Your stay — Masala Square Restuarant
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The Property — Masala Square Restuarant
Masala Square Restaurant is a tidy, no-frills 3-star in Kollam’s commercial centre, just off the busy Asramam Link Road. The lobby smells of fried spices and fresh coffee, with bright fluorescent lights and a few plastic chairs — more functional canteen than boutique lobby. It suits budget travellers on the Kerala backwater trail who value a solid south Indian meal over lounge space. The USP is the restaurant itself: loud, fast, and serving excellent Kollam-style fish curry and appam till late.
Chronicles of Kollam
Kollam (formerly Quilon) has ancient roots as a spice and timber port on the Malabar Coast, trading with Phoenicians, Romans and Chinese from at least the 9th century. The Portuguese built a fort here in 1519, followed by the Dutch in 1661, who left their mark on architecture and the canal network. Today it’s a gritty, workaday city that shuns the tourist gloss of neighbouring Alappuzha, instead showing its age in peeling colonial warehouses and a working harbour. Its cultural identity is tied to the Ashtamudi Lake wetlands, cashew processing, and a robust fishing community that keeps the local food scene fiercely authentic.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kollam guide →Best months
December to February. Cooler, drier weather (around 28-32°C) and low humidity make wandering the waterfront and backwater tours comfortable. Crowds are moderate, not oppressive.
Peak / festival surge
November to mid-January. Christmas and New Year bring domestic tourists and NRIs home; hotel prices in Kollam can jump 30-50%. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha (August) spills some visitors down south, but Kollam stays quieter than the main tourist belt.
Budget shoulder season
March and October. March gets hot but empties out; October catches the tail-end of the monsoon — cheaper rooms, green landscapes, and fewer tourists. Temperatures stay under 33°C with intermittent rain.
Weather & packing
Kollam’s climate is tropical monsoon: hot year-round, with heavy rain from June to September. Pack light cottons, a rain jacket or compact umbrella even in dry months, and sturdy sandals for wet streets.
Live City Briefing — Kollam
- The Kollam bypass (NH 66) widening project is partly complete, reducing traffic jams near Asramam — but expect some diversions and slow zones between Chinnakada and Polayathode until late 2026.
- The Kerala government has introduced a digital visitor registration for houseboat stays on Ashtamudi Lake; check with the property before booking a cruise.
- Several new coffee-and-kerala-snack cafes have opened around Tangasseri Fort, shifting the evening hangout scene away from the old bus-stand canteens.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Masala Square Restuarant, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on higher floors (above 5th floor) for reduced street noise from the main road, which runs along the hotel's address in Kollam. Consider rooms facing the interior side of the hotel for a quieter experience.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on lower floors (1st to 3rd floor) as they are closer to the street and may receive more noise from the traffic. Rooms near the lift may also experience noise from the elevator's frequent use.
Best views
Since the hotel's address in Kollam is along the main road, rooms on higher floors may offer views of the surrounding cityscape, but this may be obstructed by nearby buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 6-10 are likely to be the quietest, given the hotel's 3-star rating and typical layout.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel's location on a main road means that rooms on lower floors may be affected by traffic noise, especially during peak hours.
Insider tips
Park in the designated parking area near the hotel entrance for easy access. Be prepared for a simple check-in process, and consider requesting a room with a window for a better natural light experience.
- 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 — Masala Square Restuarant
Free Wi-Fi throughout, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Serves all floors, no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) via in-room tablets
Check-in from 14:00, early check-in at ₹ 500, late check-out until 12:00 with ₹ 2000 fee
Available 24/7, ₹ 50 per bag per day
Step-free access, wheelchair entries at main entrance and rear entrance, no structural limitations
On-site parking available, ₹ 200 per night; nearest public car park at Kollam Bus Stand, ₹ 150 per day; EV charging available at ₹ 100 per charge
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ₹ 25 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: ₹ 500 advance deposit + ₹ 1000 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: Temple (78 m · ~1 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Kadakol Sree Krishna Temple (155 m · ~2 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Anandavalleeswaram Mahadevar Temple (160 m · ~2 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Kottarakkulam Ganapathy Temple (383 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Govt.Timbre deport — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Muncipal park — 451 m · ~6 min walk
Museum of A Ramachandran — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Neelambari Open air Auditorium — 2.2 km · ~28 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Canara Bank ATM — 349 m · ~4 min walk
Ziza medicals — 713 m · ~9 min walk
Thoppilkadavu — 366 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee (INR)
You can exchange currency at the Trivandrum International Airport or at local money changers in the city, but be aware that rates may be unfavourable. Consider using ATMs for better rates.
Major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro, are widely accepted in Kollam. Contactless payments and mobile wallets like Paytm and Google Pay are also popular.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service. 10-20 INR for a meal and 50-100 INR for a taxi ride is sufficient.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a cup of tea or coffee for around 20-30 INR at a local tea stall or a small café.
A plate of idlis (steamed rice cakes) or dosas (fermented crepe) costs around 50-70 INR at a local eatery.
A thali meal (a traditional South Indian meal) at a local restaurant costs around 150-200 INR.
The Asramam and Thevalli streets are known for their street food options, offering a variety of local snacks and dishes.
Local supermarkets like Reliance Fresh and Easy Day are common in Kollam, offering a range of groceries and household items.
You can find affordable clothing options at local markets like the Kollam Market or at small shops along the main streets.
The cheapest way to get around Kollam is by using the local bus service, which costs around 10-20 INR per ride. A day pass costs around 50 INR.
Avoid exchanging currency at airports or tourist areas, as rates may be unfavourable.Use local buses or walk to get around, as they are cheap and convenient.Eat at local eateries or street food stalls for affordable and authentic meals.
Good to know — Kollam
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹96.38 · 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 Masala Square Restuarant
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Canara Bank ATM — 349 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Ziza medicals — 713 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 Masala Square Restuarant?
Request rooms on higher floors (above 5th floor) for reduced street noise from the main road, which runs along the hotel's address in Kollam. Consider rooms facing the interior side of the hotel for a quieter experience.
Which rooms should I avoid at Masala Square Restuarant?
Avoid rooms on lower floors (1st to 3rd floor) as they are closer to the street and may receive more noise from the traffic. Rooms near the lift may also experience noise from the elevator's frequent use.
Is Masala Square Restuarant noisy?
The hotel's location on a main road means that rooms on lower floors may be affected by traffic noise, especially during peak hours.
Which rooms have the best views at Masala Square Restuarant?
Since the hotel's address in Kollam is along the main road, rooms on higher floors may offer views of the surrounding cityscape, but this may be obstructed by nearby buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Masala Square Restuarant?
Park in the designated parking area near the hotel entrance for easy access. Be prepared for a simple check-in process, and consider requesting a room with a window for a better natural light experience.
What time is check-in at Masala Square Restuarant?
Check-in at Masala Square Restuarant is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Masala Square Restuarant have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Masala Square Restuarant?
₹ 25 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Masala Square Restuarant?
A plate of idlis (steamed rice cakes) or dosas (fermented crepe) costs around 50-70 INR at a local eatery.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Masala Square Restuarant?
The cheapest way to get around Kollam is by using the local bus service, which costs around 10-20 INR per ride. A day pass costs around 50 INR.
When is the best time to visit Kollam?
December to February. Cooler, drier weather (around 28-32°C) and low humidity make wandering the waterfront and backwater tours comfortable. Crowds are moderate, not oppressive.
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.