Heritage Area are just what you are looking for.
Once part of a prominent 18th-century trading route traversed by merchants from central Asia, the Middle East and China, this area is a time capsule to the city’s colonial past. While you are in the city, visit the historic Kottayam Thaliyil Sree Mahadeva Temple, see the first church of Kottayam at Valia Palli, and visually treat yourself to the ancient Knanaya houses.
Located in the Erattupetta part of Kottayam and the hills of Illickal Maala, the peak of Illikkal Kallu is at 3500 feet from the sea level, the highest peak in the area. This monolithic rock and the surrounding areas of Ayyampara Hills have some of the most picturesque waterfalls in the region. Staying in one of the hotels near Illikkal Kallu and the surrounding area can be one of the most enchanting experiences of Kottayam and is a must for visitors looking for a paradisiacal getaway.
The area around the peak of Illikkal Kallu and other natural rock formations provide a panoramic view of the vista and the valley and the hike up the peaks is quite exotic. Due to abundant rainfall and high peaks, expect to find cascading waterfalls surprising you with their winds and turns. Visit the Marmala waterfall and the Aruvippara waterfall in the southern fringes of the peak, and the Anjumala waterfall in the northeastern direction.
In the southern fringes of Kottayam town are the serene habitations of Panachikkad and Malarikkal. The areas are quite popular among tourists all over the world for Ayurvedic treatments and have plenty of hotels in Panachikkad and Malarikkal areas to stay near Kottayam. In Panachikkad, visit the popular Saraswati temple amidst the serene landscape and the gently flowing Meenachil River. Believed to have originated miraculously on its own, the temple is richly carved in wood with a gabled ceiling and ornate pillars and is a religious and cultural spot and a great place to witness regional festivals.
A few kilometres to the west is another popular natural area, the Malarikkal Pink Lagoon which is a must-visit spot in August when post-harvest paddy fields turn into a field of pink lilies.
Some of the best Kottayam experiences come alive with a great selection of Kottayam hotels. With a varied selection of areas in and around the town and for every kind of budget and travel needs, hotel booking in Kottayam is a pleasurable experience of its own. Select from couple-friendly hotels in Kottayam for romantic escapades or check out for budget Kottayam stays at affordable rates. Whichever kind of Kottayam hotel booking you are looking into, the following pointers will come in handy when selecting the best option for hotels.
Why book Kottayam hotels with IndiGo? Well, we say for all the right reasons. From a great listing of the best hotels in the area in prime locations and tourist spots, you get to choose from a range of staying options in Kottayam that fits your budget and needs.
Overall, winter is the best time to make a trip to Kottayam. The months of October through February are quite pleasant with cooler temperatures and the least amount of rainfall. Days are sunny and cosy, which makes hiking and sightseeing quite comfortable.
Most of the walking heritage tours and culinary exploration tours in Kottayam are organised during this time, especially the Annual Food Festival featuring the region’s best culinary delights in February. Boat rides along the enchanting winding backwaters are also some of the most sought-after ways for tourists to enjoy. Winter is also the best time to watch migratory birds flock in the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary area.
While winters undoubtedly offer some of the popular ways to enjoy Kottayam, early and late monsoons have their special allure, especially for photographers and festive revellers. The late monsoon period from August to September is the time to be at Malarikka to enjoy the blooming carpet of water lilies or to enjoy exotic birds at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Late monsoon is also when you can enjoy the most prominent festival of Onam and cheer off at the snake boat races.
With IndiGo, hotel booking in Kottayam is simple and quick. If you are looking for budget Kottayam stays, you will be delighted. With no compromise on the quality of your stay, these safe hotels in Kottayam offer services and amenities at an affordable rate. The best part is that there are plenty of cheap hotels in Kottayam, and especially close to popular tourist attractions and getaway zones in and around the city.
Check out Kuttikattil Gardens Homestay, a cosy bed and breakfast in the Cheriapally area of Kottayam that will delight every kind of guest. These budget Kottayam stays offer a pleasant stay for you and your loved ones. Or, make reservations at the Hotel Arcadia near the picturesque suburbs of Kottayam. These locations are in prime locations in Kottayam and yet are also close to nature like the Meenachil River and popular heritage and tourist locations like the Thirunakkara Sree Mahadeva Temple.
Kottayam luxury hotels are a great way to enhance your stay experience in Kottayam. From dedicated concierge to relaxing experiences complete with sauna, spas, restaurants and other seamless service, prepare to get pampered at the luxury hotels in Kottayam. Whether you are visiting Kottayam for a romantic getaway or whether you are convening for a few days of work outing at Kottayam, many options are available for a stay that has got you covered.
Select the 5-star hotels in Kottayam like the Zuri Kumarakom Kerala Resort and Spa or the Rhythm Kumarakom near the Kumarakom Boat Jetty that offers a serene and enchanting stay. Get doting care with dedicated staff and a choice of services ranging from a full spa, and steam room, to an arcade room and deli bar on the pool villas for an opulent getaway.