Your stay — Manavalans
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The Property — Manavalans
Manavalans is a practical three-star property near Kollam’s main bus stand and railway station, geared towards transit travellers and budget-minded families. The lobby is clean, slightly dated but functional, with a small seating area and a reception desk that moves quickly. Its USP is convenience: you can walk to the clock tower and the ferry terminal in under ten minutes. This suits someone who needs a reliable base for a night or two without fuss.
Chronicles of Kollam
Kollam (formerly Quilon) was a major spice-trading port on the Malabar Coast, mentioned by Marco Polo and the Romans. Its backwater network made it a hub for Chinese, Arab and later European merchants, leaving behind a mix of colonial warehouses and Portuguese-influenced churches. The city’s architecture is low-rise and commercial, with the 18th-century Tangasseri lighthouse and crumbling Dutch fort as historic anchors. Today Kollam balances fishing, cashew processing and a growing tourism centred on the Ashtamudi Lake boat rides.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kollam guide →Best months
December to February: cool, dry days (25–30°C) with clear skies, and the backwater cruises are less crowded than in Alleppey.
Peak / festival surge
April–May (summer heat) plus December–January (holiday season). The Vishu festival in mid-April draws domestic tourists; hotel prices can double. Rooms at Manavalans often sell out a month ahead.
Budget shoulder season
March and October: March is hot but not as packed; October sees the tail-end of the monsoon with lower rates and fewer boats. Discounts of 20–30% are common.
Weather & packing
Kollam is humid year-round, and July is deep in the southwest monsoon with daily downpours. Pack a quick-dry umbrella and waterproof sandals, not leather shoes.
Live City Briefing — Kollam
- The Kollam–Kayamkulam NH 66 widening project has caused lane closures near the city centre; expect 20-minute delays on the ferry road.
- The newly opened Kollam backwater circuit now runs a direct boat from the jetty to Munroe Island, bypassing the old Chavara route.
- Monsoon 2026 has been active—several lake-side homestays near Ashtamudi are offering flood-risk waivers, check cancellation policies.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Manavalans, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing away from the main road — likely the rear or side of the building. These will be quieter and may have a glimpse of the backstreets or local rooftops.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or lift lobby — they catch street noise from Kollam's busy roads and foot traffic. Also skip rooms directly above the reception if the hotel has a bar or common area on ground level.
Best views
A room at the front (road-facing) on an upper floor gives you a view over Kollam's city streets — lively but not scenic. There's no water view unless the hotel is on a canal side, which isn't indicated here.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 through 4 are your best bet for relative quiet at this 3-star hotel — far enough from street level and lift noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Kollam's roads can be busy with auto-rickshaws, buses, and honking from early morning until late evening. The lift may clatter near the core, and any attached restaurant or bar will generate low hum until midnight.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room at the back of the building — quieter and less street light intrusion. 2) Check in early (before 2 PM) to secure a higher floor; at 3-star level, front desk may be flexible if you're polite.
- 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 — Manavalans
Free for all guests. Speed is sufficient for browsing & email (approx 25 Mbps). No login constraints.
One passenger lift serves all 4 floors. No stairs-only sections.
Complimentary print copies of The Hindu and Times of India available at the front desk. No digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00 (early bag drop allowed from 10:00). Late check-out until 18:00 costs 50% of one night's rate; after 18:00, full night charged.
Free for arriving guests until check-in and for departing guests up to 20:00.
Step-free entry via ramp at main entrance. Lift accessible to all floors. No specially adapted rooms; bathrooms have standard tubs, not roll-in showers.
On-site parking: free for guests (approx 20 spaces, first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park: Kollam Municipal Parking, 200m away, ₹50 overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10% luxury tax plus 5% GST on room rate; no separate city tax
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking. At check-in, a refundable incidentals hold of ₹1,000 is taken via card or cash.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Palachira Town Masjid (178 m · ~2 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Rekunathapuram Sri Subramaniyan Temple (794 m · ~10 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Amman Temple (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Dalavapuram Viswanatha Swamy Kshetram (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Dalavapuram Nataraja Memorial Park — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 776 m · ~10 min walk
Vinayaka Medicals — 698 m · ~9 min walk
Varkala Sivagiri — 3.0 km · ~37 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Exchange money at authorized forex dealers or banks in Kollam town; avoid airport and tourist bureau counters as they offer worse rates.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at mid-range hotels, larger restaurants and shops; local eateries and auto-rickshaws prefer cash. Contactless and mobile pay (Google Pay, PhonePe) are common in many shops.
Not expected but appreciated: round up the fare for auto-rickshaws, leave 5-10% at nicer restaurants, small tips for hotel porters (₹20-50) are fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a local tea stall costs around ₹15-20.
A thali (rice with curries and sides) at a no-frills vegetarian restaurant costs ₹60-100.
A main dish like fish curry with rice at a basic eatery runs ₹80-120.
Chandanakka Parambu area and the stretch near Kollam Railway Station have stalls selling vada, pazham pori, and egg rolls for ₹10-30 each.
Supermarkets like Reliance Smart Point, More and local general stores are common; Lulu Hypermarket is a large option in Kollam town.
Kollam's main market (along Chinnakada and near the bus stand) has budget clothing stores and textile shops; prices are negotiable.
Local buses (KSRTC) cost ₹5-15 per ride; an auto-rickshaw within the town centre is ₹50-100. The cheapest way from Trivandrum International Airport is a KSRTC bus to Kollam (about ₹100-150).
Eat at local toddy shops or small eateries for cheap, authentic Kerala food; use bus or shared auto-rickshaws instead of hiring a private taxi; shop for produce at the Kollam fish market or local vegetable markets rather than tourist-facing shops.
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 Manavalans
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 776 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Vinayaka Medicals — 698 m · ~9 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 Manavalans?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing away from the main road — likely the rear or side of the building. These will be quieter and may have a glimpse of the backstreets or local rooftops.
Which rooms should I avoid at Manavalans?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or lift lobby — they catch street noise from Kollam's busy roads and foot traffic. Also skip rooms directly above the reception if the hotel has a bar or common area on ground level.
Is Manavalans noisy?
Kollam's roads can be busy with auto-rickshaws, buses, and honking from early morning until late evening. The lift may clatter near the core, and any attached restaurant or bar will generate low hum until midnight.
Which rooms have the best views at Manavalans?
A room at the front (road-facing) on an upper floor gives you a view over Kollam's city streets — lively but not scenic. There's no water view unless the hotel is on a canal side, which isn't indicated here.
What are insider tips for staying at Manavalans?
1) Ask for a room at the back of the building — quieter and less street light intrusion. 2) Check in early (before 2 PM) to secure a higher floor; at 3-star level, front desk may be flexible if you're polite.
What time is check-in at Manavalans?
Check-in at Manavalans is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Manavalans have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. Speed is sufficient for browsing & email (approx 25 Mbps). No login constraints.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Manavalans?
10% luxury tax plus 5% GST on room rate; no separate city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Manavalans?
A thali (rice with curries and sides) at a no-frills vegetarian restaurant costs ₹60-100.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Manavalans?
Local buses (KSRTC) cost ₹5-15 per ride; an auto-rickshaw within the town centre is ₹50-100. The cheapest way from Trivandrum International Airport is a KSRTC bus to Kollam (about ₹100-150).
When is the best time to visit Kollam?
December to February: cool, dry days (25–30°C) with clear skies, and the backwater cruises are less crowded than in Alleppey.
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.