BEAUTIFUL ECO-FRIENDLY HOTELS IN KERALA & THEIR SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES

Last Updated on 24th April 2024 by Bejal

Kerala, a lush green state located on the Malabar coast of Kerala, renowned for its idyllic backwater canals, vast wildlife and it’s awe inspiring vistas, has some of the best environmentally conscious accommodation, be it eco-lodges, resorts, hotels or homestays, in the whole of India. When it comes to eco-friendly hotels in Kerala visitors will be spoilt for choice in terms of options, from luxuriously remote locations to authentic homestays and more. 

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This post highlights some of the eco-friendly hotels in Kerala, that we personally stayed in during our 10 day Kerala itinerary, and experienced and selected for their sustainability policies, location, value for money as well as comfort and amenities.  All the featured eco-friendly hotels in Kerala are located in destinations which are on most first time visitors lists including Fort Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and Mararikulum.

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How To Select Eco-friendly Hotels In Kerala

Sustainable hotels can be a minefield globally in general and much of that confusion arises due to the spike in greenwashing.  We’ve seen eco-friendly hotels who are ‘pretending’ to follow sustainable practices verses those who have inspired a whole community to live more sustainably in their travels through environmental as well as social enterprises.

These helpful suggestions will be of use when selecting your idea eco-friendly hotels in Kerala for your trip.

1. Eco-friendly Hotels Have a Sustainability Policy

A truly sustainable hotel, lodge or eco-resort will always have a sustainability policy document. This ensure that the accommodation provider has had some sort of certification from a reliable organisation and has received a Green Certificate. Bodies that certify can include, EarthCheck LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and will highlight the specific commitments the hotels have implemented and also plan to work towards going forwards.

It can be a little difficult to locate this information sometimes so the best thing to do is contact the hotel, who will almost always point you in the right direction or will put you in touch with their sustainability manager.

Be-lavie Tip: Smaller hotels may not be able to afford the fees for certification or to make the given improvements that are required to check off all the criteria. They may well be partaking in smaller initiatives that make a big impact. Judge each accommodation individually in this case and judge for yourself the benefits and change they are making. Does it fit in with your ethics surrounding the subject? It;s good to do research with an open mind.

2. The Responsible Tourism Mission & Eco-Friendly Hotels

The Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission is an agency which was formed by the Indian Government to implement responsible  tourism all over Kerala and was launched in October 2017 by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr Pinarayi Vijayan.

The RT Mission involves a classification system for hotels and resorts in Kerala to score in the initiatives Environmental Responsibility Criteria. Accommodation option that score over 80% in this particular criteria, go on to receive Green Classification in addition to the 3 main certifications of RT Diamond, RT Gold or RT Silver.

Resorts and HOtels can apply online via a section on the Responsible Tourism Missions website by Kerala Tourism in the form of an online application form as well as payment of 5,000 INR (60 USD). An onsite inspection of the accommodation is also performed before an assessment is made to confirm the classification standard met.

Head to Kerala Tourism for further information about the Responsible Tourism Mission 

3. How Well Does The Accommodation Limit Its Impact On The Environment?

Hotels and resorts built directly with the concept of eco-friendly practices will of course have the lowest impact on the environment. Those that have slowly tried to become more eco-conscious will have a slightly higher impact on the surroundings. There are many hotels that would have tried hard to make more green efforts including water conservation initiatives. 

When selecting your eco-friendly hotel in Kerala, keep an eye out for gardens or onsite farms that have a farm/garden to table approach, where the produce is used in the hotels restaurants. Additionally look out for beehives so there are bees available to pollinate plants, in turn honey can be used in the hotels food or spa treatments. Keep an eye out for single use plastic free bath product containers, bottles, locally made artisan furnishings, recycling bins around the resort and rooms as well as signs on rooms that allow guests not to have their linens changed and washed daily.

4. The Hotel’s Relationship with it’s Local Community

The best sustainable hotels thrive to work closely in empowering and raising their local communities. Employing local staff, providing training or even sponsoring a university course in tourism as well as paying them a fair wage, especially as the cost of living increases, are all classed as supporting the local community. Also planet friendly hotels will use local suppliers, help advocate local community green programmes but also allow their guests to experience and partake in activities with the community. This can include anything from tours which locals lead on, support local businesses and aid in preserving cultural local traditions.

5. Sustainable Hotels Champion their Guests to get Involved

Many eco-friendly hotels, encourage their guests to partake in as many sustainably led initiatives as they possibly can. Some of the most common with eco-friendly hotels in Kerala are providing reusable water bottles or filtered water refills in their rooms, free bicycles or a pretty nominal fee, transport sharing with other guests as well as supporting the local surrounding businesses, arriving by public transport, having the choice to decline their rooms/villas being serviced daily. Also some hotels take part in environmental initiatives globally such as beach clean ups. 

It’s usually apparent at Check in that eco-friendly hotels will be proud of their environmentally friendly ways and do their best to encourage and support guests to be the same.

Armed with the above points about choosing a beautiful eco-friendly hotel in Kerala, here are some of the suggestions we at Be-lavie recommend based on our experiences. We worked with a Kerala based travel agency, Iris Holidays  to identify locally owned hotels or very small boutique hotel collections to align with our sustainable led ethics.

Beautiful Eco-friendly Hotels In Kerala

It’s good to note that all hotels include free WIFI, as well as TVs, all bathroom amenities such as toiletries, hair dryers as well as most having tea and coffee making facilities as well as fridges. Most bathrooms will have filtered water supplies to be used for brushing teeth. All the featured hotels are boutique accommodation and not large chain international hotels. 

Abad Dutch Bungalow

• Location: Napier Street, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala 682001 I Tel. +91 4844144000 I Map Location

• Hotel Rating: 4 Star.

• Details: Check-in time: 14:00 Check – out time: 11:00.
• Booking Packages Includes: Breakfast is included in room rates.

• Perfect For: Couples, Honeymoons, Small families, solo travellers.

Heritage style colonial hotel design, visitors will love the look and feel of Abad Hotels Dutch Bungalow. Located in Fort Kochi, a five minute walk from the coast, this 376 year old residence was built back in 1668 by the Dutch East Indian Company. It wasn’t until 1874, that the building became privately owned and to this day retains a lot of it’s quaint colonial charm of the past era.

Guests can look forward to Heritage Classic as well as Heritage Boutique rooms, which are spacious and have classic dark wood furniture, a seating area, a bedroom space, a fridge, wardrobes as well as a fully tiled bathroom in neutral tones. Some rooms have balconies to the rear which have garden and pool views.

The property is split over two floors with communal rooms with high ceilings as well as eating and a hot drinks making station. There are two communal areas, on each floor. To the back of the property there’s a swimming pool, gardens as well as the Mill restaurant. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. All food is cooked fresh to order, 

Sustainability Practices at Abad Dutch Bungalow

• Breakfast as well as other meals are cooked to order to reduce food waste.
• Filtered water is delivered daily in reusable large glass bottles to rooms and can be replenished on request. 
• Bath and shower products are locally made in Kerala using Ayurvedic ingredients and plant extracts. 
• Rooms are serviced only on guests requests.
• Linens and towels are changed only if requested by guests. 
• Walking is encouraged to many of the local sights as they’re within 150 metres of the property.
• Supporting local businesses and restaurants is encouraged by front of house staff who are happy to provide shopping and dining alternatives.
• Reducing plastic initiatives in place.
• Hotel staff are all local Keralans.
• Sea food and other produce is sourced from the local market.

The Leaf Resort, Munnar

• Location: Chithirapuram PO, Anachal – Aamakandam, Munnar, Kerala 685565 I Tel. +917510344111 I Map Location
• Resort Rating: 5 Star
• Details: 13:00 Check-out time: 11:00.
• Booking Packages Includes: Breakfast, hikes and tea stand are included in room rates.
• Perfect For: couples, families, Honeymoons and special occasion stays.

Located 12 km from Munnar town, The Leaf is nestled in a nature filled oasis in Aanachal. The Leaf is perfect for families, couples and solo travellers who fancy a quiet retreat in the Munnar hills of Idduki. 

The accommodation is cottage style with accommodation strategically dotted around the beautifully landscaped ground which come with calm and retreat vibes. This is nature and tranquility at its best. A sanctuary with views of misty mountains and tea plantations. 

Rooms are spacious and  come in an array of categories from The Green Leaf deluxe cottages which are perfect for couples, to family villas with pools as well as the most luxurious of all, the Honeymoon villas, Almost all have stunning nature and garden views of the surrounding lush green mountainous vistas. 

The Bouquet Garni Restaurant, serves a great dining experience with buffet style food, carefully curated to reduce waste, on it’s ground level and an a la carte restaurant on its upper deck, which also serves as a cafe environment. Expect Indian, Chinese, Arabic, Italian and Continental dishes with both indoor and outdoor seating. Local delicacies are available on request as well.

The resort has extensive gardens, nature trails as well as an impressive infinity pool.

Sustainability Practices at The Leaf, Munnar

• Meals are cooked to order with buffets being carefully curated to ensure minimal food wastage if any. Items are replenished only when they run out.
• Bathroom toiletries are locally produced and based on plant ayurveda.
• Rooms are serviced only on guest request. 
• Linens and towels are only changed on guest request.
• Glass water bottles filled with filtered water are delivered to rooms daily.
• Hotel has activities throughout the day for guests to partake in such as hikes to local tea plantations and spice farms.
• A tea trolley known as a Thattukada is set on the lawn daily for guests to enjoy traditional freshly made Keralan chai and snacks. Time slot 16:00-17:00. 
• The Leaf can arrange tours with local businesses to raise exposure of things to do in the area.
• Staff employed at the resort are from Kerala.
• Recycling and plastic free practices are encouraged.
• Food is locally sourced from the surrounding farms and plantations. 

Nature Zone Jungle Resort, Munnar

• Location: Pulippara, Near KSRTC Bus Stand, Nullatanni, Munnar, Kerala 685612 I Tel, +91 9745433330. Map Location 

• Resort Rating: 3 Star Tree Houses and safari tents.

• Details: Check-in time: 12:00. Check-out time: 11:00.

• Booking Packages Includes: Breakfast and dinner are all included due to the remote location of the resort.

• Perfect For: Couples, Solo travellers, families who may prefer safari tents if they have babies.

Nature Resort is one of Kerala’s most sustainable resorts. It’s easy to see why just from its location that is located 5,700 feet above sea level. It is simply a jungle in the hills surrounding my mountainous land, tea plantations and plenty of wildlife. Elephants are often seen on the narrow winding roads leading up to the property as well as wild boar. The resort itself has an abundance of birds, squirrels and other small mammals.

There is the option of opting for safari style tents of tree houses and we’d definitely recommend these, but they do require a little more uphill walking but it literally does feel like you’re there amongst the clouds. There are only 15 residences at the resort in total.

All tents/rooms come with tea/coffee making facilities, bathroom amenities, linens, towels and are comfortably decked out. The views are absolutely incredible, but more so from the tree houses. 

There is a dining area where food is served at breakfast and dinner, these are on a buffet style basis and food is only replenished as and when required. Drink options are quite limited at Nature Zone so it’s best to ask what they have.

One of the striking things about Nature Zone is its 180 and 360 degree views over Munnar – it’s truly beautiful when the mist lifts.

Activities at Nature Zone Jungle resort include jungle trekking, lush tea plantation walks, hiking to the Pulippara view point, bird watching, sunrise and sunset view points as well as plantation view point. There’s another view point at the bottom of the safari tents which give a wonderful view of the city lights beneath in Munnar. 

Nature Zone Jungle resort’s remote location, is only accessible by private jeep and takes around 30 minutes from  a specified pick up and drop off point in Munnar. The resort can only be accessed by their own jeep’s, and the ride to follow can only be described as exhilarating, These are off-road jeeps and trust us, you’ll have to hold on but it’s a lot of fun winding up and down through the rocky terrain amongst the tea plantations. 

Sustainability Practices at Nature Zone Jungle Resort

• Plastic-free resort.
• Most things here are recycled in keeping with the environment.
• No food is allowed in rooms to prevent wildlife from getting in. 
• Rooms are only serviced on guests request.
• Showers are pretty basic and in a wet room style.
• Locally made toiletries and bathroom products.
• No TV’s, extra electronic devices to ensure peaceful surroundings.
• No dining menus, food is made based on a set menu with vegetarian/vegan options with seasonal availability of ingredients.
•  Staff are employed from the surrounding area.
• Filtered water is provided throughout the resort.
• Guests can partake in activities with no extra charge.
• Furniture and soft furnishings are made in the local area by artisans.
• Guests share off-road jeeps for pickup and drop-off. 

Greenwoods Resort, Thekkady

• Location: Kottayam – Kumily Rd, Thekkady, Kumily, Attappallam, Kerala 685509 I Tel. +919446574383 I Map Location
• Resort Rating: 5 Star
• Details: Check-in time: 14:00 Check-out time: 11:00.
• Booking Packages Includes: Breakfast is included in room rates as well as the tea stand with snacks.
• Perfect For: Honeymoons, Family holidays, solo travellers and couples.

Greenwoods is a 5 star luxury resort located in a tranquil setting in the heart of Thekkady. Located in a woodland like surrounding, this luxury resort has a pool, wonderful restaurant serving  an assorted menu from breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks in between. The property has lush gardens, curio shop, events room which introduces guests to the local culture with demonstrations and heritage events. Greenwoods is in great proximity to visit the much talked about Periyar National Park with the ticket office minutes away and the bus pick up accessible within minutes.

The resort offers some fantastic accommodation in terms of rooms which are spacious as well as villa style accommodation which also comes with private plunge pools. The three categories of accommodation and it’s village resort style set up has a boutique feel. 

The resort can organise a whole host of activities and day trips for guests with a local focus too.

Greenwoods has a Thattukada on the lawn around 16:00 every day where the tea cart is a congregation point to enjoy a hot cup of chai or coffee with some banana fry and pakoras, 

There is a fantastic adventure playground with ropes and balancing equipment for children and big adults but this must be supervised by a trained hotel staff member to avoid accidents.

Sustainability Practices at Greenwoods Thekkady

• Plastic-free policy, no water bottles and the like.
• Filtered water is provided in large glass bottles and replenished on request.
• Rooms are only serviced on guest request as well as linens and towels.
• Local Ayurvedic toiletries full size and filled up when required.
• Reusable bags in rooms. 
• Food is prepared on an a la carte basis as well as carefully replenished buffet.
• The resort has a small onsite farm with cows, geese and rabbits as well as some vegetables and herbs used in the kitchen. Residents are encouraged to visit and discover the space. 
• Tours organised through the resort are locally sourced experiences with bus rides to places like Gavi involving travelling with the locals.
• Staff members working at Greenwoods are recruited from surrounding areas in Kerala.
• Greenwoods partakes in recycling throughout the property.

Abad Turtle Beach, Mararikulum (Marari)

• Location: Varankavala, Pollathai Church Korthussery Rd, Mararikulam, Kerala 688567 I Tel. +919400069202 I Map Location 
• Resort Rating: 3 Star.

• Details: Check-in time: 13:00 Check-out time: 11:00.
• Booking Packages Includes: Breakfast and tea stand is included in all room rates.
• Perfect For: Family holidays and couples.

Located in Marari, Alleppey, Turtle Beach resort has a wonderful beach front location with it’s own private white sandy beach and a river flowing along one side. The resort itself is located close to the coastal village of Mararikulum and occupies an area of around 13 acres of land with beautiful gardens, cottages for couples, families as well as some with pools, a farm, vegetable garden, restaurant as well as its own Ayurvedic Centre. There is also a swimming pool bathing area and so many small walks to be taken around the property to discover fishing areas, a butterfly garden and countless birds. 

The rooms come with all the mod-cons and each has their own garden area with hammocks. 

Do not miss the Thattukada or chai stall at 17:00 before heading off to the beach to see the most glorious sunset. 

Sustainability Practices at Abad Turtle Beach, Marari

• Food is made from locally sourced ingredients, including fresh meat and seafood.
• Vegetables and herbs are used form the resorts garden.
• Guests are encourages to discover the local village of Marari to meet the locals and learn the local way of life.
• The resort is plastic free and also provides filtered water in glass bottles.
• All bathroom toiletries are made in Kerala with natural ingredients.
• Guests are encouraged to walk and discover the local village.
• Staff at the resort are employed from the surrounding area.
• Rooms are serviced and linens changed only on guest request.
• The hotel encourages guests to partake in wellbeing and head to the Ayurvedic retreat for ailments.
• Milk is used from the small cattle of cows onsite.
• Guests can enjoy cycling as well as fishing with locals arranged by the hotel.

Pickadly House Boats

• Location (office): Valamparambil,, Avalokkunnu P.O., Alappuzha, Kerala 688006 I Tel. +919446171094 I Map Location 
• Details: Checkin time: 12:00 Check-out time: 09:00.
• Booking Packages Includes: The overnight package consists of lunch on arrival, dinner in the evening and breakfast the following day being included in the rate.
• Perfect For: Honeymoons, couples and families.

Pickadly houseboats are some of the most luxurious houseboat or kettuvallams classes that sail on the Kerala backwaters around Alleppey. They are around 80 foot long and if you opt for the boat for two (couple) it’s most probably the one bedroom Royal Luxury Suite boat you’ll have. The living quarters are completely private to the crew and communal areas. The bedroom, bathroom with shower and jacuzzi are accessed via the comfortable lounge which also comes with a sound system and TV.

These large boats were used originally to move fish rice and spices and have now been converted into houseboats.

Sustainability Practices of Houseboats (They are not sustainable)

Along the backwaters of Kerala, a large proportion of the locals rely on marine life to live off, they fish for food, the water is used for farming rice, they use the water to bathe, wash and  cook. Houseboats have diesel engines which pollute the rivers and canals, especially now that houseboats have become somewhat of a tourist activity.

The pollution has led to the depletion of fish numbers, but also houseboat workers are discarding human waste directly into the water rather than paying to have it disposed of by legal channels, has caused many issues for the locals.

**The only real way houseboats can be more sustainable is by being solar powered.**

The only sustainable things that houseboats may do well is in terms of the activity it offers during the experience such as Ayurvedic massages, which are done at local centres and small fishing boat rides which enter the smaller canal systems, where local fishermen take you off to see the area.

Unfortunately, we only discovered the full extent of the unsustainable factors of a houseboat experience we enjoyed and found to be high quality in terms of local food, service and exposure to the community. 

How exploring on the backwaters can be sustainable: A great way to experience the smaller canals of the backwaters of Kerala is to kayak or take a smaller fishing boat, with ores. Bothe activities would need to be supervised for safety reasons

Recommended Sustainable Tours To See The Backwaters (Alleppey)

This Alleppey Cooking Tour is a great option if you love to cook and want to try out cooking traditional Keralan cooking at a local;s home.

Other Accommodation Options In Kerala

Hoemstays are a big business in Kerala and aim to give guests an authentic experience of what its like to stay in a local’s home and live life just like them. This includes meals also during your stay cooked by the host. Unfortunately, many of the homestays have become much like guest houses or Bed and Breakfasts, which are great but can seem misleading from the ‘Homestay’name. 

In Fort Kochi, we would thoroughly recommend, Sheeba’s Homestay, which provides a very authentic experience and Sheeba, the owner, also host some wonderful traditional cooking classes. 

Her accommodation has four rooms and she has a lovely balcony on her property, during the day guests can explore Kochi and the surroundings and a lot of her produce and food comes locally or from her garden.

Useful Tips For Selecting Eco-Friendly Hotels

• Search online for eco-friendly hotels:  Use search terms such as ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘sustainable hotels’.
• If you’re working with a travel agent:  they can by all means filter eco-friendly accommodation options for you.
• Look for Green certifications:  such as EarthCheck, Green Key, or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) can indicate a commitment to eco-friendly practices.
• Hotel Websites: Visit the official hotel websites as many eco-friendly hotels in Kerala promotes their sustainable initiatives on their own websites. Look for things like energy conservation, waste management and community involvement.
• Reviews & Ratings: Online reviews and ratings are great for obtaining insights into the sustainability practices of a hotel. Guests will share their honest experiences about the eco-friendly initiatives of the hotels they’ve stayed in.
• Local Initiatives: Kerala is known for its natural beauty, and some hotels may actively participate in local environmental conservation projects. Check if the hotel is involved in any community based or environmental initiatives.
• Contact the Hotel: If you have specific questions about a hotel’s sustainability practices, don’t hesitate to contact them directly. Ask about their waste management, energy saving measures, and any other eco-friendly initiatives they may have implemented.
• Eco-friendly Accommodation Directories: Explore directories or databases that focus on eco-friendly accommodations. These may provide a curated list of environmentally responsible hotel.

Eco-Friendly Hotels in Kerala Related Facts & Questions 

What is a Eco-Friendly Hotel?

A hotel that’s committed to reducing its carbon footprint, which it does by implementing certain sustainable initiatives such as installing solar panels, reducing waste, using non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products, and reducing energy and water consumption.

What’s the difference between Eco-resorts and Eco-lodges?

Eco-resorts and eco-lodges tend to be more remote, located in relatively pristine natural environments such as exotic islands, forests, and mountains. Eco hotels, on the other hand, are more often associated with cities and towns.

What is Eco-certification

Eco certificates are granted to hotels who meet sustainability criteria designated by a third party certification agency.

Round-up Eco-friendly Hotels In Kerala 

Hopefully the post has helped dispel some of the confusion around researching and selecting eco-friendly hotels in Kerala when it comes to crafting your own trips. An important point to remember is that many small boutique style hotels can’t always afford to hit all the certification targets and implement changes so it can be useful to not get to vested in this. These smaller hotels often do a lot for the community they are surrounded by, which in turn is a sustainable initiative. 

Kerala is one of the places in the world that stands out to have a government that is ploughing a lot into sustainability and tourism. They most certainly have some of the highest numbers and quality standards of planet friendly hotels on the globe!

Related Articles to Eco-Friendly Hotels in Kerala

• How To Plan The Best 10 day Kerala Itinerary
• What Makes Kerala One of India’s Most Eco-Friendly States
• How to spend 48 Hours in Fort Kochi
• A 3 Day Guide to Things To Do In Munnar
• The Best Things to do in Thekkady: A Travel Guide
• A guide to the best things to do on beautiful Marari Beach
• Cruising the Kerala backwaters on a houseboat + sustainability 
• A guide to the best things to do on beautiful Marari Beach 
• A Guide on What to pack for Kerala
• 10 of the best authentic tours and activities in Kerala

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