Aranya Nivas

Thekkady Aranya Nivas has been a marvelous experience, contributed equally by its picturesque location, spacious and we'll appointed rooms and excellent staff. I have stayed there from 4th to 6th October, 2025 at room 105. I will call out the superb service of Mr. Sudheesh, who was in charge of F&B. He personally supervised all the guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner, spending time at each table with a smiling face. Overall, highly recommended. @ShikhaSurendra, IAS, MD KTDC, Ma'am your team here is doing an outstanding job. My congratulations for leading and inspiring them to enable such a wonderful guest experience.

a week ago

We stayed at this hotel which is inside the reserve . The rooms are ok but not upto the standard of a resort in the middle of the National reserve park .No mosquito net in the windows to let the fresh air in from the green surroundings, no activities in the evening or good area to chill or enjoy inside the property. You will be stuck in the room from 5.30 pm onwards with no activites to indulge. No benefits in staying if someone thinks of benefitting from the nature around given the fact it is inside the reserve park. Only highlight was that the restaurant service was good .Sudheesh the restaurant operator was excellent with the service and thanks to chef Pramod who accommodated to our taste.

2 weeks ago

Had a fantastic time at Thekkady boating with my family! The serene surroundings and tranquil waters made for a perfect day out. The boat ride through the Periyar Lake was breathtaking, with opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the scenic views. The staff were friendly and helpful, making the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommend Thekkady boating for a relaxing and memorable family trip

a week ago

The rooms were just okay. Not too much to expect. The food quality needs to improved a lot. Cold pale food was served. The price of food was too high. However the hospitality service was good. Mr. Sudeesh (F&B incharge) took care of us personally at the restuarant.

a week ago

Touching periyar lake.. easy access to boating.. Stuff will help you to book preffered boating tickets.. Food is good.. Not much of view from room.. Disadvantages is you are stuck inside after 5pm as gate closed. We missed to attain show like kailari and kathkalli due to this restriction...

a week ago

Stayed with my family (two kids) and booked a premium room—it was really spacious, neat, and clean. It’s an old building, I guess, but it still has that old luxury style. While we were in the room, we even had a “special guest” — a monkey on our balcony — which was a fun moment for the kids. The pool was good and hygienic. Dinner was very good; overall the food was great.

2 months ago

Excellent experience/stay right near the lake waters, where boating starts. The stay is in a forest. Boating tickets are assured for hotel guests. They got us upper deck seats towards the front. So we had amazing views. Staff was very hospitable and attentive. The stay in the forest and the walks we would do in the forest was a unique and wonderful experience. We got to spot a few birds and animals. Highly recommend to watch the documentary on Periyar animals playing in the hotel lobby before going for boating. Food was just ok, but the restaurant staff was really good.

a month ago

This place has such potential!!!!! Everyone was very kind here but I gave only 3 stars for several reasons. This is a government run hotel and is very expensive for Indian standards which is fine because we believe that the funds go to the Tiger Reserve yet with that being said, the place needs expert clean up, maintenance and some renovation especially for the price! Then the main door to the pool is in the main hallway that you must pass to get to the restaurant, to the reception area or to simply come and go from the hotel. The floors there are a very slick tile which is constantly wet from people leaving the pool with water dripping from them. This means it is a hazard. My daughter slipped and hurt herself thankfully she is flexible so after a few minutes of crying was ok, but I worry for the elderly. At the least they should put up signs to warn guests and then make a plan to change either the entrance to the pool or create a mandatory feet drying area before you re-enter the building for instance. The next major issue is kitchen hygiene. Although the restaurant food was very delicious, every time me or my family enjoyed it, we became sick with diarrhea and or vomiting. Chefs and any kitchen staff need explicit training. This means that they should always ONLY USE PURIFIED WATER TO WASH ANY FOODOR UTENSILS. Along with the regular hand washing and other kitchen hygiene rules that apply. I hope that management will push for change and that the government will bring this place up to speed so that everyone can continue enjoying what it has to offer.

a month ago