Grand Thekkady is an upscale hotel located in Thekkady, in the Western Ghats of Kerala, close to Periyar Reserve and the spice plantations that define the region's reputation. The establishment combines 32 rooms, a restaurant, a café and an Ayurvedic spa on a single site, designed for travelers on circuit tours seeking a comfortable stopover between Munnar and the coast.

Why stay here

Thekkady cannot be visited in a single day: Periyar Reserve, guided hikes, visits to cardamom and pepper plantations require at least two nights on site. Grand Thekkady addresses this need with significant capacity (32 rooms) and services grouped on-site, which means you won't need to search for restaurants or wellness facilities elsewhere in the evening.

The hotel targets an international clientele rather than backpackers: comfort standards, the presence of an Ayurvedic spa and a selection of three room categories make it a suitable choice for travelers seeking consistent hotel-level amenities throughout their Kerala circuit.

Atmosphere

The establishment adopts a classical register typical of mid-altitude hotels in Kerala: generous volumes, dark wood furnishings, references to local decorative vocabulary (textiles, brass lamps). The air is cooler than in the plains, with Thekkady's altitude hovering around 900 meters, and evenings may require a light jacket, even during the dry season.

The rooms

The hotel offers 32 rooms divided into three categories: Suite, Super Deluxe and Deluxe. The gradation primarily concerns size and equipment level. Specific details (view, exposure, bed type) vary depending on allocation: it is useful to specify your preferences at the time of booking, particularly for travelers sensitive to noise or wishing for a garden-facing room.

On-site services

• Restaurant and café on-site, convenient for late returns from safari or hiking in Periyar
• Ayurvedic spa, a Kerala signature, best booked in advance as slots are limited during peak season
• Reception and group-tour services tailored to circuit travelers

The Ayurvedic spa is an attraction in its own right: Thekkady and Kerala in general constitute the epicenter of this wellness tradition, and a session after several days on the road is part of the regional experience.

Location

Thekkady is located in eastern Kerala, near the border with Tamil Nadu. Allow approximately 4 hours by road from Munnar and 4 to 5 hours from Madurai (nearest airport on the Tamil Nadu side) or Cochin. The town is organized around the entrance to Periyar Reserve; most hotels, including Grand Thekkady, are situated within short distance of this central point.

What to see and do nearby

• Periyar Reserve: boat trips on the lake, guided walking excursions, observation of elephants and bison
• Spice plantations: visits to cardamom, pepper, vanilla and coffee farms
• Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performances in the evening in central Thekkady
• Spice markets to purchase green cardamom and premium black pepper

To extend your Thekkady stay with other properties in Kerala or southern Inde, also consider Cardamom County Thekkady, Clouds Valley, Germanus or Fort Queen.

Organize your stay

Grand Thekkady fits well into a Kerala circuit combining Cochin, Alleppey backwaters, Munnar and Thekkady. To build the full itinerary and align nights with transfers, consult our trips to Inde.