A five star retreat on the backwaters outside Kottayam, 1.6 km from Kumarakom and about 20 minutes on foot from the village. It holds an outdoor pool, a spa, a fitness centre, a bar and a restaurant, and 868 guests have scored it 4.3 out of 5. The water decides whether it suits you.
What the retreat includes
Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond is a five star property at Pallichira Vayitharamattom in Kottayam district, South Kerala. The facilities lean towards long, unhurried days: an outdoor pool, a spa, a fitness centre, yoga, massage, a garden, a terrace and a picnic area. A bar, a cafe and a restaurant cover meals, and breakfast comes with the stay. Rooms have air conditioning, a balcony, a patio, a minibar, a refrigerator and non smoking options, and family rooms are available.
For practicalities there is a 24 hour front desk, 24 hour security, express check in, a concierge, luggage storage, laundry, a lift and wheelchair access, with free WiFi and free parking. You can arrange car hire, a shuttle service or a bicycle to get around, and babysitting is offered. Canoeing and fishing are on hand, and a banquet hall takes larger gatherings. The guest score is 4.3 out of 5 from 868 reviews; no separate rating for cleanliness, service or location is on file.
Where the property sits
The retreat stands outside Kottayam, in the wider Kottayam district, in the region of South Kerala. Kottayam is the headquarters of Kottayam district, and the property is 10.1 km from the centre of Kottayam. The setting is inland and low, with the main water at Kumarakom, 1.6 km away, about 20 minutes on foot.
Kumarakom is 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 open lake rather than a town canal is the reason the region is photographed, the bird sanctuary is walkable at dawn without a boat, and the cross lake ferry to Muhamma is a thirty minute crossing most visitors never hear about.
Who should book it
The retreat suits travellers who want five star facilities in a quiet inland setting and who will use the lake, the pool or the spa as the centre of the day. It also suits families, given the family rooms, babysitting and shallow water activities, and anyone who prefers to arrive by road from Kottayam. It does not suit people who want nightlife within walking distance, shopping on the doorstep, or a base in the middle of Kottayam town. The property is inland and low, and the nearest town centre is 10.1 km away, so a car or the shuttle service matters.
When to plan a stay
October to March is the season to aim for, when the lake is at its calmest and the light is clearest. From June the southwest monsoon sets in: the lake turns choppy and brown, and canoeing, fishing and time on the water become unreliable. If the water is the point of the trip, book inside the dry months.
What the property lists
Where it is
About 10.1 km from the centre of kottayam, in Kottayam district. That is a ride rather than a walk. The listed address is Pallichira Vayitharamattom.
Questions people ask
How far is the property from Kumarakom?
The retreat is 1.6 km from Kumarakom, about 20 minutes on foot. That puts the lake and its bird sanctuary within an easy morning walk without arranging a boat. A bicycle from the property shortens the trip further.
Is there a pool at Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond?
Yes. An outdoor pool is among the listed facilities, along with a fitness centre, a spa, yoga and massage. The pool and spa are the main reasons to spend a full day on the property rather than heading to the water.
What is the guest score for this retreat?
It is 4.3 out of 5 from 868 reviews. That is a strong but not perfect record. No separate scores for rooms, cleanliness or service are on file, so the overall figure is the only guest measure available.
How do you get to the property from Kottayam?
The retreat is 10.1 km from the centre of Kottayam. Car hire and a shuttle service are listed, which is the practical way to cover the distance. Free parking is available if you drive yourself, and the front desk is staffed all day.
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.