We have just returned from Poovar
Island and enjoyed our stay. We stayed in a floating cottage, which
is slightly smaller than the land rooms, but this is more than
compensated by the fantastic views in the afternoon/evening as the
sun sets. Yes, the local kids do come up to the balcony, but if
ignored quickly leave. There was plenty of hot water for showers and
the room was well serviced each day. We ate in the hotel's
restaurant which was very average, the hotel's seafood restaurant
which is also very average, but we enjoyed all our meals on the two
floating restaurants which are not operated by the hotel. Better
prices, better food and much better atmosphere. We understand these
are only moored in the lagoon during high season, November to April.
The hotel prices are high for drinks (indifferent wine at £20 a
bottle!) but the floating restaurants' prices are more in line with
the tourist cafes at Kovalom. We went on one trip organised by the
hotel rather than our tour operator which was very good, included
more activities and sights than the tour operator equivalent trip
and costed approximately 30% less.
At the time of our stay there were
very few children staying, the other guests were mainly couples and
although there were a few grumbles about the hotel, most were
enjoying their holiday. It is very isolated, but easy to get to
taxis and other parts of Kerala. We took advantage of the Auyvedic
Centre and had several excellent treatment sessions and enjoyed the
morning yoga sessions.
The wildlife is abundant in the
resort which added to our enjoyment, we did not have any wildlife in
our cottage, but one land room attracted a chipmonk each morning who
was happily fed biscuits by the resident guests.
The staff did their best, sometimes
slow by Western standards, but we took that into account and
accepted it. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
