Mid-range (US$10-35/Rs250-1000 per room night)
Although the Taj Group have a proposal to develop one of Trivandrum’s old palaces into a hotel by the end of 1993, there are at present no five-star hotels in the city. The better properties are near Kovalam. The most interesting hotel_ is the renov ated KTDC Mascot Hotel (tel 68990, 68475, tlx 0435-229), a well-located hotel at the top of M.G. Road, near museum complex, with a pool, a sauna, and rooms from Rs700.
Similar 437 standards at the new Hotel Luciya Continental, East Fort (tel 73443, tlx 435-330, fax 0471-73347), offering swish air-con rooms at Rs450 single, Rs800 double. Opposite the Secretariat, Hotel Pankaj (tel 76667, tix 0884-323 PNKJ IN) is the least ‘Indian’ of Trivandrum’s big hotels. It can be snobby (very reluctant to show backpackers rooms) and food is pricey, but there’s good service, stylish rooms from Rs375 single, Rs500 double and a nice roof-top restaurant. Fort Manor, Power House Junction (tel 70002, tix 435-246) is centrally located, has good facilities and rooms from Rs450 single, Rs600 double.
Budget (under US$10/Rs250 per room night)
At the budget end, a good place to stay is Taurus Lodge, located down Statue Road. It’s run by ‘George’, one of those polite, informative lodge-owners who help make travel in India a joy, rather than a continual struggle. Rooms are clean and quiet and the best ones (Nos. 21, 24 and 25) are spacious, with good views. Whatever you want to know about Trivandrum, its culture, transport, entertainments or shopping, ask George. The KTDC Chaithram in Station Road (tel 75777) has rooms from Rs300 single, Rs350 double. The central Highlands, Manjalikulam Road, Thampanoor (tel 78440, 78466) has rooms from Rs250 single, Rs275 double.
EATING OUT
The best upmarket restaurants are at Hotel Shanti Woodlands (Thycaud) and Hotel Pankaj. Both offer mid-priced quality fare in air-con comfort. For great grills (burgers etc.) and Indian food, try Kalabara Restaurant near Taurus Lodge. The opposite Mayfair Hotel has a good bar. Two popular restaurants with more local food are Ananda Bhavan and Athul Jyoti, both in M.G. Rd, just along from the Secretariat.
GENERAL INFORMATION
KSTDC Tourist Office (tel 61132) is at Parkview, opposite the museum complex. It has very friendly, helpful staff and excellent published information, including a useful festival list for Kerala.
KSTDC Reception Centre (tel 75031, near the bus-stand in Station Rd), is open 6 am-10 pm, also very helpful, and sells a number of tours: Trivandrum city sightseeing, Rs60; Kanyakumari; Thekkady (Periyar), Rs150. There is also an information I counter at the airport (tel 71085).
GPO is just off M.G. Rd, between the bus/rail stations and the Secretariat. Indian Airlines (tel 66370, apt 72228) is at Mascot Junction. Air India (tel 64837, apt 71426) is at Veilyambalam . Gulf Air use Jet Air, Saran Chambers, Diamond Hill (tel 68003, 67514). Two good travel agents, for air tickets and for tours, are Sherif Travel, Patan Palace Junction, and Tour India (tel 79407) in M.G. Rd.
