Latest Reviews for India

Please see it is not a resort but a B & B

We visited the Inn at Delhi in April 2008. It is centrally located near to the Delhi airport and within a few minutes of all the embassies. The staff was very helpful and courteous. We stayed there for seven nights and had several delightful conversations with the hosts. We tried several different breakfast menus. The accommodation was tastefully and luxuriously furnished. The airport transfers made it very convenient.We booked it through google search on www.innatdelhi.com. We would recommend it to everybody. Tania Stuart

Our three weeks here was not what we were expecting, Kerala is very,very different to Goa and I doubt we shall return. Food and drink are not of the same quality as we found in Goa nor as enjoyable. It was very hard to get a cold beer and as a large number of the bars are not licensed you are often presented with a beer wrapped in newspaper and served in a coffee mug! We actually had a Gin and Tonic served up in a teapot with cup and saucer!

Food does leave a lot to be desired one would expect to get a nice curry here but no chance.

A two day one night trip on the back waters can only be described as the Norfolk Broads with sun and palm trees! Sadly the return flight home was delayed by 21 hours, and to cap it all, all of our luggage was left in India and was not received for a another week. A holiday to remember but for all the wrong reasons! Next trip to India will be back to Goa, not with Manos, with Jewel in the Crown.

We were booked to stay at the Uday Samadra which is a luxury hotel used by some airline crew. As a result of building work we were advised by Manos to consider alternative accomodation which we did, we were swiched to a Thomas Cook holiday on the same flight and promptly lost 5kgs in weight allowance each, fortunately after several arguments with Thomas Cook we were given our original 20kgs each.

The Swagath is a nice hotel clean and the staff do all they can to help you injoy your stay.

This was not our first choice of hotel but we could have not been looked after any better elsewhere. The hotel is sited at the top of a very steep hill aptly nick-named cardiac hill which leads down to the beach front. If you are taking small children or are not a good swimmer you will be fortunate to do more than paddle, as the tide here is very stong.

excellent holiday venue.

we went to Kerala to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and found a little piece of paradise in the Travancore Heritage. all the staff at the resort were absolutely fantastic, from room maids to restaurant staff. the beach was beautiful, most days we were the only tourists on the beach due to the heat(it was pre-monsoon). it was definitely a chill-out holiday destination, not much to do outside the resort, although we did go on a couple of trips, especially an overnight stay on a rice boat up in Allpey, not to be missed. we booked with Mercury Direct and their representatives there, Jayasree, couldn't be faulted. also flew with Emirates for the first time, WOW. we've been to Goa previously, and found that Kerala was a different side to India, not as commercial or touristy.

i love kovalam and have been here with manos before. the manos rep was knowledgeable and had back packed around india and had loads of usefull hints and tips of where to visit rickshaw prices as was the jewel in the crown rep i had met before they understand india and the problems nri's face. this year however the rep for thomas cook had no knowledge and was only interested in drinking and her social life. she is english and blonde and what you expect to find in benidorm. very disapointing and no idea of local customs. thank alllah that i still had some ideas from last year and new places to visit go to madurai and chennai both can be done by train and you will experience the true sights and my motherland. i only hope if i go back next year the staff are the standard i am used to and not of this latest trip you do not have to by the reps trips and inthe past i have found them relaxed about this pherhaps respectable people are not worried about money for alcohol and partys please go before it is spolit by these people i may try somewhere else next year. weather excellent staff friendly specially the kithchen staff food basic breakfast but have menus for local resturants if you want a night in.

the resort of Kovalam is a thriving collection of 5 small bays with lovely beaches and plenty of restuarants to eat. The costs are very inexpensive and as kerala is a dry state beer/alcohol is not normally open for sale but every restuarant serves beer/alcohol in mugs to fool the local police.Everybody is very friendly although the local beach traders are a bit persistant, I won't attempt to recommend any particular eating place as we ate in a different one ecery night and they were all excellent with plenty of choice although fish in banana leaves is very agreeable.I would recommend that any visits be arrsnged with local taxi/ricksaw drivers as the trips with the tour operaters can be three times the cost for the same trip.A two hour backwater trip is avaliable for 600 rupees(about £8)this is a trip evryone visiting kerala must do, the overnight trip is expensive and all you do is basically travel for a few hours then tie up for the night and then a few more hours the next day, which for around £80 is expensive so I would suggest the short trip is the better option. I can't really think of a bad thing to say about the place,we stopped at the best western swagath resort which is about 400 yards from the beach,although it is up a steep hill, but the hotel is quiet and for indian standards very agreeable, enjoy

Just returned from a fantastic 2 weeks in Kerala. Jeevans Resort is very basic. Take coat hangers - there is no wardrobe, just a rail in an alcove. The shower has no base - the water goes directly on to the bathroon floor and eventually drains away. The fan over the bed is essential - it's very very hot! The fridge must be 40 years old but it works! The hotel is right in the middle of Lighthouse Beach, right on the beachfront and even has a swimming pool. Couldn't be in a better location.

The manager is very friendly (as are all the staff) He arranged a couple of trips for us. One was to a temple festival in a local village. About 35 elephants all decorated, all the locals going down to the river, performing some weird ceremonies, and then a procession through the streets. Quite an eye opener! All the children laughing and saying ";Hello"; - we felt like we were royalty! Take pens for the children.

If you have never been to India before then it is a bit of a culture shock. On the drive to your hotel you will see loads of rubbish alongside the road, wood and doors?! stacked up, cows, goats and maybe even the odd elephant.
We went to Kerala 9 years ago. The prices have doubled - but it's still very, very cheap - and there are now sunbeds and brollies on the beach. The beach sellers will pester you to buy, but if you're not interested then say ";No thanks"; and look away. They will walk off again quite quickly.

Had a fantastic holiday at the UDS. After a small glitch with the accommodation. We had upgraded to a superior room but were allocated a standard on arrival, no problem, we refused the room and 10 minutes later had accommodation that suited us (although it smelt a bit musty to begin with, but we expected that - just at the end of the monsoon season). There was still problems with the room safes (ours was fixed within a couple of hours, but friends with us kept their stuff in ours as the hotel couldn't get their fixed during our stay). The staff were all great, couldn't do enough to help. We gave a small tip to Peter and his mate (pool boys at the coffee shop pool) every day and he made sure we had our sun beds, when and where we wanted them. Also ensured that waiters made frequent trips to ask if we wanted drinks, coffee, etc. Every time we went for a dip, he was there straightening towels, rearranging umbrellas etc - above and beyond the call of duty!!

New restaurant manager was appointed whilst we were there and he was very keen to find out what the guests wanted and acted on our suggestions. They arranged different themed nights every night at various sites around the hotel and we had a great night every time we decided to eat in the hotel. Food was always well prepared, well presented and delicious.

Found a great rickshaw driver - Aneesh - he gave us his mobile number and whenever we wanted to go somewhere he would arrive to pick us up within 10 minutes and then collect us again to take us back to the hotel. He even let Derek drive!!!!! not really a good idea given the state of the roads and the drivers!!!!! The shopping trip to Trivandrum was an experience I couldn't have done without his help.

Thought I'd bagged some bargains from the beach hawkers down at lighthouse beach, until I found Das's shop - up a side street by the Palm Beach sign (next to the shop selling fabric paintings) - it was a veritable treasure trove, with prices much cheaper than on the beach!!!! (and still room to haggle). Did all my Christmas shopping there, much to Derek's disapproval (he's a scotsman)!!! - Could have done even more as we were still 4 kilo's under allowance when we flew back (mind you we flew premier gold so had a 60 kilo allowance between us)!!!! Das also has 5 tourist rooms behind the shop which he insisted we inspect. They were brand new, beautifully furnished, spotlessly clean, ";all mod cons"; - All for 1500 rupees per night - if only he'd had a pool - but if you're happy with only the beach I'd go for it!

Went on an overnight houseboat trip for our 30th wedding anniversary (arranged by JJ at the Third Rock. For anything you want during your stay, he is the man who can)!!!!!! and the restaurant is very good too - The drive up to Allepey (4 hours) was an experience in itself! Driving in India seems to consist of pointing your vehicle in the direction you want to go, then honk your horn every minute or so and just hope everyone gets out of your way (they usually do)!!! After so much noise, dirt and varying smells on the drive up, the houseboat trip was an oasis of peace and tranquility. The staff on the boat were fabulous, showing us lots of interesting things and taking us into a village on the backwaters (the kids loved the pens and colouring books). The chef on board was excellent, so much fabulous food, we struggled to eat it all (but we managed)!!Whilst on the trip it was divali (festival of light) so all the Hindu houses were surrounded by hundreds of candles, what a pretty sight and v romantic!!!!!!

Would we go back to Kerala - you bet, back to UDS - yes providing they don't grow!, whilst there, building work was ongoing - another bigger swimming pool and more rooms, also a kids club (aaargh!!) - we prefer smaller places where the emphasis is on good service and peace and quiet and I wonder if it would become too impersonal and lose some of its charm if it gets too big.

First impressions were not good,the hotel is about 40 minutes drive from the airport and a long way from the centre of Delhi.If you aren't used to India beware it is in a very poor area on a dusty smelly and very crowded main road..

We stayed here for 10 days and our problems started from the moment we walked through the door.I was asked to sign a credit card slip for over 45,000 rupe(over £500)despite the fact I had already paid by credit card to the hotels booking agency the month before.
Trying to explain this to the reception staff who spoke poor English proved difficult and despite the fact that I had seen the debit on my credit card before I left for India they refused to believe I had already paid.

We went for a meal in the restaurant while they sorted it out and I was served the wrong meal and told my chicken on a skewer would be with with me in no time at all.They kept their word but the only problem was that the chicken was raw inside and inedible.

We returned to reception and although nothing had been resolved with the booking agency we were shown to our room which was very small compared to previous rooms we had stayed in on visits to India.The toilet is also connected to the bedroom by a louvre window which is not very hygienic and offers very little privacy.The window does not open and felt very claustrophobic.

Being jet lagged we decided to have an early night and were woken up at nine thirty by what sounded like a loudspeaker at full volume in the bedroom.A wedding party had started and it continued until gone 2 o'clock in the morning.The guests continued milling around the hallway and talking loudly until well gone 3 O'clock.The cleaning staff start work at around 4 O'clock in the morning and make no effort to be quiet.

We recieved a call from reception at 8 O'clock asking us if we were going to breakfast.We staggered bleary eyed into the restaurant and had 2 fruit juices,a coffee and two slices of toast.As we left we were chased by the waiter who told us we needed to sign for breakfast.I aked him why as breakfast was included in the price.he said I was mistaken and presented me with a bill for 750 rupees which is over £8

The booking agent had informed us that breakfast was included in the price and we went to reception who refused to acknowledge this despite the fact that I showed them the booking confirmation clearly stating that breakfast was included.

We wasted a good hour at reception trying to sort out breakfast and the hotel refused to budge.Normally in India this would not be a problem,breakfast for two is no more than £1 at most,but as there was no where to get breakfast locally this pesented a major problem especially at £8 a time.We were told that the only day we were entitled to breakfast was on our last day (which was the first of October because we had paid £100 for that night).As we had to leave at 3 am to get to the airport this wasn't much help.

We felt like 2nd class citizens during our stay at the hotel.and felt like they believed we were rich westerners trying to fiddle them.

The sheets were only changed every other day and that was after we complained to reception and on one occassion were blood stained.We never recieved our free cookies or water either.

I suffered from a bad case of Delhi belly towards the end of the holiday.We had returned at midnight from a trip to the taj and after 18 hours on the road we both just wanted to have a shower and go to bed.I turned the shower on and nothing happened.I phoned reception and was informed the main water pump was broken but would be fixed within the next twenty minutes.An hour later still no water,two hours later it still wasn't fixed.When you are suffering from a really bad case of gastro believe me the last thing you need is a hotel with no water.Not one of the toilets in the hotel would flush.

There were wedding parties seven of the 10 nights we were there and getting a good night's sleep was impossible.The hotel puts it's commercial customers first and as I mentiond earlier we were made to feel like 2nd class citizens from the moment we first walked through the door.We finally resolved the problem of the credit card payment and it transpired the had overcharged me by about £40 and ended giving me back money.

I've stayed in 2 star hotels where the service was beter than here and unless it's a last resort dont stay at this hotel, especially as it's expensive by Indian standards at £100 a night.

I had it all in one resort in Kerala, India - the things that weary men wishes for in their lifetime.

In this perhaps only existing paradise on earth, I got the treat that is worth every penny I spent and a visit where moments were meant to last forever.

It is Kumarakom Lake Resort and I had the name going through all the travel search engines available over the net. When I clicked on klresort com, I suddenly felt the urge to fly and this you will find out upon visiting the site yourself.

So, my wife and I easily booked for a week's stay and arrived safely at Cochin International Airport, 70 kilometers away with 10 minutes enjoyable boat ride from the Kumarakom Lake Resort.

The rest is historically depicted as we entered our presidential suite, wooden furniture, oval shaped mirrors, brass inlayed tables, murals depicting mythology, all a representation of traditional Kerala homestead.

Just outside the bedroom is a breathtaking site of the meandering pool. Far beyond, one captures the water world vastness of Lake Vembanad which we enjoyed very much through a boating expedition via 'kettuvallams', the traditional rice ferry with living hut converted into cozy houseboats.

The blue green surrounding is hypnotically calming while on the other hand, the gastronomical treat is enlivening as Oriental, Continental, Mughalai, Desi Indian or Naadan Keralite cuisines are fully satiating.

Finally, the 'ayurveda' is ageless as this 5000-year old practice of healing the body and mind, the system of medicine skillfully mastered by the Keralites is set to transport one's tired body to serenity and the mind cleared of pollutions brought about by the hassles of the outside world.

In few words, I will capture my Kumarakom Lake Resort experience as invigoratingly superb. And for those who wanted to capture their own experience of a lifetime, just try this soul-enriching trip.

Before I talk about my holiday experience I would just like the reader to know that I am well travelled and have stayed in a diverse range of hotels from opulent hotels to basic allocation on arrival in many different countries and resorts. I am fairly laid back about things and like many English people take things in my stride with out much fuss and bother. So you would have thought by reading the previous reviews of UDS hotel that this is an exceptional hotel in every way. Whilst it does have some qualities it is by no means a hotel that I would regard as exceptional, but certainly does have the potential to be.

The First Choice flight was fairly unremarkable, the interactive games and TV kept us entertained for hours. On flight food was ok and seats were comfortable but the only downside was the need for more toilets, outgoing we were unable to use them for the last hour because of blockages and on return only 2 were working for the last 3 hours because of over use and blockages.

On arrival to the UDS we had 2 rooms (we are a small family) .The previous occupants use the rooms up to 2 hours before new arrivals. Consequently the rooms are not cleaned properly before the new arrivals and to our observations only the beds had been made. The floors were dirty, there was hair on the bathroom floor, sink and toilet not cleaned, mirrors smeared door, door chain broken (later our door handle came off and we were unable to get into our room) and the refit had a shabby but adequate feel. Not a good start im sure you will agree. Other guests complained of dampness and leaking fridges.

By far the most farcical event, which it appears all the guests complained about was the failure of the hotel staff to activate the room safes despite asking at the reception at least 4 times over the following 3 days. We were told that one man was responsible for reactivating all the safes and he would be with us at 10am that same day which later became 4pm, which later became never. You may not put security on your priority list but given that a mobile phone was allegedly stolen from another guest's room we would have thought the hotel management would have considered this a priority, instead they were apathetic at best and despite assurances that this would be done it never was and we gave up trying. I lost count at the amount of times I saw guests approach reception regarding the safe situation only to be told 'the man' would be round shortly. Fortunately we used a hotel safe in the lobby to secure important documents. I wonder what other guests did when these limited safe boxes run out?

Regrettably the poor service didn't end there, and was at its worse in the restaurants. I know it was the end of the season but this is not an excuse and I feel that the fault is with the senior management. In other restaurants hotel staff are proactive enough to go around the poolside guests seeking orders for food and drink. However the opposite seems the case here, we waited 50 minutes for a simple order of chips, sandwich and pizza by an apathetic waiter. The chips were cold and the waiter came back 15 minutes later with chips burnt at the corners having been put under a grill. Try getting a drink at the pool bar, that's a joke, the chef who was cooking there couldn't have been any more disinterested if he had tried. Another incident involved being told by a waiter to sit in Charlie's restaurant away from my family during an evening meal as I had ordered toast, which was not on the main restaurant evening menu. I tried to explain that I had a severe stomach upset resulting in medication, but this seemed to have an unconcerned reaction until I asked to see the manager!

I appreciate I was in India and the culture demands a slower pace of life but I don't think its unreasonable to expect a hotel that claims to want to ";beat the best"; to provide a good standard of care and service. With attentive and helpful staff it would certainly make for a far more pleasurable experience given the beautiful surroundings and atmosphere and I wouldn't have to tell you about these annoyances which could easily be rectified. The exception was the cleaners who always met us with a smile and a kind word. Watching the fishermen pull in the catch outside the hotel; is certainly a must and is a charming reminder of the past with a modern present side by side.

We do however highly recommend the 3rd Rock restaurant. It may not be as cheap as restaurants on the Lighthouse Beach but it certainly makes up for it in service and food quality. We booked a fantastic backwater boat trip through a man called JJ (3rd Rock), which made our holiday very special. As with many other surrounding restaurants all the staff are friendly and helpful and really make you feel at home, unlike the UDS. They are also very honest (my son left an expensive mobile phone that they went out of their way to return to us). Other restaurants that deserve a mention are Lonely Planet, Garzier and Santana all on Lighthouse Beach 10 minutes away (ask for directions to the Lonely Planet for gorgeous vegetarian food that's really cheap). Its also worth a trip up to the main town Trivandrum where you can expect to pay a third of UK prices for clothes and can easily get a tailor to make up or copy any item of clothing very cheaply. Again we used a tailor through our contact JJ next to the 3rd Rock and he made some wonderful shirts for us.

So overall India has some wonderful sights and places to visit, even in the limited parts of the country that we visited. Another time I might only consider the UDS as a base to explore Kerala but if you are planning on staying poolside with a beer and sunshine for the duration I thinks it's a case of 'could do better' for UDS and you may be better off choosing another hotel and resort for that matter.