A three star resort outside Kottayam in Kottayam district, set inland in South Kerala and 11 km from the centre of Kottayam, with Kumarakom 2.3 km away, about 30 minutes on foot. It runs on a large facilities list: pool, spa, several sports courts, restaurant and bar, and a 4.4 out of 5 score from 6488 reviews. The distance from the lake, not the room, is what decides if it suits you.
What the resort holds
Abad Whispering Palms carries a three star rating and a guest score of 4.4 out of 5 from 6488 reviews. The facilities run long and lean towards keeping people on site: an outdoor pool with a pool bar beside it, a spa with massage and a steam room, a hot tub, and a garden to sit in. There is a restaurant, room service, and special diet menus if you ask ahead.
Active guests get a badminton court, table tennis, a games room and a playground. Fishing and yoga are on the list. Practical matters are covered by free WiFi, free parking, a 24 hour front desk, 24 hour security, laundry, luggage storage and a business centre, with a banquet hall for events. Rooms are air conditioned, family rooms are available, and the property is wheelchair accessible.
Inland, above the lake
The setting is outside Kottayam, in the wider Kottayam district, on New Nazarath Road. Kottayam is the headquarters of Kottayam district, and the hotel stands 11 km from the centre of Kottayam. The destination it serves is Kumarakom, 2.3 km from Kumarakom, about 30 minutes on foot, in South Kerala.
Kumarakom is water: a cluster of islands on the east bank of Vembanad, the largest lake in Kerala, with a bird sanctuary at one end and the widest water in the state in front of it. It is quieter than Alappuzha, and built around the lake rather than the canals. The land around the hotel is low, sitting between 0 and 3 m above sea level.
Who it suits
It suits families and groups who want a full resort with a pool, courts, a spa and a restaurant, and who do not mind that the lake is a walk away rather than at the door. It does not suit anyone who wants to step out of the room into Kumarakom's water or the bird sanctuary at dawn. The 2.3 km between the two is the whole decision.
When to go
October to March is the season. The lake turns choppy and brown under the southwest monsoon, so the months outside that window change what Kumarakom looks like from the water. Car hire and a shuttle service are available for the run to town, and the front desk stays open around the clock.
What the property lists
Where it is
About 11.0 km from the centre of kottayam, in Kottayam district. That is a ride rather than a walk. The listed address is New Nazarath Road.
Questions people ask
How far is Abad Whispering Palms from Kumarakom?
The property is 2.3 km from Kumarakom, about 30 minutes on foot. That is the walk to the lake and the bird sanctuary end. Many guests use the car hire or shuttle service rather than walk it, especially in the middle of the day.
What is there to do at the resort itself?
A lot stays on site. There is an outdoor pool with a pool bar, a spa with massage and a steam room, a hot tub, a garden, a badminton court, table tennis, a games room, a playground, fishing and yoga. A restaurant and room service cover meals.
What is the guest score for Abad Whispering Palms?
The guest score is 4.4 out of 5 from 6488 reviews. That is a high score across a large number of reviews, which suggests the facilities and service hold up consistently rather than pleasing only a few. The star rating is three star.
When is the best time to stay here?
October to March. Outside that window the southwest monsoon arrives, and the lake turns choppy and brown. Since Kumarakom is the main reason to base here, the water conditions matter more than they would at an inland hotel with no lake in its plans.
The name, category, guest score, review count, photographs and listed facilities come from the IMPT hotel inventory. Live rates, room types and cancellation terms are shown on IMPT for the dates chosen; this page quotes none of them.