Small Boutique hotels in KERALA

Enjoying a fabulous location on the waterfront of Fort Cochin, Brunton Boatyard is set in a magnificently restored and modernised Victorian shipyard. Offering fantastic views of the harbour and Fort Vypin, this charming boutique property offers exclusive accommodation and fine Cochin cuisine in an elegant colonial-style setting. Brunton Boatyard's period building blends in perfectly with its colonial era surroundings, while the hotel's interiors are an eclectic blend of English, Portuguese and Dutch influences. High ceilings, hanging fans, artefacts and curios from the great age of steam and sail can be seen everywhere, and the reception and tea lounge are huge, diaphanous spaces, with exposed beams, terracotta flooring and comfortable seating. Perfect for relaxing visits to this historic city, the hotel is within easy reach of all the main landmarks and attractions, and the Fort Kochi Ferry Port is just short walk away. Brunton Boatyard's fine History Restaurant serves delicious menus based on Cochin's eclectic cuisine, combining Portuguese, Indian, Syrian, Jewish and Dutch influences. Freshly caught fish and seafood are served at the Terrace Grill, while a fine range of cocktails and refreshments are served in the Armoury grill. The hotel has a spectacular outdoor pool, overlooking the harbour, and guests can also enjoy a range of Ayurvedic massages on request.

Enjoying a stunning setting, overlooking beautiful lake Paravur, Fragrant Nature Hotel & Resort Kollam is a charming boutique resort, set in just 29 traditionally-styled thatched roof cottages and villas. Strategically located between the backwaters of Kollam/Quilon and the fabulous beaches of Kerala, this splendid property offers luxury accommodation, great food and first-class services and facilities. All rooms at Fragrant Nature Hotel & Resort Kollam offer magnificent views of the lake, while the honeymoon cottage has its own private pool and garden plus a spacious balcony overlooking the lake. The resort is ideally placed for visiting this beautiful region, and guests can choose from a variety of excursions organised from the hotel, including a backwater boat trip or traditional punt cruise, or a visit to Kerala's traditional arts and crafts centres, such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Bharathanatyam and Kalaripayattu. Another unique feature of the hotel is its on-site amphitheatre hosting live performances of traditional Keralan music and dance. Fragrant Nature Hotel & Resort Kollam boasts two fine restaurant: the indoor, air-conditioned Anna Rasa, serving Kerala and international cuisine to the spectacular backdrop of the lake, and the unique Sandya restaurant, serving a range of regional and international dishes in a fabulous rooftop ambiance. Guests can also enjoy drinks and snacks at the Ritulahari lakeside coffee shop. Guests can also take advantage of the Prana spa and wellness area for the ultimate in pampering treatments, and the hotel also offers a fully equipped gym and games room.

Nestled in 25 acres of lush greenery on the banks of Lake Vembanad, Kumarakom is a luxury boutique resort, surrounded by meandering pools and elegantly landscaped gardens. This award winning property offers exclusive five-star accommodation, top-class cuisine and a full range of bespoke facilities in a breath-taking lakeside setting. The perfect spot for relaxing stays in Kumarakom in the height of luxury, Kumarakom lake resort exudes the charm of the heritage of Kerala while offering a complete range of New Age amenities for the utmost in comfort and well-being. Within easy reach of all the local landmarks and attractions, the resort also offers an immense range of on-site amenities and facilities, including infinity and meander pools, Ayurmana, the Ayurveda Spa, a fully equipped fitness centre and a spacious multi-purpose conference hall. Lake activities include Backwater cruises, Sunset cruises, and water sports, while the resorts expert concierge team can arrange bird sanctuary visits, sightseeing tours, cycling. Kumarakom Lake Resort is also host to several unique dining venues, including the Ettukettu Speciality Restaurant, set in a magnificent heritage mansion and serving a range of continental, regional and particularly traditional Kerala cuisine; the Vembanad seafood bar, the Thattukada Traditional Tea Shop or the Pool Pavilion. Guests can expect fabulous gourmet cuisine, great service, and a sophisticated atmosphere wherever they choose to dine.

Enjoying a delightful location on the narrow spit of land between the Cherai Backwaters and Cherai beach, Les 3 Elephants is a boutique eco-resort, standing in large, spacious, palm-shaded gardens. Designed and managed by the French Paris-Malabar team, the hotel has been built with local workers and materials, with the strictest respect for the Backwaters' fragile ecosystem. This charming property offers luxurious, ecologically sound accommodation, fine Indo-Meditterranean cuisine and first-class services in an idyllic waterfront setting. With just 11 individually designed cottages, relaxing, intimate stays are a given at Les 3 Elephants. Combining the region's typical thatched roofs, front and back sit-outs, cross-ventilation and the correct orientation, Les 3 Elephants' cottages offer spacious, cool, naturally ventilated accommodation with all modern comforts. On site, guests can enjoy unique culinary experiences at the Paris-Malabar Indo-Mediterranean Restaurant, or take advantage of the Damayanti traditional South-Indian Spa, featuring full-body massages and yoga tuition. Les 3 Elephants also organises a range of tours and excursions, including visits to Cherai and Cochin, along with nature and culture tours.

Located in the midst of lush cardamom plantations in Thekkady, Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club is a newly built boutique resort, offering delightful accommodation and fine cuisine in a spectacular natural setting. With just six spacious, private cottages, Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club is ideally placed for visiting Kerala's Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and the Periyar Tiger Route. Other experiences include bamboo rafting on the lake or visits to an elephant camp. On site Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club boasts a spacious wellness centre, where guests can enjoy a range of traditional massages and treatments. In keeping with Kerala's status as one of the spice capitals of the world, Café Samsara's chefs create delicious menus fused with the flavours of many exotic, locally produced herbs and spices. Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club also offers unique destination dining experiences, including intimate candlelit dinners or romantic barbecue nights by the bonfire, while The Madira bar is a delightful spot to relax and unwind after a busy day's sightseeing with a cocktail or a cooling beer.

Enjoying a fabulous location on Kovalam beach, Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra is set in a carefully restored historic property, and offers luxurious boutique style accommodation, great food and friendly, attentive service in an idyllic beachside location. Consisting of just 31 heritage cottages, accommodation at Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra is exceptionally spacious and elegant, featuring noble timber furniture and flooring, terracotta roofs and cool, crisp fabrics, offering the perfect balance between old-world charm and modern-day comfort. Services and amenities at Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra include a large outdoor swimming pool, a spa centre with a range of traditional massages and treatments, along with yoga sessions in the unique setting of the palm-lined beach by the Arabian sea. Café Samsara, the resort's all-day dining restaurant, is set in a tile-roofed verandah, and offers a breathtaking ocean view and global cuisines. Other dining options include the Essence cliff-side restaurant and the Madira bar.

Located on a beautiful bend of the Kappil river, and surrounded by 26 acres of lush tropical garden landscape, Vivanta by Taj - Bekal is a luxury boutique resort, featuring uniquely designed villas inspired by the design of Kettuvallam house boats. This fabulous property offers five-star accommodation, great food and a fabulous range of bespoke services and facilities in an idyllic riverside setting. Ideally placed for visiting this beautiful corner of northern Kerala, Vivanta by Taj - Bekal is close to some of the region's most important landmarks and attractions, including the spectacular giant keyhole-shaped Bekal fort, and of course the famous Bekal Beach. Activities available from the resort include kayaking on the river, archery and cycling. The resort of course boasts a large outdoor pool for refreshing dips, and guests can also take advantage of the immense riverside Jiva Grande Spa, which features Yoga tuition, Ayurveda, spiritual retreats and Indian rejuvenation therapies along with recreation and meditation spaces and a range of water treatments. Vivanta by Taj - Bekal is home to a number of unique dining venues, including Latitude - the multi cuisine restaurant, with the accent on regional Kerala cuisine; BBQ by the pool - where grills add to the outdoor sensations, and the Ivory Bar, where Bekal's most imaginative cocktails, snacks and tapas come alive in the chic, elegant atmosphere of the domed lounge bar.

Nestled in the midst of lush gardens and swaying palms, Vivanta by Taj - Green Cove is a purpose-built resort located close to the beach at Kovalam. Surrounded by 10 acres of carefully landscaped gardens, this splendid property offers 5-star accommodation, first-class cuisine and an extensive selection of bespoke services in an idyllic, secluded location. Whether for a romantic escape, family get-together or corporate event, Vivanta by Taj - Green Cove's sumptuous installations will be a delight to everyone. Based around a series of motifs, activities at the resort range from the Jiva Soma spa, with a fabulous selection of traditional massages and treatments, to moonlight dinners at the Bait restaurant, and including Romantic Lagoon boat rides, Backwater cruises and Village Dweller for a Day activities. Vivanta by Taj - Green Cove is host to a number of unique dining venues, including the Jasmine All-day dining restaurant; Curries, the resort's fine-dining Indian specialities restaurant; the Bait seafood restaurant, perched by the beach with fabulous views of the Arabian sea, and the Neera bar, serving exotic cocktails, fine wines and an extensive selection of tapas and snacks in a cool, laid-back ambiance.

Enjoying a fabulous location on the shores of lake Vembanad, Vivanta by Taj Kumarakom is situated in a charmingly restored late 19th century colonial bungalow, originally built for the English missionary Henry Baker. This boutique garden resort offers luxurious five-star accommodation and fine dining in a tranquil lakeside setting. Perfect for relaxing visits to this beautiful area, Vivanta by Taj Kumarakom is ideal for visiting the famous backwaters of the lake and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. The hotel's expert concierge staff can organise tailor-made sightseeing tours and trips on the lake, car rentals, restaurant bookings and many other services. Bicycles are available for guests, free of charge, and there is a fully equipped fitness centre, with instructors available every day. Offering spectacular views of the lake, Vivanta by Taj Kumarakom's rooms and public areas are decorated in an authentic colonial style, featuring exposed beams, terracotta flooring and vintage and antique hardwood furniture. Vivanta by Taj Kumarakom's Baker's Gourmet House restaurant serves the best of Kerala cuisine, ranging from Syrian Christian to Travancore style preparations. Pastas from Italy, Oriental dishes from South East Asia and authentic Indian all time favourites are all magnificently prepared by the hotel's expert chef. Meals can be enjoyed in the elegant dining room or in the open air on the terrace. Twenty-four hour service is available at the Open coffee house, while fine wines, spirits and cocktails are served in the cosy Easy lounge bar.