Abad Whispering Palms

When we arrived at the resort, our room was not ready. When they took us to our room, there was a cot and dirty dishes outside the room, probably from the previous guests. We had to ask them to take that stuff away. The room was large with a king size bed. It had a fridge and a kettle and tea/coffee making supplies. The bathroom could definitely use an upgrade. The tub was old and rusty and the shower curtain could use a wash. The restaurant had a buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well they had a menu for those who didn’t want the buffet. At breakfast, there was a variety of Indian foods, plus they had pancakes, chicken sausages and you could order eggs. The toaster didn’t work very well. For a snack, we had the starters, fried squid and spring rolls. Both were very tasty. The staff at this resort were good and helpful. Asha, who works in the restaurant was very nice and was attentive. The resort had a pool which was lovely on a hot day but the water seemed a bit murky so maybe the pool needed a cleaning. They provide towels for the pool.

The service at this hotel by all staff is wonderful. There is a lot of enthusiasm in making you feel welcome and at ease at the hotel. The food range is very nice and tasty. We were a vegetarian group and we had no problem. The hotel building itself is a bit dated and if upgraded would take this hotel to another level. Our special thanks to Rajiv at reception.

The lovely atmosphere in the resort with a breathtaking view of backwaters, crystal clear well maintained swimming pool, boat riding facilities, nice food, courteous and hepful staff and every day live music keep us engaged fully and productively. Spa and Ayurvedic massages are also available. An interesting experience. Enjoyed the stay.

A lovely hotel with down to earth and friendly staff. The rooms are well situated with good views. We enjoyed the pool and the ping-pong table, breakfast was good and the pillows were soft. It was wonderful to be on the water front highly recommend

Nice old designed vills with unique furniture. Different pleasant toilets. Spacious and comfortable rooms. The place is on back wa u ers giving nice view. Food is also very good. Staff is vety coopetative. Ayurvedic massage and spa available.

Kumarakom, practically in my backyard, had been on my travel wish list for years. Finally, I decided on a short one-night getaway at Abad Whispering Palms. Despite the natural beauty and culinary highlights, the resort experience left much to be desired. The Journey Begins Driving early to avoid traffic, I planned a Shikara boat ride before check-in. The resort offered this activity on their website, but getting details from them was an ordeal. Frustrated, I found an independent operator, ‘Punyalan’, who booked the ride without requiring an advance payment. Boat Ride Highlights Our group of two senior couples met at the jetty, where we were warmly welcomed by Justin, our boat operator. Navigating narrow canals and low-lying bridges, he showcased the unique lifestyle of the lakeside communities, adding enthusiasm and thrill to the experience. A stop at a lakeside house gave us the chance to taste fresh toddy, which was exceptionally sweet and unlike my prior sour experiences. The ride also took us across the vast Vembanad Lake, offering views of Pathiramanal island and sprawling resorts dotting the shores. Lunch at a home restaurant named 'Pappannan's Kada' by another waterway was unforgettable. We sat outdoors, enjoying the breeze, and were impressed by the cleanliness and absence of pests. The food—particularly the karimeen fry and prawns curry—was perfectly cooked, mildly spiced, and reasonably priced. Resort Stay: Pros and Cons The resort offered twin-room cottages with open-air bathrooms, tasteful landscaping, and lake or garden views. However, maintenance issues like faded varnish, damp ceilings, and slow room service undermined the experience. Food was another mixed bag. The resort does not provide a standard menu in the rooms. Guests must request a printed menu, which changes daily—a novel concept but slightly inconvenient. The food quality was average, and delays in service at the restaurant added to the disappointment. The property’s lake frontage was limited to about 100 meters, which felt underwhelming given their claim of a 7-acre expanse. On a lighter note, the freely roaming geese added charm, though their noisy cackles served as early wake-up calls. Final Thoughts This trip was partly to evaluate the resort for a future family vacation. While Kumarakom’s natural beauty and the boat ride were delightful, the resort’s poor service and lack of upkeep mean I’ll likely choose a different place next time.