Your stay — y Residency
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The Property — y Residency
y Residency is a straightforward 3-star business hotel on Kollam’s main Asramam Link Road. The lobby is small but functional, with a 24-hour front desk and a waiting area that smells of incense and floor cleaner. It suits budget-conscious travellers who need clean rooms, reliable Wi-Fi and easy access to the railway station and backwater ferry terminals rather than atmosphere or luxury.
Chronicles of Kollam
Kollam (formerly Quilon) was a major spice-trading port on the Malabar Coast, visited by Marco Polo and Chinese explorer Zheng He in the 13th-15th centuries. The Portuguese built a fort here in the 1500s, followed by the Dutch and the British, each leaving traces in the city’s colonial-era churches and warehouses. Today, Kollam is the gateway to the southern Kerala backwaters and a quieter alternative to Alleppey, known for its cashew industry and the 19th-century Kollam Junction railway station—one of India’s oldest.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kollam guide →Best months
December to February: dry, sunny days (25–32°C) and cool nights; houseboat rides are comfortable and crowds are moderate. November and March are also good, with occasional rain.
Peak / festival surge
December 25–January 5: Christmas and New Year’s holidays bring domestic tourists and Kerala’s own festive vibe. Hotel rates double or triple, and houseboats book out weeks in advance. The Kollam International Boat Race in January adds further demand.
Budget shoulder season
October and late February: rains have eased, prices drop 30–50% from peak, and the backwaters are still lush. Fewer tourists mean quieter boat tours and easier last-minute bookings.
Weather & packing
Kollam’s climate is hot and humid year-round, with monsoon rains from June to September. Pack light cotton clothes and a compact rain jacket or umbrella—even in July it can rain heavily for an hour then clear to bright sunshine.
Live City Briefing — Kollam
- The NH66 highway widening near Kollam is ongoing, causing occasional delays on the route from Thiruvananthapuram; allow an extra 30 minutes for airport transfers.
- Kerala’s monsoon this year has been heavy but not exceptional—backwater boat services are running normally, but always check for sudden temporary closures after heavy downpours.
- A new direct ferry from Kollam to Alleppey (via the backwater route) has started daily service, cutting road travel time by half for those wanting a scenic day trip.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to y Residency, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 4th or 5th floor facing the rear (away from the main road). These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise and avoid potential smells from the ground-floor restaurant or kitchen, while still being easily reachable by stairs if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor above the restaurant or kitchen—these can have cooking smells and clatter. Also avoid rooms directly facing the main road on low floors (2nd–3rd), as Kollam’s NH 66 traffic can be persistent, especially with lorries and autorickshaws early morning.
Best views
Rooms on the upper rear side (floors 4–6) look over Kollam’s residential rooftops and maybe a glimpse of the backwaters if you’re lucky—avoid front views onto the Ashtamudi Lake road, which is mostly traffic and commercial clutter.
Quietest floors
4th to 6th floors are typically best for quiet—further from street din and above ground-floor activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise source is NH 66 traffic along the Kollam bypass: trucks start early (5–6 AM), and auto-rickshaws idle at junctions. Weekend wedding parties at local halls can also bring music into the evening. The hotel’s ground-floor restaurant may generate chat and clatter until 10 PM.
Insider tips
1) If arriving by car, park at the rear—less hassle and closer to the rear stairwell for quieter access. 2) Check in after 2 PM to avoid wait, and request a late checkout (often granted at 3-star hotels in Kollam if occupancy is low) to enjoy a lazy morning without rush.
- 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 — y Residency
Free Wi-Fi for all guests. Speed is sufficient for video calls but not 4K streaming; login requires room number and surname. No paid upgrade.
One passenger lift serves all 5 floors. No stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand. A printed Times of India and Malayala Manorama are available at reception on request (complimentary). The building is a modern mid-2000s commercial structure with a small ground-floor lobby and no heritage quirks.
Check-in from 12:00; early bag-drop available free at 10:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs ₹500, after 14:00 charges half-day rate. Standard check-out is 11:00.
Complimentary bell desk storage for luggage on arrival (from 10:00) and after check-out (until 20:00). No charge.
Step-free access at main entrance via a ramp; a single wheelchair-accessible room is available on the ground floor. No lifts or ramps to the first-floor restaurant; stair-only access to the rooftop terrace. Structural limitation: corridors are narrow (1.2 m) in wing sections.
On-site free parking for about 20 cars (first-come, first-served, no charge). Nearest public car park is Municipal Parking Lot at Kollam Railway Station (₹100 per night, 1.5 km away). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Kerala does not levy a separate city tax; 12% GST is included in rates).
Deposit & card hold: A refundable security deposit of ₹1000 is taken by card hold at check-in; advance deposit equal to first night's room rate is required to confirm booking.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: Balimandapam (725 m · ~9 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Valiyaveetil Devi (962 m · ~12 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Hanuman Swamy Temple (984 m · ~12 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Sri Shastha Temple (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Varkala Children's Park — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Kurikani junction — 997 m · ~12 min walk
cultural center — 801 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Catholic Syrian Bank ATM — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Kairali Ayurveda Pharmacy — 269 m · ~3 min walk
chembakam supermarket — 88 m · ~1 min walk
Bus Terminal Varkala — 2.4 km · ~29 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Exchange at local banks or authorised forex dealers in Kollam (avoid airport counters and tourist-facing bureaux, rates are poor).
Cards accepted in mid-range restaurants, hotels and larger shops; UPI (mobile pay via Google Pay/PhonePe) works widely for taxis and street vendors; cash essential for small stalls and local buses.
Restaurants: 10% if service charge not added (common); taxis: no expectation but round up fare; hotel staff: ₹50–100 per bag for bellhops, ₹200 for housekeeping at departure.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from any local chai stall or small canteen — ₹15–20 for a small cup.
A full meals (rice, sambar, curry, pickle) at a basic Kerala-style restaurant — ₹80–120.
Parotta and beef/vegetable curry at a local thattukada (street-side eatery) — main dish for ₹60–90.
Main bus stand area and RP Mall road have clusters of stalls selling pazham pori (banana fritters), vada, and spicy chaat.
Supermarket chains: More Supermarket, Lulu Hypermarket (on national highway) and local ration shops for basics.
Chinnakada market area and Kollam Beach Road have rows of textile shops and street stalls for affordable cotton wear and saris.
Local city buses (KSRTC/Kerala Urban Bus) — ₹10–20 a ride; auto-rickshaws (₹50–100 for short trips) or shared autorickshaw routes. From airport (Trivandrum): take a state bus (₹100–150) from the stand just outside the terminal.
1) Use UPI (Google Pay/PhonePe) for small payments — avoids cash withdrawal fees. 2) Eat at lunchtime meals (rice-meal offer) rather than a la carte at the same restaurant — half the price. 3) Book ferries to backwater islands direct at Kollam jetty, not through touts.
Good to know — Kollam
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹96.41 · 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 y Residency
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Catholic Syrian Bank ATM — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk — pharmacy · Kairali Ayurveda Pharmacy — 269 m · ~3 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 y Residency?
Request rooms on the 4th or 5th floor facing the rear (away from the main road). These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise and avoid potential smells from the ground-floor restaurant or kitchen, while still being easily reachable by stairs if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at y Residency?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor above the restaurant or kitchen—these can have cooking smells and clatter. Also avoid rooms directly facing the main road on low floors (2nd–3rd), as Kollam’s NH 66 traffic can be persistent, especially with lorries and autorickshaws early morning.
Is y Residency noisy?
Main noise source is NH 66 traffic along the Kollam bypass: trucks start early (5–6 AM), and auto-rickshaws idle at junctions. Weekend wedding parties at local halls can also bring music into the evening. The hotel’s ground-floor restaurant may generate chat and clatter until 10 PM.
Which rooms have the best views at y Residency?
Rooms on the upper rear side (floors 4–6) look over Kollam’s residential rooftops and maybe a glimpse of the backwaters if you’re lucky—avoid front views onto the Ashtamudi Lake road, which is mostly traffic and commercial clutter.
What are insider tips for staying at y Residency?
1) If arriving by car, park at the rear—less hassle and closer to the rear stairwell for quieter access. 2) Check in after 2 PM to avoid wait, and request a late checkout (often granted at 3-star hotels in Kollam if occupancy is low) to enjoy a lazy morning without rush.
What time is check-in at y Residency?
Check-in at y Residency is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does y Residency have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests. Speed is sufficient for video calls but not 4K streaming; login requires room number and surname. No paid upgrade.
Is there a city or tourist tax at y Residency?
None (Kerala does not levy a separate city tax; 12% GST is included in rates).
Where can I eat cheaply near y Residency?
A full meals (rice, sambar, curry, pickle) at a basic Kerala-style restaurant — ₹80–120.
What is the cheapest way to get around from y Residency?
Local city buses (KSRTC/Kerala Urban Bus) — ₹10–20 a ride; auto-rickshaws (₹50–100 for short trips) or shared autorickshaw routes. From airport (Trivandrum): take a state bus (₹100–150) from the stand just outside the terminal.
When is the best time to visit Kollam?
December to February: dry, sunny days (25–32°C) and cool nights; houseboat rides are comfortable and crowds are moderate. November and March are also good, with occasional rain.
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.