Club Mahindra Ashtamudi

We booked two rooms for four people for three nights through MMT. The service from both the stay and F&B teams was attentive, and the whole visit felt five-star. The food and rooms were great, as were the landscaped grounds and waterfront views. There were plenty of daytime activities, though we were out most of the time and didn’t join in. Houseboats and speedboats are available on site, though we didn’t use them. The property is well maintained, check-in and checkout were smooth, and there’s a nice pool that closes at 7 PM. Parking seemed enough for around 10-15 cars, and the access roads were adequate. Small local restaurants and shops are just outside the gate. There’s also a government boat jetty about 50 m away, where outside houseboats can pick up or drop off guests instead of using the jetty on the city side. I’d recommend it for families and get-togethers.

We felt safe the whole time, even at midnight, and the peaceful, beautiful surroundings made our girls’ trip really special. The staff were so welcoming and friendly, too. Just a small toiletries issue: a few basic items weren’t available. Otherwise, we had a wonderful time and enjoyed every moment.

The green surroundings, fresh air, birds, and sunrise and sunset are lovely, and a canoe trip is a nice way to enjoy the backwaters. The property is well done up, and the ambience is great. I was there with my wife for our Alumni 50th year event. But our arrangements had problems. We had agreed on rates that included the grand hall, then were told at the last minute that another group had booked it. That story was hard to believe. We also had no face towels or tissues in the room. Housekeeping did provide the ironing table I’d asked for, but the staff member told me coldly I could use it for only thirty minutes. It stayed in the room all three days. My luggage sat in the lobby for an hour and a half before I carried it to our room myself. The porter, or security staff handling luggage, seemed pleased I was doing it. Staff can be very courteous on the surface, but requests often get forgotten or delayed, perhaps because they’re overwhelmed or under pressure. There also seems to be active trade union activity outside the property. If you need a taxi into town or have something brought in, you may run into union-related problems that I haven’t seen at other Kerala resorts. Come prepared to relax, but don’t negotiate too much with them.

The staff made a real effort to look after us, from reception to the restaurant and activities team. They were polite, helpful, and welcoming. The local Kerala dishes were especially flavorful and authentic, though the food is quite expensive. Activities were well organized and enjoyable without taking over the stay. The calm, family-friendly setting among the Kollam backwaters is a big part of the appeal. Waking up to lake views, greenery, and sunrise was lovely. Our room was spacious, clean, well maintained, and stocked with the essentials; housekeeping kept things comfortable throughout. A peaceful place to spend time with family, and we’d be happy to visit again.