Asia / Asia Hotels / India Hotels / Kerala Hotels /

The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Kerala

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Kerala

Houseboats on the Backwaters of Kerala Houseboats on the Backwaters of Kerala

Visiting Kerala for the first time can be an exciting, yet overwhelming experience. With so many incredible hotels to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to stay. If you're deciding where to stay for your first visit to Kerala, we've compiled a list of the best hotels for first time visitors. We analyzed all of the hotels in Kerala based on price, location, amenities, guest ratings, and more to determine which would be the ideal places to stay for first timers. Whether you're here for just a few days or longer, these hotels offer the perfect combination of amenities, location, and price. For those visiting Kerala for the first time, it's important to choose a hotel in a safe and convenient area to make the most of your first visit. You'll want to be close to the activities, shopping, and dining options, of course. When looking for hotels, consider the amenities they offer. Some hotels may have a fitness center, a bar or restaurant, a pool, or even a spa. All of these features can add to your overall enjoyment if you've never been to Kerala before. Also, guest ratings and reviews are also important to consider when choosing a hotel. Whether you're visiting Kerala for the first time, or you're a seasoned traveler, the best hotels in Kerala for first-timers offer the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and affordability. So, here's our list of suggestions for your next trip.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

The Leela Kovalam

Trivandrum, Kerala
5-star Resort with prices starting at $192 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

Located at Kempinski Kovalam Beach, The Leela Kovalam has great rooms from $192 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving. It has a terrific 9.20 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 186 km from the city center, first time visitors will especially love snorkeling, a bar, a kid-friendly buffet, child care, and laundry services at this relaxing hotel. Unwinding at the restaurant after sightseeing is a nice way to end the day.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Infinity pool
  • Kids' club
View Prices and Reviews


Malabar House

Kochi, Kerala
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $238 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Kerala
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

A great place to stay is Malabar House which has nice rooms starting at $238. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and child care, it also has a great guest rating of 9.20 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 1/268 – 1/269 Parade Road. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers laundry services, city views, cooking classes, a spa and wellness center, and a spa which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 28.8 km from the city center. Make sure to set aside some time for swimming in the pool, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Luxury
View Prices and Reviews


Windermere Estate

Munnar, Kerala
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $147 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

We found Windermere Estate to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $147. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, breakfast, and hiking, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.00 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at P.O Box 21, Pothamedu. You'll also find mountain views, child care, laundry services, a free breakfast, and cooking classes which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 62.4 km from the center of town. The indoor pool here is terrific, and makes for a great place to relax and have fun no matter what the weather is like.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Coffee shop
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


LakeRose Wayanad Resort

Kalpetta, Kerala
4-star Resort with prices starting at $129 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Kerala
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

With terrific rooms from $129, LakeRose Wayanad Resort, at Karapuzha dam, Vazhavatta provides an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a kid-friendly buffet. Its terrific guest rating is 9.30 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers mountain views, laundry services, a hot tub, a spa and wellness center, and a game room. It's located just 183.6 km from the city center, too. You'll love relaxing in the hot tub at the end of the day, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool
View Prices and Reviews


Kumarakom Lake Resort

Kottayam, Kerala
5-star Resort with prices starting at $346 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

Kumarakom Lake Resort has a great guest rating of 9.10 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. The great rooms here start at $346 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at Kumarakom North Post. Furthermore, it also offers breakfast, child care, laundry services, a free breakfast, and a hot tub, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 43.8 km from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. Nothing says relaxation like having room service delivered.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Private pool
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Infinity pool
View Prices and Reviews


Reds Residency - Homestay

Kochi, Kerala
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $13 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

The great guest rating of Reds Residency - Homestay is 8.90 out of 10. This place has a water park, a fitness center, scuba diving, snorkeling, and hiking. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $13, and it's located at 11/372, Beach Road, Near Dronacharya Main Gate, Fortcochin. We also love the rooms with kitchens, rooms with kitchenettes, laundry services, golf, and city views which are great for visitors. And since it's just 28.8 km from the center of the town, the location is great, too. It's always nice to have a kitchenette to cook some basic meals or have an easy breakfast. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Water park
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Taj Kumarakom Resort and Spa Kerala

Kottayam, Kerala
5-star Resort with prices starting at $184 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Kerala
  • Family-Friendly
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

A cool place is Taj Kumarakom Resort and Spa Kerala because it has great rooms that start at $184. It has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, it also earned a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 1/404 Kumarakom. Only 42.3 km from the city center, travelers will especially love a kid-friendly buffet, child care, laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, and a hot tub at this convenient hotel.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Coffee shop
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


Taj Malabar Resort & Spa Cochin

Kochi, Kerala
5-star Resort with prices starting at $105 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • Family-Friendly
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

Taj Malabar Resort & Spa Cochin offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $105 (before taxes). It's located at Willingdon Island and has earned a guest rating of 8.60/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers child care, laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, a spa and wellness center, and a game room which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 26.7 km from the city center.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Coffee shop
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool
View Prices and Reviews


Kaivalyam Wellness Retreat

Munnar, Kerala
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $63 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Kerala
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

Located at Moolakada, Pallivasal, Kaivalyam Wellness Retreat has great rooms from $63 (before taxes). It offers a restaurant, a fitness center, a kid-friendly buffet, breakfast, and hiking. It has a terrific 9.40 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find mountain views, laundry services, cooking classes, a hot tub, and a spa and wellness center which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 60.6 km from the center of town.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Breakfast included
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


Magnolia Guesthouse Varkala

Varkala, Kerala
Guest House with prices starting at $41 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

A great place to stay is Magnolia Guesthouse Varkala which has nice rooms starting at $41. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and rooms with kitchens, it also has a great guest rating of 9.40 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Odayam Beach Road. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers rooms with kitchenettes, child care, laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, and cooking classes. It's located just 140.6 km from the city center, too. Having a kitchen means that you'll be able to cook, which is very convenient when you're on the road. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Kitchen
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Also, take a look at the First Time Trip hotels in nearby destinations: Kochi, Munnar, Kumily, Kottayam, and Alappuzha.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Kerala, make sure you also see Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Kerala, Best Beach Hotels in Kerala, Best Cheap Hotels in Kerala, Best Luxury Hotels in Kerala, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Kerala, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Kerala, Best Hotels for One Week in Kerala, Best Hotels for One Night in Kerala, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Kerala, or Best Business Hotels in Kerala.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Kerala?

Kerala Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$63

Visitors will find a large range of terrific first time trip hotel choices when planning a visit to Kerala. The price of these first time trip hotels can vary according to location, type, and amenities. The average first time trip hotel price in Kerala based on data from 113 hotels is an affordable $63. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Kerala.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 5-star hotels: $119
  • 4-star hotels: $89
  • 3-star hotels: $48
  • 2-star hotels: $26


Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. On this website you can also find travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
Share This Page

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.