Your stay — Devatara
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Kollam.
The Property — Devatara
Devatara is a compact, no-fuss three-star on Kollam's waterfront, with a modest lobby that smells of floor polish and salt air. It suits travellers who want clean rooms and Ashtamudi Lake views without the resort markup — think birdwatchers, budget tour groups and domestic holidaymakers. The USP is the lake-facing rooms and direct access to the jetty for backwater boats.
Chronicles of Kollam
Kollam, ancient Quilon, was a key spice port on the Malabar Coast from the 9th century, trading pepper and cinnamon with Phoenicians, Romans and Chinese. Its modern shape emerged as a Portuguese, then Dutch, then British entrepôt, leaving a legacy of colonial warehouses and a working lighthouse. The Chinese fishing nets at the estuary are a direct link to that Ming-era trade. Today it's a busy cashew-processing hub and the gateway to Ashtamudi Lake backwaters.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kollam guide →Best months
November to February – post-monsoon, dry and 24–32°C, lake cruises run smoothly, no rain interruptions.
Peak / festival surge
December and January – Kerala winter season, Christmas and New Year spike domestic tourism; hotel rates at Devatara can double. Pongala festival in March also fills rooms.
Budget shoulder season
September–October and March–April: monsoon easing or pre-summer heat, 20%–30% discounts, far fewer tourists, still good for lake trips.
Weather & packing
July is peak southwest monsoon – expect daily heavy downpours and 27°C. Pack a lightweight rain jacket, waterproof sandals, and quick-dry shorts; leave leather shoes at home.
Live City Briefing — Kollam
- Kollam's lake cruise jetty has reopened after a three-month renovation, adding a dedicated queue for small groups – saves wait time at Devatara's jetty.
- The city's new bypass road (NH 66 upgrade) now diverts traffic away from the old town centre, so driving from the highway to the hotel is quicker but roadworks still muddy during rain.
- July's monsoon means the Thenmala eco-tourism zone runs a reduced schedule on rafting and treks – check with the front desk before planning day trips.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Devatara, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the interior courtyard (if available) or away from the main road. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still have easy stair access if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-level noise and foot traffic) and any room directly above the restaurant/kitchen area — likely to have cooking smells and clatter during service hours.
Best views
Rooms facing the back or side of the hotel (overlooking neighbouring buildings or a quiet lane) offer less traffic noise than the front rooms overlooking the main road.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are generally quieter, especially rooms at the back of the building away from the road.
🔊 Noise notes
Kollam's main roads can be busy with auto-rickshaws and buses from early morning, so rooms at the front will be noisiest. The lift can be audible if your room is adjacent to the shaft — avoid rooms ending in odd numbers near the lift landing.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the 2nd floor at check-in — it's a good balance of quiet and quick stair access in case the lift is slow. 2) If you're sensitive to light, request a room with curtains that block streetlights — modern 3-star hotels in Kollam often don't have blackout linings.
- 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 — Devatara
Free WiFi with 10 Mbps download speed; login requires room number and surname.
A single lift serves all three floors. No stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand. A complimentary physical Times of India is available at the reception desk each morning.
Standard check-in is 12:00 to 24:00. Early bag drop available after 08:00. Late check-out until 14:00 is charged ₹500; after 14:00 full night rate applies.
Free baggage storage before check-in and after check-out at reception.
Step-free entrance with a ramp. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathroom modifications. Lift access but no grab bars in public toilets.
Free on-site parking for about 15 cars, unreserved. Nearest public car park is 500 m away at Kollam Railway Station, ₹50 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a refundable security deposit of ₹1,000 is taken at check-in by card or cash.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: Balimandapam (261 m · ~3 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Janardhana temple (645 m · ~8 min walk)
- Hindu temple: ജനാർദ്ദനൻ സ്വാമി ക്ഷേത്രം (651 m · ~8 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Hanuman Swamy Temple (673 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Kurikani junction — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
cultural center — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Catholic Syrian Bank ATM — 769 m · ~10 min walk
Kairali Ayurveda Pharmacy — 607 m · ~8 min walk
Mohan's — 445 m · ~6 min walk
Bus Terminal Varkala — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Exchange at local banks or authorized forex dealers in Kollam town; avoid currency exchange at airport or tourist bureaux as they give poor rates.
Cards accepted at mid-range hotels, larger shops and some restaurants; smaller eateries and street stalls cash-only. Contactless and mobile pay (GPay/PhonePe) widely used by locals at shops and auto-rickshaws.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi/auto fare, leave 10% at nicer restaurants, small tip (₹50-100) for hotel staff who assist with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or chai at a roadside dhaba or small cafe costs ₹10-20.
A thali meal (rice, curry, vegetables, pickle) at a basic eatery costs ₹60-100.
A main dish like Kerala parotta or a fish curry at a local restaurant is ₹80-150.
Cheap eats around Kollam town bus stand and the Asramam area, with dosas, vada, and banana chips.
Supermarket chains include Reliance Smart, Mayfair, and local Kirana stores; also plenty of Kollam market for fresh produce.
Budget clothing shops along Chinnakada and KSRTC road; also local weekly markets for cheaper options.
Local buses (₹10-20 for short trips) or shared autos (₹20-30 per person); from Trivandrum airport, take one direct Volvo bus to Kollam (₹200-300) or shared bus/train cheaper.
Eat thalis at small eateries for filling budget meals; use public buses instead of auto-rickshaws for longer distances; buy water and snacks at local groceries rather than tourist spots.
Good to know — Kollam
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹95.47 · 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 Devatara
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Catholic Syrian Bank ATM — 769 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Kairali Ayurveda Pharmacy — 607 m · ~8 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Devatara?
Request rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the interior courtyard (if available) or away from the main road. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still have easy stair access if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Devatara?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-level noise and foot traffic) and any room directly above the restaurant/kitchen area — likely to have cooking smells and clatter during service hours.
Is Devatara noisy?
Kollam's main roads can be busy with auto-rickshaws and buses from early morning, so rooms at the front will be noisiest. The lift can be audible if your room is adjacent to the shaft — avoid rooms ending in odd numbers near the lift landing.
Which rooms have the best views at Devatara?
Rooms facing the back or side of the hotel (overlooking neighbouring buildings or a quiet lane) offer less traffic noise than the front rooms overlooking the main road.
What are insider tips for staying at Devatara?
1) Ask for a room on the 2nd floor at check-in — it's a good balance of quiet and quick stair access in case the lift is slow. 2) If you're sensitive to light, request a room with curtains that block streetlights — modern 3-star hotels in Kollam often don't have blackout linings.
What time is check-in at Devatara?
Check-in at Devatara is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Devatara have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi with 10 Mbps download speed; login requires room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Devatara?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Devatara?
A thali meal (rice, curry, vegetables, pickle) at a basic eatery costs ₹60-100.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Devatara?
Local buses (₹10-20 for short trips) or shared autos (₹20-30 per person); from Trivandrum airport, take one direct Volvo bus to Kollam (₹200-300) or shared bus/train cheaper.
When is the best time to visit Kollam?
November to February – post-monsoon, dry and 24–32°C, lake cruises run smoothly, no rain interruptions.
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.