Kerala & around in 2 weeks: New Traveller - where to go?

tstfs

I just booked my room there it cost me 18000 for 2 nights

htid

:O What type of room? That's obviously 9000 a night, we're paying 7400 per night for the Sea View Pavillion for the nights of 22 23 24 May. According to your location, you're a resident of India, which means rooms are cheaper, so I assume you went for the club room or something?

pundabee

Could you please qualify this statement?

machadinha

I agree with the question marks as such; however, many hotels openly advertize different rates (and not just in terms of currency) for Indian nationals and for foreigners. Just look up the average Indian hotel's website. I guess this may be more common at the somewhat higher end (and hence represented on the web), I'm not sure. But scouring the web for people I come across it more often than not.

At the budget end and personally, how was I to know what a local would pay, I can't understand what's being said or negotiated at the counter. I often had the impression prices would differ, and I didn't mind, fair enuff. And I'm not one to argue over 10 Rs. in a 40 Rs. room.

I'm only saying the remark doesn't seem so widely off the mark.

__________________
Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

tstfs

we have taken beach view deluxe room and on a weekend too. I hope I didn't get conned

pundabee

Interesting. I have never come across such discrimination on the sites I visit, but then again, I don't stay in excessively expensive accommodation. And I would never stay in a place that had differentiated rates depending on nationality.

Actually, I very much doubt that you will be able to find such places in Kerala. Of course, Indians may be able to get lower prices alone because of their bargaining abilities.

tstfs

can you recommend some good places in alleppy/komarokom, munnar thekkaddy. Nottoo expensive but nice places. I am travelling with my wife and 2 kids (4&8) .
or is it better to land up in the place and then search. I understand malyalam very well and kind of speak it too

machadinha

Yes, I suppose if you spend more than a few thoughts on it it really sux btw.

In practice however, since you're unlikely to change it then and there, there's little point in getting upset about it. The price differential debate as such has been done numerous times here, and doesn't look to end any time soon; I guess the happiest way to look at it is just be glad in the knowledge it guarantees possibilities to your fellow Indian tourists as well. Of which there are of course many many more.

This site alone for that matter stands to testify that by and large Indians have far more opportunities today to explore their own country than they did say a decade or two ago; and I'm very happy with that. Our (foreigners') concerns over however many Rupees pale by comparison I feel.

htid

Actually, I was referring to the Leela in Kovalam, specifically. When you go on the rates and reservations page, it asks if you are a resident of India. If I put no, the price was $185 a night, if I put yes (I was curious to see if there was a difference) it was about $140 a night (don't quote me on that, it was a few weeks ago that I checked). I don't really mind the fact that it costs more for us, simply because it wages are much higher over here as opposed to there. I'm not trying to show off, but that's not even half a weeks wage for me, whereas I assume the average Indian would have more trouble justifying $185 per night (and even $140). I had trouble justifying it myself!

tstfs

I agree. 18000/- for 2 nights is expensive according to Indian paychecks.
How is your trip getting along. decided where to stay in Munnar/Thekkady? I still have to check out the places.

htid

Yes we have it all planned, just not booked (except the Leela). Munnar we're staying in a homestay called Rose Gardens homestay, which was well recommended on tripadvisor and for Thekkady, we'll be at Chrissies Hotel, which was recommended both on tripadvisor and on here

What dates are you in the Leela? Maybe we'll see you around

tstfs

chrissies seems a nice place, I will try to book it tonite. for 3 days (13-15, May) I am at the Leela on the 30th and 31st of may . Yes maybe we will see you around. I plan to go to Munnar after periyar,

tstfs

but rose garden is 10 Km from Munnar, would like a place closer to the hills. lets see. I am going back to Kerala after 18 years, and have never been to Munnar, periyar ot kumarokom. I am basicaly a malyalee (i.e. a person originating from Kerala) and my children have never seen Kerala so its a kind of discover your roots kid of trip mixed with a holiday

htid

We we'll only be at the Leela from 22-25th so won't see you there it seems.

As for Munnar, we specifically looked for places outside of the town as it was suggested on here that everything worth seeing is in the surrounding area rather than the town and you get better views. I thought Rose Gardens was more in the hills than Munnar itself, but I'm not sure now then.

tstfs