Your stay — Amma Hotel
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The Property — Amma Hotel
A clean, practical base on Kollam's main road near the railway station, the Amma Hotel pitches itself at transit travellers and budget tour groups. The lobby is tiled and fluorescent-lit, with a small reception desk and a couple of plastic chairs. Rooms are functional – tiled floors, air-conditioning, hot water – but unremarkable. It suits someone passing through on the way to the backwaters or Alleppey who wants a cheap, safe sleep without frills.
Chronicles of Kollam
Kollam, formerly Quilon, is one of the oldest ports on the Malabar Coast, trading with Phoenicians, Romans and Chinese from at least the 9th century. The Portuguese built a fort here in 1519, later taken by the Dutch and finally the British. Its 19th-century architecture still lines the waterfront, though many colonial buildings are now faded. Today the city is a busy cashew-processing hub and a jumping-off point for Kerala's backwaters, with a working port and a lively fish market. Culturally, it holds onto a laid-back, mercantile character, less tourist-tuned than Kochi or Alleppey.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kollam guide →Best months
December to February – dry, sunny and pleasant, with daytime temps around 28–32°C. This is the classic Kerala high season, so expect moderate crowds but good weather for exploring the backwaters and the beach at nearby Thirumullavaram.
Peak / festival surge
April and May are the hottest months (35°C+), but the real peak tourist crush is December and January, when domestic travellers and international tourists flood the state. Hotel prices in Kollam can double during Christmas and New Year week; the Amma Hotel typically fills up by mid-December. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race in August (at Alleppey, 90 minutes away) also sends spillover visitors this way.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer the best value. March is still dry but less crowded; October is post-monsoon green and prices drop 30–40% from January highs. You'll get sunshine most days, with the occasional short shower.
Weather & packing
Kollam sits right on the coast and has a tropical monsoon climate: even in the 'dry' months you might get an afternoon downpour. Pack a light raincoat or umbrella year-round, plus cotton clothing and mosquito repellent – the humidity is relentless.
Live City Briefing — Kollam
- Kollam's new railway foot-overbridge at the station (completed late 2025) now connects platforms 1–4 without crossing the tracks; useful if arriving by train.
- The Ashtamudi Lake eco-tourism jetty has reopened after monsoon repairs, offering boat tours to Munroe Island and the backwaters.
- Road widening on National Highway 66 through Kollam city centre is ongoing; expect delays of 10–15 minutes near Chinnakada junction until end of 2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Amma Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
To request a room on the higher floors (above 3rd floor), preferably on the north side, to minimize street noise from the main road. These rooms are likely to have a better view of the surrounding area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor and first floor as they may receive some street noise from the main road. Rooms near the lift may also experience some noise due to the frequent use.
Best views
Rooms on the north side of the higher floors (above 3rd floor) may offer a view of the surrounding area, including the cityscape and the nearby waterways.
Quietest floors
3rd floor and above
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel's location on a main road means that rooms on the lower floors may experience some noise from traffic. However, the floors above the 3rd floor are likely to be quieter.
Insider tips
1. Arrive early for check-in to avoid the peak afternoon rush. 2. Request a room with a window for better ventilation and a view, as the hotel may not have air conditioning in all rooms.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Amma Hotel
Free access to 100 Mbps Wi-Fi; login via room key card
Serves all floors; historic section on the first floor has stairs-only access
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on rooms' smart TVs
13:00-22:00, early bag-drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 14:00 for ₹500
Limited free storage for 24 hours; ₹100 per day thereafter
Step-free access to main areas; wheelchair ramp at entrance; some rooms adapted for disabled guests
On-site parking available for ₹200 per night; nearest public car park at Kollam KSRTC Bus Station (₹50 per day); EV charging available at ₹100 per session
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Kerala Tourism Tax: ₹100 per night per person
Deposit & card hold: ₹2000 advance deposit and ₹2000 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Kairali Jn Juma Masjid (99 m · ~1 min walk)
- Mosque: MOSQUE (102 m · ~1 min walk)
- Hindu temple: MOTTAKKAL BHARANIKKAVU TEMPLE (635 m · ~8 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Kanatharkunnam mahadeva Temple Kalyana Auditorium (693 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
മിട്ടൂസ് Garden — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Muttathara Ground — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Puthumangalam Store — 185 m · ~2 min walk
Sasthamkotta — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
You can change money at the local banks or currency exchange centers in the city center, or use an ATM. Be wary of poor rates at airports and tourist bureaux.
Credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in Kollam, and you can also use mobile wallets like Paytm and Google Pay.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service, around 10-20 INR for small purchases, 50-100 INR for larger bills.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee from a local tea stall or street vendor will cost around 20-30 INR.
A plate of idlis (steamed rice cakes) or vadas (fried doughnuts) from a local eatery will cost around 50-70 INR.
A meal of rice, curry, and vegetables at a local restaurant will cost around 150-200 INR.
The cheapest eating areas are typically near the bus station and in the old town.
Local supermarkets like Reliance Fresh and Spencer's Retail have branches in Kollam.
Affordable high-street shopping can be found at the local markets, such as the Kollam Market.
A day pass for the city bus costs 20 INR, and the cheapest way to get around is by auto-rickshaw or a bicycle.
Avoid eating at tourist restaurants, as prices are higher than at local eateries.Use public transport instead of taxis for shorter distances.Shop at local markets for better prices and a more authentic experience.
Good to know — Kollam
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹96.53 · INR
Emergency Contacts
Kollam+91 0474 279 1111 (Kollam District Collector's Office)
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kollam, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Amma Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Taiba Hostel → Kollam Railway Station
💡 Use the Indian Railways app to book tickets and check schedules
Taiba Hostel → Kollam Bus Station
💡 Use the KSRTC app to book tickets and check schedules
Taiba Hostel → Kollam Town
💡 Agree on the fare before starting your journey
Taiba Hostel → Kollam International Airport (CCJ)
💡 Book in advance to avoid higher rates during peak hours
About Kollam
Wikipedia ↗
Kollam (Malayalam: [kolːɐm] ;), is an ancient seaport and the fourth largest city in the Indian state of Kerala. Located on the southern tip of the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea, the city is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake and is 71 kilometres (44 mi) northwest of the Thiruvananthapuram. Kollam is...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Amma Hotel?
To request a room on the higher floors (above 3rd floor), preferably on the north side, to minimize street noise from the main road. These rooms are likely to have a better view of the surrounding area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Amma Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor and first floor as they may receive some street noise from the main road. Rooms near the lift may also experience some noise due to the frequent use.
Is Amma Hotel noisy?
The hotel's location on a main road means that rooms on the lower floors may experience some noise from traffic. However, the floors above the 3rd floor are likely to be quieter.
Which rooms have the best views at Amma Hotel?
Rooms on the north side of the higher floors (above 3rd floor) may offer a view of the surrounding area, including the cityscape and the nearby waterways.
What are insider tips for staying at Amma Hotel?
1. Arrive early for check-in to avoid the peak afternoon rush. 2. Request a room with a window for better ventilation and a view, as the hotel may not have air conditioning in all rooms.
What time is check-in at Amma Hotel?
Check-in at Amma Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Amma Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free access to 100 Mbps Wi-Fi; login via room key card
Is there a city or tourist tax at Amma Hotel?
Kerala Tourism Tax: ₹100 per night per person
Where can I eat cheaply near Amma Hotel?
A plate of idlis (steamed rice cakes) or vadas (fried doughnuts) from a local eatery will cost around 50-70 INR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Amma Hotel?
A day pass for the city bus costs 20 INR, and the cheapest way to get around is by auto-rickshaw or a bicycle.
When is the best time to visit Kollam?
December to February – dry, sunny and pleasant, with daytime temps around 28–32°C. This is the classic Kerala high season, so expect moderate crowds but good weather for exploring the backwaters and the beach at nearby Thirumullavaram.
Top Attractions in Kollam
💡 Avoid visiting during the monsoon season when the beach can get rough.
💡 Be respectful of the temple's rules and dress modestly.
💡 Best viewed during sunrise or sunset for optimal photography.
💡 Best visited with a local guide for added context and insights.