India Guide
Kerala
Accommodation
1 
Ariya Niwas Aristo Rd, Thampanoor 
0471/233 0789 Large, spotless, well-aired rooms with comfy beds and city views from upper floors. The best value in this bracket and only 2min walk from the railway station. AAriya Niwas Ariya Niwas hotel, Aristo Junction, Thampanoor. The scrupulously clean dining room on the ground floor serves top-class south Indian vegetarian thalis dished up on shiny green banana leaves (Rs40 per head; "No Sharing"). It's hugely popular with everyone from office workers to company directors and their families, and deservedly so: there's really nowhere better to eat in the city. Price: Rs501–1500
2 Comfort Inn Grand opposite the Secretariat, MG Rd 0471/247 1286 
www.comfortinngrand.in Smart new business hotel in the city centre. The "executive" options on the top storey are larger and more plush than the "standards", and have the best views. There's also a quality a/c veg restaurant on site. Price: Rs1501–5000
3 Greenland Lodging Aristo Rd, Thampanoor 0471/232 8114 Large and efficient lodge with spotless attached rooms. The best low-cost option in the vicinity of the bus stand and railway station. Book ahead or arrive before noon. Price: Rs270
4 KTDC Chaithram Station Rd 0471/233 0977 www.ktdc.com Big government-run tower-block hotel very close to the railway station and Thampanoor Bus Stand, holding a range of differently priced, spacious rooms (some a/c), restaurants, travel agent, car rental, beauty parlour, cybercafé, bookshop and bar. Price: Rs501–2000
5 Manjalikulam Tourist Home Manjalikulam Rd, Thampanoor 0471/233 0776 Don't be fooled by the shining glass and marble ground floor – above lurks a basic budget place offering variously priced rooms, all of them clean and with good, comfy mattresses. Price: Rs501-1000
6 Princess Inn Manjalikulam Rd, Thampanoor 0471/233 9150 
princess.inn@yahoo.com Well-scrubbed, respectable cheapie close to the stations. One of the more welcoming and better-value small hotels in this busy enclave. Price: Rs301-500
7 Varikatt Heritage Poonen Rd, near Cantonment Police Station, behind the Secretariat (look for the brown gates) 98952/39055 www.varikattheritage.com Thiruvananthapuram's only heritage homestay, run by the affable Col. K.K. Kuncheria (Gurkha Rifles, Rtd), is a real gem. It occupies a gorgeous 1830s colonial bungalow whose front-side suites ($125) retain more period atmosphere than the much less appealing rear-side doubles ($110). Price: Rs5001 and above
8 Wild Palms Mathrubhoomi Rd 0471/247 1175, www.wildpalmsonsea.com Plush guesthouse in a modern suburban residence, 10min walk from MG Rd. The attached rooms are very large and good value. They also run a set of poolside cottages 20km west of town, in a coconut grove by the beach. Price: Rs1001–3000
9 YMCA YMCA Rd, near the Secretariat 0471/233 0059 ymcatvm@sancharnet.in Neat, smartly furnished rooms at bargain rates for the levels of comfort. The "luxury" options are enormous and have spacious bathrooms; singles from Rs220; some a/c. Amazing value, though you'll probably need to book at least two weeks in advance. Price: Rs301–1000
10 YWCA Spencer Junction 0471/247 7308 Spotless attached doubles on the fourth floor of a grubby, rundown office block. Safe and central, with some non-a/c rooms, but the place is locked at 10.30pm sharp. Primarily for women, but couples and men are welcome. Price: Rs301–1000