Aranya Nivas

Our group stayed here as part of a Mercury tour, the rooms were comfortable although basic with air conditioning, kettle facilities & bottled water provided. Breakfast, lunch & dinner were buffet style, plenty of options available & staff were helpful. Lovely venue situated within the reserve, only stipulation is no wandering alone through the reserve after a curfew time.

a month ago

A beautiful and relaxing boat ride through tiger habitat. But don't be as ignorant as a small group of Australian men near us who kept loudly complaining they hadn't see any tigers. The wildlife here is lovely bit tigers are private wild animals they don't perform for mindless tourists. Enjoy the boat ride through lovely forests. You will probably see water buffalo, groups of deer, perhaps a boar or two and plenty of birds, cormorants, kingfishers, etc. Be realistic and just enjoy the peaceful calm trip.

2 months ago

Pros: Located inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady, close to the boating area. Adequate parking space available. Guaranteed boat tickets, eliminating the need for online booking. Backed by KTDC’s trusted service and reliability. Cons: Rooms are below expectations in terms of luxury but are well-maintained. Entry is restricted after 5:30 PM, and exit is allowed only after 6:30 AM. Restaurant quality is average with limited menu options; buffet refills can take time. Swimming pool facilities, including shower and changing areas, are only partially available. Summary: The property stands out for its prime location inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, offering a unique and serene ambience. However, room amenities are modest, and the facilities are not comparable to those of star-rated hotels. Overall, it provides an excellent experience for nature lovers with some compromises on luxury.

a week ago

Except for the location which is inside the tiger reserve, nothing works for this.you get to see Porcupine and Sambar deer.The rooms , food specially the buffet breakfast needs improvement. Don't book boating tickets online as it's expensive 450 inr otherwise it's 255 inr. If you stay at this property then boating tickets are assured.

a week ago

We were a group of 12 adults and 3 children who stayed for 2 nights in 4 jungle-view rooms and a suite. Our experience was excellent. The rooms were immaculate and equipped with all the amenities as advertised. We enjoyed visits from porcupines and sambar deer in the evening, and we even had the opportunity to feed them. Monkeys were frequently seen around the property, and we also spotted bison near the hotel. Booking boating excursions through the hotel was very straightforward. We had breakfast and dinner at the hotel; both meals were served buffet-style with a wide variety of options and were quite tasty. The hospitality was exceptional, with all staff—front office, restaurant, housekeeping, and security—displaying a warm and friendly demeanor. However, as the hotel is located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve, entry is not permitted after 5:30 PM, which limits evening activities (with the exception of jungle trekking). This was the only drawback we encountered. We will certainly be returning to this location.

4 months ago

This is a KTDC resort right in the middle of the reserve. Everything of this resort is awesome except the maintainance. The main building is nice and well maintained but the activity rooms are in pathetic condition including the Library. Imagine they have library also! The periyar lake view point where the lake boating happens is inside this resort. So in morning just 2 min walking to the boating point. Also you get first preference for boat tickets of you stay here and other two KTDC resorts inside jungle. KTDC has dedicated souvenir shop inside the premises. This resort also has a Beer library inside where you can enjoy beers. Breakfast options are limited and even dinner is also mainly buffet with a fixed price per person. One major drawback of this resort is if you stay here you can’t see the Kathakali and martial art events because the entry to the tiger reserve closes before these events timing. Overall it’s an awesome place and must visited.

a week ago

One of KTDC's resorts is situated within the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The ambiance and location are exceptional. However, the property could benefit from significant maintenance and improvement. The garden outside the deluxe rooms is in poor condition and requires immediate attention. On a positive note, guests can experience animal visits during the nighttime, which can be a truly remarkable experience.

a month ago

3* hotel with old school charm and helpful staff in the middle of the forest. Food at the restaurant is limited and is expensive for what it is. The evening buffet is around Rs 525+ tax, definitely overpriced, but you can't leave the compound after 5.30pm, so you are a captive audience. Rooms are huge and clean. No AC except in suit rooms, however possible to manage without except in peak summer. Teething maintenance issues here and there with plumping, but told the reception, and they fixed it quickly. Mini fridge in the rooms to chill your own beer. Furniture old but bedding comfortable and clean. Some recreational activities like badminton, table tennis, carroms, and snooker table in an anex building which are free to use. Also some poorly maintained bicycles to use. Tea and coffee, filtered water in refillable glass bottles in the rooms. Need to pay re-entry fee every day of the stay if you are doing activities like hiking and boating. You will see an almost domesticated deer and porcupines come around in ge evening. FYI: You are more likely to see animals coming to drink water in the lake during dry season. Also, a little tip for the staff goes a long way

a month ago