Kayal Island Retreat

We arrived after two wonderful weeks in Kerala, and were looking for a special place to end our trip. We couldn't have chosen better. We arrived at a beautiful island, and a well-kept, high-quality hotel. Starting with the design of the room, with artistic attention to the smallest details, and especially the amazing staff, who never stopped taking care of us. The canoe ride at sunset was spectacular. For me, the morning tour of the island was the highlight. We followed Saiju on a jungle path and met locals, heard about the history of the place, and received explanations about the special vegetation. The food was excellent and the cooking class was enjoyable. For those who want some peace, in a hidden and spectacular corner, it is highly recommended

Kayal Retreat - An Island of Peace and Serenity If you're looking for a quiet, secluded place surrounded by nature and beauty - Kayal Retreat is the perfect escape. The retreat is located on a small, peaceful island, just a 5-minute private boat ride from the mainland. From the moment you arrive, you feel completely disconnected from the outside world. The design is tasteful, elegant, and blends beautifully with the natural surroundings - perfect for yoga, meditation, or simply relaxing and enjoying the rare silence. There is natural shade from the coconut trees along the waterline, but no artificial shade right by the water, so it's good to plan accordingly. The food is fresh, local, and very tasty. It's recommended to bring your own soft drinks or a bit of alcohol, as there's none available on the island and no fridge in the rooms. One of the highlights was the island tour - Alex, who manages the retreat on-site (not the owner), guided us personally. His knowledge about every tree, plant, and fruit on the island is truly impressive and made the tour inspiring and educational. There are no roads, no vehicles, and no restaurants or shops on the island - just one small local grocery store. The island is about 3.5 km long and 1 km wide - a perfect spot for couples looking for peace, quiet, and complete disconnection. Highly recommended.

This is a really special retreat, and it was a highlight of our trip to Southern India. All the staff at the resort were so kind and thoughtful and made our entire stay relaxing and memorable. ||We were only able to stay for one night but we immediately wished we had booked for a longer stay! From the minute we got on the boat to Kakkathuruthu we were fascinated by the birds and the beauty of the setting. Even though our stay was short, it left a lasting impression. The moonlight dinner on the boat was AMAZING. It will be a lifelong memory for us. The food at the hotel was excellent and so fresh. Our village walk in the morning before we left was a highlight. Saiju is an amazing host and the hotel would not be the same without him.

Had an amazing stay at this slice of heaven on earth. |Peaceful, quiet and absolutely beautiful.|The food was fabulous, the decor charming , the rooms comfortable and the staff very pleasant and helpful.|The highlight of our stay in Kayal was one of the experiences they offer - Dinner on the boat in the moonlight. This was absolutely surreal and will stay with us forever. Thank you Kayal for helping us create such special moments.

Incredibly peaceful and serene resort. It was a great way to experience the backwaters. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel at home. The food was the best we have had in India, it truly felt homecooked and delicious. I highly recommend the cooking class too! All the experiences felt unique and genuine (we did the fish auction one and the walk around the village). Magical stay!

Kayal is a small but one of the most hospitable properties i've visited. Each of their experiences is thoughtful and well executed. The staff is extremely warm and helpful.|They go out of their way to ensure you have a good time. It's the perfect place to experience nature and simpler living. The view is beautiful. Their food is extremely fresh and delicious.

I loved how arty and earthy this place is. It's setting is a charming village where you only reach by boat. The home-styled food is just fab and the staff is courteous. Don't expect any frills like a pool etc but plenty of nature all around. One can go for walks, have a moonlit dinner on a boat, go fishing or canoeing, take a cooking lesson or request a Kathakali performance.

We spent here 3 nights and felt we could spend more. Absolutely worth visiting. Spotlessly clean and comfy rooms, friendly and always smiling staff. On the top of it really unbeatable cuisine. Everything in a beautiful tranquil natural environment. This place is magical.