Soma Kerala Palace

A memorable stay in a truly distinctive place. The rooms are well preserved and have a lovely heritage feel, and the food is delicious. The hotel sits on a beautiful island in the middle of a serene lake, with breathtaking views all around.

The rooms aren’t especially high-end, but they’re reasonably good, and the food is a bit costly. Still, it’s a great spot for a weekend with family. The island is neatly maintained, and the resort has lovely views of the fish nets and backwaters. Coconut trees are everywhere, with nets tied between them for relaxing. Lying in those nets was great. Although the resort is on an island, the staff took good care of us and got us there by boat. The views are wonderful, and it’s a very good resort.

You need to order food early because nothing is kept ready and it’s all made from scratch. That takes some planning, but the quality and taste are excellent. Since the resort is on an island, there aren’t many options for eating outside. The service is exceptional, and the resort is beautiful, with good spots for photos and lovely sunset views. There’s also a Yoga Hall, Swimming Pool and Ayurvedic massages to try. The rooms are little homes built as separate shacks, all with a wooden theme. A must visit if you’re in the area.

The island setting in the backwaters is beautiful, and the hotel is peaceful, with friendly, helpful staff. There’s a yoga center, a meditation area and an Ayurveda center offering different treatments. German tourists seem to visit often, and there’s quite a collection of German books. It’s a good fit for a group looking to unwind for several days, with lovely food, though it’s pricey and there’s nowhere else to eat on the island. The remote location makes it a poor choice as a sightseeing stop: getting to the mainland means taking a 10-minute boat ride.