Who is on this trip:

The writer – Mother/Organiser/Travel ‘Project’ Manager/Sponsor/Financial Controller. Referred to as: Me, myself or I

The husband – referred to as: himself/Dad/hubby/the man

The daughter – referred to as: the girl/7yo/princess/whinger/puker/punk/card sharp

The son – referred to as: the boy/5yo/boy wonder/whinger/puker/punk/ card sharp

Itinerary:

Sydney-Delhi (for city break)–(Main trip Kerala state) : Cochin/Kochi– Alleppey/Alapuzha- Kollam/Quilon-Varkala- Thekaddy-Munnar-Cochin/Kochi-Delhi-Sydney

Dates:

20 Dec 2017- 10 Jan 2018

Season in India:

Winter

Average temps:

17-30 degrees

Exchange rate to AUD:

46-50 rupees per $1aud

Hotel summary overall:

The Leela Palace, Chanakyapuri, South Delhi

Stars: 5 or 6

Family suite: No (or not available on booking.com)

Wifi: Good/Free

Car service: Expensive

(5500prs airport 10km so 550rps per km = Exorbitant,

40,000rps day trip Agra 176km so 227rps per km = not as bad value as airport run!

Delhi tour 800rps per hour plus 1500rps for guide = compared to airport run it’s a bargain)

Pool: Heated/outdoor

Food: Excellent / very expensive

Service: Butler / Treats to room / Gifts for kids

Free Extras: Gym

Spa/Massage on site: Yes

 

The Vivant by Taj – Malabar Coast – Willingdon Is., Cochin

Stars:  5

Family suite:  Not exactly but suite had living room fold up beds brought into / walk in robe so plenty of room for luggage

Wifi: Good/free

Car service: Medium price, they tell you of other options too

Pool: heated/outdoor

Food: Very good / expensive – lunch buffet 1000 rps

Service: Butler / Treats to room / Gifts for all on check out

Free Extras: Sunset cruise on backwaters/Afternoon tea/Kids biscuit decorate/ Kids post office visit / Gym

Spa/Massage on site: Yes

 

The Raheem Residency, Beach Rd., Alleppey

Stars: 3

Family suite:  No

Wifi:  Terrible/Free

Car service: No

Pool: Heated/outdoor

Food: Good / medium

Service:  Standard

Free Extras: No

Spa/Massage on site: Yes

Recommend/Would go back: Yes

 

 

 

Palm Tree Heritage house boat, Kollam harbour

Price: All-inclusive 26000rps plus tax

Stars: 4

Family suite: N/A  2 bedroom boat

Wifi: No

Car service: Yes / ok price

Pool: N/A

Food: Very good/Plentiful/Included

Service: Cook/Guide/Captain.

Free Extras:  Canoe excursion / Walkabout with spice plants

Spa/Massage on site: N/A

Recommend/Would go back: Yes

 

 

Palm Tree Heritage, Odayam beach, Varkala

Stars: 3

Family suite: Yes

Wifi: Patchy/Free

Car service: Yes / ok price

Pool: N/A as on beach

Food: Average/OK price

Service: Restaurant hit & miss/Housekeeping Manager attentive/Owners Personal Service excellent

Free Extras:  No

Spa/Massage on site: Yes

Recommend/Would go back: Yes (mainly cause of Babu the owner)

 

Greenwoods Resort, Kumily, Thekaddy

Stars: 4

Family suite: No

Wifi: Good/Free

Car service: Yes / ok price

Pool: Outdoor/unheated

Food: Good/Buffet best price 700 rps

Service: Very Good

Free Extras:  Traditional dance/ Cooking demo/ Periyar Documentary / Miniature onsite farm tour/ Playground / Saree-Dhoti wearing demo / Games room / Gym

Spa/Massage on site: No

Recommend/Would go back: Yes

 

The Panoramic Getaway, Chithirapuram, Munnar

Stars: 5

Family suite: Yes

Wifi: Good/Free

Car service:  Yes/expensive

Pool: 2 heated – one adults only J

Food: Good / Expensive

Service: Good

Free Extras: Games room & Playground & Gym

Spa/Massage on site: Yes

Recommend/Would go back: Yes

 

 

The SAJ earth resort, Nedumbasherry, Cochin

Stars: 3.5/4

Family suite: No

Wifi: Medium/Free

Car service:  Yes/included airport drop off in room rate

Pool: Surround pool but not in mid Jan//Private pool available

Food: Good / Expensive

Service: Medium

Free Extras: Games room & Playground & Gym

Spa/Massage on site: Yes

Recommend/Would go back: No

 

Radisson Blu, Delhi airport

Stars: 5

Family suite: Yes but not via booking.com- On asking at hotel we got Presidential suite incl. private garden (double the price of 2 business rooms)

Wifi: Very Good/Free

Car service:  Yes/included airport drop off in room rate

Pool: Yes only not in mid Jan

Food: Very Good / Very Expensive, buffet 1800 rps

Service: Good / Butler / Treats to room

Free Extras: R Lounge – food and drink gratis 6-8pm / Gym

Spa/Massage on site: Yes

Recommend/Would go back: Yes