Abad Whispering Palms

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.

Hotel is a spacious property I stayed in their garden view room Room is not that spacious Furniture in the room not well maintained Their buffet breakfast n dinner was good Hotel staff was good Good concept of open toilets But no fan or exhaust fan in the toilets

Ambience is good. Food is average. There was lizard droppings on upper end (face) of the bed, multiple times. This was totally unacceptable. Chances of getting dropped on face while sleeping. ( if they can solve this issue, it is an ok place for once.

The property is a complete scam. The structure is outdated and the furniture and interior are in poor condition. The toilets have open roofs, are infested with mosquitos and the swimming pool resembles a public pond. The internet is poor and there are only small, cramped outdoor areas. The staff is untrained and unprofessional. The spa is more like a road side barber shop. Overall, the reviews are misleading and outdated. I am extremely disappointed with my experience.

A spacious and thoughtfully laid out resort. Expansive reception that flows down to an infinity style pool facing the lake. Our room was a bit dated but spacious. The bathroom included an internal garden with an open roof. Nice in concept, not so much in delivery, as the garden only included a small, sad bush surrounded by concrete. Air conditioning worked well in conjunction with a ceiling fan. We never had hot water during our stay but it was so humid and stifling, it wasn’t an issue. Our room faced a small ornamental lake and was quite a pleasant outlook. The buffet breakfast and dinner was fine.

The visit was our second time. The experience had degraded significantly. Doors were malfunctioning. Toilets were not clean. We ordered lunch at 12, the staff mentioned that the kitchen will be only open at 12 30 and they can serve us at 1. We didn’t receive until 1 45, when we clearly had asked them not to delay since we had a child. Hoping the staff will take this review seriously and make amendments.