Blame it on high expectation or lack of enough paperwork or research, we were a bit disappointed with our stay at the Lake Palace.

We stayed for 2 nights and the drive from jungle retreat wayanad to Thekady was done in 7 hours. The initial impression, especially the thrilling boat ride to the lake palace was just amazing as we could see sambar deer on the banks drinking and grazing.

The lake palace is more like an old colonial house set in a small island in the periyar lake. What a concept, but the place looked run down at close inspection. If you count the rooms out then the experience was wonderful especially the views. But since you are in a tiny island, you do have to spend a lot of time inside the room - which was perhaps the weakest link in our stay.

The view offered was exhilarating, the boat ride was very good - but since we had to share the boat with 40 school children who found it very amusing to sing all the way along, all hopes of seeing the tiger quicky evaporated!

Nevertheless a unique experience, but not sure if I would openly suggest this to all.

In the middle of the lake it is the best place in thekkady. Owned by Govt. KTDC the service is excellent . the caretaker is devoted towards comfort of the guest . food is excellent. The place is ideal for wildlife lovers, though one can not spot much. there is a greater chance to spot from the hotel itself.

Our stay in the Periyar Lake Palace was part of a long trip through Kerala. We stayed over three weeks in the following places: Wayanad (Tranquil Plantation), Fort Cochin (Old Harbour Hotel), Munnar (The Windermere State), Periyar (The Lake Palace), the Backwaters (the Green Lagoon) a cruise through the Backwaters (Discovery HouseBoat) and finally in Kovallam (the Taj Green Cove).

We planned our trip with a number of guides and feedback obtained in the Internet (lots of it in Trip Advisor) and then contacted a couple of local travel agencies to help us setting up the trip. We finally decided to go with Indian Moments, that was a wise decision, since they proved to be extremely helpful and professional. For specific feedback on the remaining Hotels/resorts, I would refer you to their page in trip advisor.

In a previous trip to Kerala ten years ago I wanted to stay in this place but finally didnot make it. I had been looking forward staying here but after reading some of the feedback in Trip Advisor I was afraid of what I was going to find.

The critics I had read said this was very expensive and that you didnot get what you were paying for. I could not disagree more.

Is it expensive for Indian standards? Yes, no doubt. Could it be cheaper, I guess. But what you pay when you come to the Lake Palace is being the absolute exclusivity to be leaving in the house of the Maraja of Travancore, with only six other rooms, being in the middle of the Periyar reserve. When other tourists had to wait in the maingate of the park one hour to embark with other 50 passengers in a boat, you just arrive, are picked up on the spot by the boat and leave for the hotel. When other tourists are not allowed to stay after 5pm in the reserve, at that time you see from your terrace, the boats leaving, and you enjoy your cup of tea, watching how the elephants come out of the Forrest. When tourist arrive the next day at 9:30, you have been having breakfast for an hour seeing the wildlife.

We stayed in room 44 (a must). Has the best view and the best terrace of the hotel (which only has 6 rooms).

As it happen also in the Tranquil Plantation, was of the best things about the hotel was the people. We are so grateful for his kindness and attention to Dinesh. Everything always under control and he really made what he always repeated: “we want our guest to feel at their home, not at a hotel”. Also his assitant Vishnu, helfpul and smiling, being a great professional. Last but not least our dear Cook Mohamed (sorry for spelling) with whom we discussed everyday our dinner and our taste so that he Taylor made all of our dishes.

With no doubt, a place you MUST visit.

This hotel isn't really a hotel - it is 'your home in the middle of an Indian Tiger reserve'. we were met by Sanji, our butler for the 3 nights we were there and he showed us around, took us on a walk to familiarise us with the hotel, the team and its environs and then planned with us what we wanted to eat over the next 24 hours. You name it (within reason) they'll cook it!
It's all inclusive except alcohol and for a family of 4 was about £1000 for 3 nights. Some basic tours are included including a trek through the jungle during which we saw close-up deers, several species of Monkeys in the wild and elephants across the water. fi you're there for 3-5 days there's enough to do, especially if you plan some chilling out.
Views are stunning and at night there is no-on else around. This is the old hunting lodge of the Maharajah and only has 6 double rooms - bedrooms are very nice (AC not needed at the altitude) bathrooms average.
We loved it and will be going back.