Thiruvananthapuram India – 10 Best Places to Stay

Thiruvananthapuram has a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget and is surprisingly much easier on the pocket than many other places in Kerala, especially those in the more popular beach resorts. The city centre offers a great number of places to stay, including opulent resorts; mid-range purpose-built hotels; homestays; and economy options with varying levels of comfort. Most of these are located within a short distance from the airport and the central station, which is convenient for both moving-on as well as exploring the city.

Budget

If you are on a tight budget a district called Thampanoor, a short walk away from both the railway station and the KSRTC bus station, is a good option.

Sangeetha Tourist Home, on Mosque Lane, in Thampanoor, is a simple no-thrills hotel offering basic, clean rooms with all the usual facilities. It does, however, charge extra for bedsheets and towels. Laundry, breakfast and snacks are available upon request but will be added to your bill. Sangeetha Tourist Home is mostly popular with those on the move and is a good choice for an overnight stay. Prices start from INR700, but please keep in mind that room rates do go up during peak season.

Greenland Lodge is another no-thrills option for a quick stopover, located on Thampanoor Junction, in the city centre. It is large, efficient and offers comfortable, plain rooms. It is also conveniently located to a number of amenities, including many fast-food joints as well as the bus and the railway station. The staff are helpful and friendly and will be happy to assist you when it comes to recommendations, but do not expect any added extras such as laundry service, or around the clock reception assistance. Room prices start from around INR750 but the hotel also offers more luxurious rooms with air conditioning and hot water, which cost around INR1500.

If you are, however, happy to move a little further away form the convenience of nearby transport facilities Viswasangeetham Homestay, near Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, is another good option and one that’s relatively family-friendly. The hotel is three storeys high with 8 large, clean, modern rooms, including dormitory ones, with complimentary wi-fi, towels and bedsheets. The staff at this place are exceptionally warm and helpful and will be able to assist you with most of your queries. The use of kitchen and lounge are generously offered and encouraged. Prices at Viswasangeetham Homestay start from INR800, but again please note that room rates tend to go up during peak season. It is, however, worth having a barter as you may just get a discount if you’re courteous enough.

Another place we recommend you consider as a budget stay is the Hotel Galaxy Inn, on Power House Road, Maakkada Lane, which is situated behind Thiruvananthapuram railway station. It is also conveniently located near the Airport and the KSRTC bus stand. The Hotel offers, large, neat en suite rooms with heating facilities, TVs, and basic but well maintained facilities. Attached to the hotel is a café, with a small but diverse menu catering for both vegetarian and non vegetarian guests. Orbit café is a great place to stop for a quick meal or a snack. The staff there are very efficient and will be able to assist you with both food and sightseeing recommendations. Prices at Hotel Galaxy Inn start from INR850.

Mid-range

A choice of mid-rage hotels in Thiruvananthapuram is far greater, with one of the most popular being Vedanta Wake Up – Central Station, on S. S. Kovil Road, Housing Board Junction, in Thampanoor. A double-deluxe room at this particular hotel will set you back about INR2250 but you will be guaranteed a service with a smile, an air-conditioned room with a sea view terrace, a flat-screen TV, complimentary mineral water, free wi-fi and a hot shower. Please note, however, that hot water is only available for limited periods of time. Vedanta Wake Up is a good option for families, and international visitors for it is located within a stone’s throw away from various tourist attractions which you can visit by bicycle, on loan from the hotel itself.

Elisa International, near Malayala Manorama in Thampanoor, is somewhat renowned for its accommodating staff and welcoming atmosphere, which is both perfectly tailored for a short romantic city break as well as a family weekend away. The rooms at Elisa International are spacious, immaculately clean, with nice tiled bathrooms, large TVs, excellent wi-fi and room service. Prices start from around INR1500.

Another mid-range option with a bit of a difference is the Trivandrum Hotel, on YMCA Road, situated near the Secretariat Statue, in the heart of the city. The hotel is a heritage house with a traditional Keralan exterior, and an interior which reflects something of a bygone age. The facilities, however, are modern and in perfect working condition, the rooms are large, comfortable and very clean, with air conditioning, TVs and coffee and tea making facilities. The staff are great, and the food at the in-house restaurant is something to definitely sample. We recommend you try the traditional chemba rice meal or the thali. Please keep in mind, however, that the restaurant tends to get busy on the weekends therefore it is best to get there half an hour before dinner time. Room prices start from INR1500.

If you are looking for something more modern, however, in the same price bracket head for Hotel Town Tower, on Press Road. The hotel is exceptionally clean, has large rooms, air conditioning, TVs and many nearby restaurants, shops and places to visit. The staff are on call during the day and will be able to assist you with most of your queries. Room service is efficient and rickshaw wallahs are usually parked outside the entrance to take you to your desired destination. Prices start from around INR1700, but availability and rates peak during high season. We recommend you book in advance.

Top End

The one thing this capital city has plenty of is outstanding luxury hotels, one of which is the Hilton Garden Inn located on Punnen Road, a quiet street minutes’ away from MG Road, the main strip of the city, close to many colonial architectural landmarks. The hotel itself is a modern heaven made for a truly sumptuously atmospheric and relaxing stay. The rooms are spacious, tastefully decorated and tailored to accommodate even the most demanding of guests. The hotel staff are immaculately well-mannered, amiable and accommodating. The hotel also houses the famous Garden Grille Restaurant, where both the wine and the food menu serves International and local fare. While there we suggest you try their traditional Keralan fish curry or the Sri Lanka dinner buffet, which offers a wide array of delicious curries and masala dishes. Prices at the Hilton Garden Inn start from around INR5000.

Close nearby is another excellent upmarket landmark hotel, which is renowned for its luxurious interior, its hospitality and its uber-efficient staff. The Vivanta by Taj, located on Vazhuthacaud Road, is ideally situated to many tourist attractions, restaurants and worthwhile evening entertainment venues. The hotel itself offers every luxury to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible. The rooms are well appointed, airy, beautifully decorated and come with all the facilities to accommodate your every need, including toiletries, extra towels, daily housekeeping, room service, on-call front desk manager, a swimming pool and an in-house restaurant, serving a varied menu of Keralan, International and Asian Fusion cuisine. A night at this place will set you back around INR7000. But it’ll be money well spent if you’re after a day or two of pure self indulgence.