Cherai Beach Resorts

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ll be straight with you about Cherai Beach Resorts – it’s one of those places that grows on you, though maybe not for the reasons you’d expect. When I first pulled up to this spot on Vypin Island, honestly, my expectations weren’t exactly sky-high given that 5.6 rating floating around online. But you know what? Sometimes the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

The thing about Cherai Beach is that it’s still got this wonderfully untouched vibe compared to the more touristy stretches around Kochi. You’re actually staying on an island here – Vypin – which means you’ve got to factor in that ferry ride or the longer drive around through Goshree bridges if you’re coming from the mainland. But that’s sort of the point, isn’t it? The isolation is what keeps this stretch of coastline from being completely overrun. I mean, you can still find spots on the beach where it’s just you, some local fishermen mending their nets, and maybe a few cows wandering down from the village (yes, really – welcome to Kerala). The resort itself sits pretty close to the shore, maybe a two-minute walk, and you’ll hear the waves at night if you keep your windows open, which I definitely recommend because the sea breeze is your best friend in this humidity.

Now, the property itself – well, it’s definitely showing its three-star status, but there’s something charmingly unpretentious about it. The rooms are clean enough, though the hot water can be a bit temperamental in the mornings (pro tip: shower in the evenings when the solar heating has had all day to work). What really won me over was the staff – they’ve got this genuine warmth that you can’t fake, and the guy at the front desk actually remembered my name by day two, which never happens at the fancier places. The restaurant does decent Kerala fish curry, and if you ask nicely, they’ll make it properly spicy instead of the toned-down tourist version. Actually, walk down to the local toddy shops in the evening if you want the real experience – fresh coconut wine and some of the best karimeen fish you’ll taste anywhere. The resort’s pretty quiet most of the time, though weekends can get busy with families from Kochi coming out for day trips. Parking’s never been an issue when I’ve stayed, and check-in is refreshingly drama-free – none of that “your room isn’t ready” nonsense you get at some places. Is it perfect? Definitely not. But if you’re looking for a genuine slice of coastal Kerala without the crowds and inflated prices of Varkala or Kovalam, and you don’t need marble bathrooms and infinity pools to have a good time, this little spot might just surprise you.