Flamingo Marari Boutique hotel — Hotel in Kerala

My wife and I stayed here for 2 nights. What's good - The service is top notch. Polite and well mannered staff. The resort is well located right on Mararikulam main road so getting to the resort shouldn't be a problem. Kerala food at this place is top notch. Restaurant Manager Mr Anil really makes your dining experience quite good. He is always on his toes to make sure the guests are happy. The staff is also really accommodating when it comes to your food preferences and they are welcome to take food orders which are off the menu. Tried Grilled Fish and Grilled chicken steak for Continental. This is passable since the menu said Lemon butter sauce but the sauce and flavours were non existent. Better to stick to the local cuisine here. There is no direct beach access from this resort but you can row a boat (provided by the resort) through the backwater canal behind the resort, to the mararikulam beach. This is an amazing / must try experience.

What could be better- Seems like a well maintained property, until you notice these. Water leaking from the wooden ceiling, A/C without vent flap (you cannot adjust the swing of the A/C without this) and the result is direct A/C air to the bed). -Food seems slightly over priced here. 520 for a fish curry (although a good one) is exorbitant. 130 for a small portion of kerala style stir fried cabbage (Cabbage thoran) was also heart sinking. -The mattress on the bed could be better. Seemed like a low quality one. Not acceptable after paying 7500 per night. The bathroom interior although good, seemed slightly overdone. Steps with sharp edges in a bathroom is unnecessary and like an accident waiting to happen. This could have been designed better / avoided. My wife almost lost her footing once due to the steps. -A dressing room inside the bathroom didn't make practical sense. You would have to carry your luggage/clothes through the bathroom , negotiating the steps and then access it. The access to this should have been provided from the main room itself. There is no luggage stand or a teapoy / small table in the room we stayed. These are basic facilities and should be provided without being asked for. -The backwater canal behind the resort carries dirty water during low tide and at times emits foul smell. This is only during low tide where water recedes in the canal and starts to look like drainage. Not a pleasant site / experience during dine in.

Worth a visit if the price...

I have just returned from a four night stay here which was nowhere near enough and I am already trying to work out when I can go back! Even the best photos just don't do this place justice and it's hard to describe how lovely it is. ||I arrived late in the evening and very tired after a 14 hour journey from northern Rajasthan and was just shown straight to my room, that had the lamps lit, a/c and fan switched on, was given a couple of bottles of ice cold water and told that we could do the check-in process the following morning whenever I was ready.||My room was beautiful. Spotlessly clean, extremely comfortable bed, very stylish bathroom, quiet and with everything that I needed.||The grounds of the hotel are immaculate and you are surrounded by birds, butterflies and dragonflies, with constant birdsong during the day and crickets and frogs in the evening. ||I felt at home as soon as i arrived. There is a very friendly, laid-back vibe and as a solo female traveller, I couldn't have felt safer and more relaxed.||The spa that belongs to the hotel is right next door and I don't think enough has been said about how well run everything is. I booked a yoga class and it was suggested to bring it forward an hour from the time I requested due to the time that the mosquitoes come out. As it's only next door I was very surprised that my instructor came to get me from my room! He was absolutely lovely, a fantastic teacher who pitched the class exactly right for my experience level (intermediate but rusty!) and I can't think of a better place to do yoga than outside on the grass by the side of a Keralan backwater - absolute heaven. The Ayurvedic massages are also incredible and shouldn't be missed.||The food at the restaurant is fantastic, their Marari fish curry was the best thing I ate in two weeks of travelling round India.||Finally, the staff, which is what really elevates the Flamingo Marari and make it what it is. Beyond helpful and friendly, always smiling, and can't do enough for you, but all in a very easygoing, laid-back way. Thank you all for a fantastic few days, and I hope to see you...

Paradise in Kerala

We just left this wonderful family-owned property and had an absolute blast as part of our honeymoon trip. The staff is exceptional—unbelievably friendly and attentive. The manager and reception team were also top class. The receptionists were always friendly, with great smiles, and at our beck and call—they helped us organize the boat ride, yoga class, and other activities seamlessly.

We stayed first in room 103, a perfect room by the pool, which they prepared so kindly for our honeymoon arrival. Then we extended our stay by one more day in another room on the upper floor (also great). I personally loved the shower areas and the copper bucket—such thoughtful and charming details. The beds were royal-size, extremely comfortable, full of pillows, and impeccably clean.

We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner and his son, Rahul—both truly great people. We had good conversations with them; they were very personal with us and even helped us plan the next steps of our trip. It felt very family-like.

Take time to relax in this peaceful nature retreat, surrounded by birds—including birds of prey and eagles. Guests can take a canoe and travel all the way to the beach through the canals. The path is full of birds—it’s lovely and relaxing. Explore the kayaking opportunities, unwind in the pool, enjoy the yoga class with a truly authentic and experienced yogi, and allow yourself to be pampered by the excellent staff.

Special mention to the kitchen team, who amazed us every day—from the perfectly fried shrimps by the pool to the inventive use of Kerala spices, fresh juices, and breakfast offerings. Every meal was a delightful surprise.

We honestly had a better experience here than in many famous resorts in Switzerland—warmth, attention to detail, and authentic human hospitality make all the difference. We can’t wait to come back.

Thank you guys for taking such good care of us.

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