A hotel and homestay guide for every occasion: Ottapalam rests peacefully along the banks of the Bharathapuzha – Kerala’s second-longest river – in the traditional, literature- and cinema-infused region of Valluvanad in the Palakkad district. More popular with locals than outsiders, it is the locale for the state’s premier centre of classical arts, Kerala Kalamandalam, and is strewn with ancient, still-inhabited ancestral homes, temples and paddy fields. A historically popular site for the literary and film industries, many celebrated writers trace their origins to these parts, while several heritage homes close to the town have previously featured in numerous Malayalam film productions.
The relatively undiscovered nature of Ottapalam has led to two main categories of hotels/home stays.
There are some luxurious, traditional, family-owned heritage home stays, where a visit is equivalent to being a guest. And there are some clean, simple, and well-situated hotels catering to a more leisurely traveller audience that requires a reliable, basic hotel to return to at night, perhaps due to attending a wedding or visiting a relative, or because of an official trip to the area. None of them attempts to appear as one or the other, so making the choice is largely uncomplicated when one’s agenda is clarified.
Nobody in either group is claiming that they’re something they’re not – so when all is said and done, it’s fairly easy to decide which category your stay falls into after you’ve identified your plan of action. In this guide, we go deep into the details of each type of lodging – from location to ambiance to what other guests generally experience – so you can work out which one fits best for your specific adventure and when it may be beneficial to venture a bit further outside the centre.
Heritage Homestays & Farm Stays
For those who prefer to wake up with the murmurs of the birds, a peaceful shower in the pond and a home-cooked Kerala dinner with the family residing in the house, Ottapalam is the place you should head to, as for homestays, it offers a wide range. These are not your typical “boutique” stays but a centuries-old traditional house renovated without compromising on the charm.
Kalappura is situated across approximately 7.5 acres at Manisseri, a brief distance from town, and was built on the footprint of a building previously used by the Vadakkoot family for the storing of cattle and grains. Today, the premises comprise 14 heritage-style suites, which blend old-world charm with modern conveniences such as a Wi-Fi network and air conditioners, not to mention the remarkable “Erumadam” treehouse, which offers a closer-to-nature feel. There is also a pool and a garden landscape that has made the premises a favoured location for small celebrations and family functions, more than just accommodation.
Most guests find the individual attention and service provided by the owner and his staff the strongest asset of the hotel, closely followed by the premises’ atmosphere.
The property has been a favourite for larger groups of guests too; the staff are always ready to adjust for individual tastes in dining and to coordinate the planning of day trips into surrounding areas, which is a definite advantage over a couple of nights in a family trip or retreat instead of a quick one-night visit. At 12 km from the Shoranur Junction railway station, it provides a reasonably accessible, yet isolated and peaceful holiday destination.
Nivriti
Home of bliss – This 1938 reconstructed ancestral home (originally Cherangottil Tharavadu) is situated at Vaniyamkulam, a little way away from Ottappalam, in Kerala – it’s by the banks of the river Bharathapuzha, close by and within easy walking distance of the premises. The owners rebuilt the house in 2020 with materials such as clay, wood, and stone, conforming to the authentic style of architecture in Kerala. It’s been accredited under the heritage homes scheme of Kerala tourism.
The six furnished bedrooms are in two buildings, the main house (Tharavadu) and the old granary house (Pathayappura), and you can rent the property in one go, in any combination, or individually, making it great for couples wanting to get away from it all or larger parties who want the whole place. There are paddy fields and coconut groves surrounding the property, and there’s a small pond onsite that visitors often highlight as a perfect place to spend an evening. Many guests note the very peaceful and relaxed feel, along with the outstanding hospitality, as key features of their stay here – it’s definitely more about the place itself than a host of amenities.
Olappamanna Mana
If you are interested in making your travel experience as immersive and culturally authentic as possible, Olappamanna Mana will undoubtedly stand as the most important of the properties in and around Ottapalam – though it requires a slightly longer drive (20-24 km from town). This is the approximate 300-year-old ancestral home of the Namboothiri Brahmins in the village of Vellinezhi, and it follows the traditional “Ettukettu” architecture style with two joining quadrangular units around open courtyard areas. The house has a strong association with classical Carnatic music, Kathakali, and Sanskrit learning and, since 2006, has even hosted film shootings for some popular Malayalam films.
The Mana has been run as a homestay by the living members of the family since 2006, and most of the guests say that it is less of a hotel visit and more of an invitation to their home – right from the vegetarian home-cooked meals served on banana leaves to an informal introduction to the family history and their large library, and depending on your luck, you may even get to witness a religious ceremony.
It is important that you are going with a mind-set of the ‘basic facilities’ because as part of the experience, there is no television here, and WiFi connectivity is limited. What is refreshing about many of the guest reviews is that they come across as more of a personal reflection than a hotel review, and one gets the feeling that they may end up remembering this experience years later. Not ideal if comfort is a priority – this place is perfect for those who crave an unparalleled cultural immersion experience of Kerala.
Anamala Serenity Homestay (Lakkidi)
Anamala Serenity Home Stay, Kerala, Lakkidi: Nestled in the lush hills and greenery of Lakkidi, Kerala, this home stay caters to nature lovers. The emphasis here is very much on relaxing with the luxury in-house spa (and massage treatments), an incredible outdoor pool, a well-cared-for gym and a delightful garden to stroll through in the early evening. For those wanting a bit more activity, there are plenty of hiking routes, or perhaps some fishing or canoeing can be had just a little way down from the hotel. There is a games room and a communal living area with TV for guests.
Guests have multiple dining options, from in-room breakfast and access to BBQ facilities to a shared kitchen where you can cook your own local delicacies with the help of grocery delivery and then settle down for the evening. Free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping, laundry, luggage storage, personalised local tour bookings, car rentals and free parking are among the many convenient amenities provided. This place represents tremendous value for money, and almost all guests rave about the wonderful service and the serene and picturesque location.
Vintage Vista
In Lakkidi, a beautiful retreat located right at the “Gateway to Wayanad” at approximately 700 metres above sea level. This charming place in the misty Western Ghats mountains comes with a perfect mixture of comfort and light adventures, from a spa, an on-site bar and a refreshing garden to water sports activities such as kayaking, fishing and paddleboarding, which would be a dream, thanks to its incredible surroundings. All the rooms at Vintage Vista are designed to meet your needs and preferences, with private balconies or terraces to take in the view, a thick bathrobe, a coffeemaker, a refrigerator and high-quality bed linens.
At the Vintage Vista there is a multi-cuisine restaurant that serves local and global cuisine and a cute coffee shop to hang out in; you could get room service or you could enjoy cooking your own favourite dishes at a well-equipped common kitchen. At the property there is free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and also guided tours with a personal assistant for you and also a car parking space for all the guests.
In case you are travelling via aeroplane and landing at the Calicut International Airport, it would just take a short 1–1.5 hour (approx. 45 km) trip by road to reach your home. Alternatively, you can take a public bus from the airport to Kalpetta, and from there the property can be easily reached by another short drive.
Budget, Convenient Hotels For Your Visit To Ottapalam
The occasion to experience old-world charm does not exist in every journey. Be it a wedding, hospital visit, business trip or just for having a comfortable abode in the centre of the city, there are three other hotels in Ottapalam which cater to this need well.
Thachoos Residency
Looking for an affordable place to stay in Ottapalam, Kerala? Then you can also try THACHOOS RESIDENCY! Their rooms are all fully air-conditioned with flat-screen TVs, minibars, private balconies/terraces, coffee/tea makers, and even free wireless internet all throughout their property! They have a well-chosen range of bathroom facilities and bathrobes, not to mention the quick check-in/out and the option to have daily housekeeping, room service, and laundry service!
Some more of the services you may benefit from include a shuttle bus, personal assistants, tours on scheduled times, and a car park with complimentary charges. Reaching the property and exploring the area is fairly easy with sites like the Mayannur Kavu Sri Kurumba Bagavathy Temple and the Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala Ayurvedic centre, and the river is located just minutes away. The hotel is located just a short walk from Nila, a Kerala restaurant serving some truly flavourful cuisine.
Builda Park Inn
Builda Park Inn is a good-quality 4-star hotel in the centre of Ottapalam, Kerala, with 28 well-maintained rooms in different categories of rooms, like standard, deluxe, executive, and royal suite rooms, where each room contains air conditioning, a colour TV, and good-quality toiletries and linens, while the hotel has its own restaurant that serves delicious Kerala special items and international items with dedicated and hard-working kitchen staff to provide good service to its customers. They also have services like a personal assistant, daily housekeeping, a dry cleaning service, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a large and secure parking space if you are coming by your own car. Most of the guests have appreciated the hotel for its cleanliness, staff performance, and location.
Builda Park Inn, a 4-star hotel in Ottapalam, is located close by important spots like Mayannur Kavu Sri Kurumba Bagavathy Temple and restaurants like Nila. The nearest airport is Calicut International Airport, which is around 60 km away and takes 1.5 hrs to travel to the property by taxi. You can also get a KSRTC bus to travel from Calicut Airport to the property.
Kottaram Hotel
Kottaram Hotel is an affordable option set in a traditional Kerala-style house that’s been renovated into a central Ottapalam accommodation, to which a modern block is appended. Many travellers appreciate the aesthetic of the hotel property with its in-lobby pond, garden areas, and closeness to the Bharathapuzha River and historic homes. While Kottaram is not a luxury hotel, it is a good, no-frills base for those on a short trip, a business trip, or attending a wedding.
Restaurants, such as Nila, just a few minutes’ walk away, serve traditional Kerala cuisine, including biryani, spiced fish curries, and dishes made with local produce. Calicut International Airport is the closest international gateway, located 65 kilometres away, a 1.5 to 2 hour trip via taxi, or a bus trip to Ottapalam’s bus station and a short ride in a rickshaw. Due to varying guest opinions, you should consider reading reviews before reserving if you’re particular about your room.
Hotel Aramana
Hotel Aramana is centrally located in the middle of the town, close to Ottappalam Railway Station and Bharathapuzha. Well connected by roads to all nearby towns and highways, you can reach out to interesting places and destinations easily.
Famous for many a Malayalam movie for its deep rootedness in tradition, diverse culture and traditional charm, Valluvanad attracts a wide range of tourists, business travellers and film folks. Aramana, situated in the very heart of the town, is adjacent to the railway station with panoramic views of the river Nila. The renovated hotel caters to both business and leisure travellers alike. It is a favourite haunt of film-shooting units for its delicious menu, personalised hospitality and thoughtfully provided creature comforts. The facility includes multi-cuisine restaurants, luxurious rooms, round-the-clock service and stunning surroundings.
Krishnapuram Heritage Resort
An exotic mix of Keralan heritage and comfortable modernities, Krishnapuram Heritage Resort is located in the quaint city of Ottapalam. Enjoying a position surrounded by exquisitely landscaped gardens, this tranquil property is a great getaway both for relaxation and an immersion into culture. It is suitable for family stays, with kids aged 7 or below free to stay. Guests can wander through the beautiful gardens; take part in kayaking, paddle boating and fishing activities by the lake; or feast on barbecues and fresh local cuisine served from the restaurant.
The rooms are stocked with essential comforts, including a refrigerator, a tea and coffee maker and high-quality bedding. Added facilities of daily housekeeping, in-house laundry, and express check-in and out make it a convenient home away from home, besides complimentary WiFi and other modern amenities. Other convenient options include airport transfers, city tours, shuttle services, rental cars and onsite car parking. Those looking to explore the locale can visit the age-old Mayannur Kavu Sri Kurumba Bagavathy Temple or enjoy authentic Malabar delicacies at a restaurant like Nila in the neighbourhood. Located at a distance of approximately 55-65 km from Calicut and Cochin airports, this remote heritage spot provides a unique Kerala getaway.
Royal Plaza Residency
Perfect for the business or a tourist with a low budget, Royal Plaza Residency is comfortable and situated in the centre of Ottapalam, a city in Kerala. Private bathrooms and modern-furnished private bathrooms with air-conditioned fittings with free Wi-Fi access, cosy beds, and television sets are in every guest room that is available in two room types (standard room and suites); room service, private dining facilities, and a selection of various international and local dishes on a daily morning spread, as well as an on-site complimentary parking area, are offered here.
Guests have frequently appreciated its friendly staff and its extremely walkable locale—including Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, Shoranur Junction, and the Mayannur Kavu Sri Kurumba Bagavathy Temple—as well as various excellent restaurants nearby (like Nila). But since its child policy includes additional fees for every child under the age of 5, solo travellers or a couple who want some privacy would find it ideal. Although the prices for a room at this understated hotel aren’t nearly as high as typical ones in the neighbourhood, you’ll have high quality for this lower price, and the taxi or the train or bus ride from this property to Coimbatore International Airport is a distance of roughly 70 kms.
Eco Garden, Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur
A stay in a green zone, Eco Garden Cheruthuruthy Thrissur, a 3-star accommodation, is a good stay that takes place in Cheruthuruthy town. It is in a quiet area, about 30 km away from Thrissur City. It went through a renovation in the year 2019 and has a total number of 54 rooms of diverse range – from rooms to suites, which all come with a set of all basic facilities for the travellers to enjoy their time. Guests at this establishment can enjoy a day relaxing in the spa, outdoor pool or yoga room; getting a workout at the fitness centre; having a friendly game of table tennis or badminton; or relaxing among the gardens and games rooms. Food and beverage facilities are inclusive of a restaurant that prepares international and local cuisine, with a special menu available for halal guests, along with 24-hour room service and barbecue facilities for guests.
Each morning, a breakfast buffet is provided for guests at the hotel. A range of conveniences can also be taken advantage of, including free Wi-Fi, daily maid services, laundry and dry cleaning facilities, transfer services to and from the airport, car rental and a complimentary car park.
How to Choose
If this is your first visit to the region and you have time, stay at least a night at a heritage homestay – especially Nivriti or Kalappura. They are still near enough to Ottapalam town for convenience but far enough from the mainstream to feel like a real break from a normal hotel; food will be home-cooked and meals served by a river or a garden, with hosts who are usually only too pleased to fill you in about local lore and history. If immersion in the local culture is paramount – if you’re interested in the state’s classical arts or if you want something that cannot be replicated easily elsewhere – take the time to drive to Olappamanna Mana, but don’t go out of your way there if you are seeking a comfortable or convenient stay.
If your stay is prompted by the logistics – a wedding to attend, a hospital visit or doing business in town – both Thachoos Residency and Kottaram Hotel offer centrally located and affordable stays, with Builda Park Inn a more solid option for a more comprehensive hotel experience (think pool and on-site restaurants). In between these two falls is Anamala Serenity Homestay, which lies somewhere between a health retreat and a heritage experience and is best for those prioritising a little R & R over in-depth cultural immersion.
What’s Around
While any place you end up is good to start with, a few things are worth factoring into your trip no matter where you sleep. A place of significant cultural importance to the area, Kerala Kalamandalam, the state institution dedicated to the learning and practising of classical forms of dance and music such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, offers visitors a fascinating peek into the arts scene of this place. Also a traditional ancestral house with centuries of history, guests at the hotels nearer to the town often talk about taking a short break to visit Varikkassery Mana due to its spectacular architecture and history as a backdrop to many films in Malayalam cinema. Otherwise, simply walking beside the Bharathapuzha River, which many homestays are set on, during sunset is a beneficial experience in itself; the Bharathapuzha is not only the centre point to the area but also, in many ways, what gives this area such a peaceful character when in comparison with the crowded tourist hubs on the coast.
A Few Practical Tips
Almost all of these places are within 10-25 km of Shoranur Junction, the area’s major rail station. Give yourself sufficient travel time on arrival – it’ll take a lot longer if you’re heading for a property slightly off the main track, such as the remote Anamala Serenity or Olappamanna Mana. Your best airport option is Calicut International Airport (Kozhikode), around 45-75 km from your destination.
Like any other homestay or individual hotel, you should call to let your hosts know roughly when you expect to arrive. Most are privately run operations that plan staffing and meals around expected guest traffic, rather than managing a formal reception desk. And if you’re staying in a historic place, it’s never a bad idea to have a quick look at the current pictures online and recent reviews – after all, these are very personalised experiences where changes can be more noticeable than at big, impersonal chain hotels.
Whether it’s a heritage stay on the riverfront or a simple city hotel that you’re hoping to book, Ottapalam offers a real reward for any traveller with a little patience. After all, this is not a region set up primarily for tourists – but that’s precisely the thing that can make your stay here memorable in the right establishment.