William Alexander
Three Aussies staying for a couple of nights. After a long flight here we had the comfiest sleep ever. The food was absolutely incredible. The staff were very welcoming, inviting and all round good dudes. Once again, the food was amazing!
Manu Jacob
Once upon the River Resort is a tranquil haven nestled near Aluva town, gracefully positioned along the serene banks of the Periyar River. This enchanting property is adorned with lush greenery, boasting an abundance of trees that create a picturesque ambiance for guests to unwind and rejuvenate. The resort offers a range of amenities to cater to various needs and preferences. For business gatherings or special events, there's a spacious meeting hall equipped with modern facilities to ensure successful and productive sessions. Guests seeking relaxation can indulge in leisurely swims in the refreshing pool, where they can soak up the sun and enjoy the soothing waters amidst the natural beauty of the surroundings. The resort's restaurant provides a delightful culinary experience, offering a diverse menu of delectable dishes crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Ninad Mohite
Situated on the Periyar river, this is a very pretty estate with lush greenery everywhere.
Very well maintained, pool was good and the rooms were clean and spacious.
The environment is serene, a simple walk around is therapeutic.
Marieke Matthys
Highly recommend beautiful place near the Airport. Mr Shine and the rest of the staff were very helpful and professional. Food is excellent and swimming pool is fantastic. I loved the garden and the river view. Namaste!
Rceezy
This is the perfect airport stopover. Don’t be put off by the slightly rough outside gates – once you pass through them you are in a wonderful secluded spot on the banks of the river.
Rejani Mathew
Our college reunion day out at this venue was truly remarkable. Nestled by the serene beauty of riverbanks adorned with beautiful trees, it provided an ideal setting for our gathering and was easily accessible. The staff demonstrated exceptional politeness, accommodation, and constant availability for any queries or support, enhancing our overall experience. A heartfelt thank you to the team for creating such a wonderful and memorable occasion.
Carlton Azeez
Took a day-out package. Good ambiance, lots of greenery. The food was good (welcome drink, high tea, buffet), and the room provided for rest was fine too. There's a good swimming pool with a kids' area. The play area is nearby. The highlight was their staff—excellent staff. Special thanks to Mr. Shine. Overall, a good experience.
Trish Linton
Was only here for a flight out the next day. Wished I could stay longer. Beautiful 3 acre garden setting on the river. Room was huge; bed comfortable; good amenities. Food was delicious. Staff were very helpful. Would definitely book again when back in the area.
scott i
This isn’t based on a huge amount as we only overnighted. The guys at the hotel were extremely helpful both in arrival and sorting us a very early shuttle to the airport. The room was lovely and grounds spectacular. …
A G
Great Location, comfortable, clean suite, verdant property with hospitable staff. Breakfast could do with improvement as there were very limited options. Special thanks to Alan Biju at front office for his hospitality!
Merwyn Rodricks
The place is really relaxing. The rooms are very spacious and have a very traditional feel to it. The surroundings are really well maintained. The food is good.
Aji Robinson
I had the pleasure of staying at Once Upon The River in Aluva, Cochin, after booking it last minute due to some wifi issues at the airport. A kind lady helped me connect to her wifi allowing me to book a hotel purely based on pictures without reading any reviews.Upon arrive I was warmly greeted by two courteous and polite reception staff who offered me a complimentary herbal tea. The king size room I stayed in was clean, spacious and beautiful providing great value for money.The hotel’s surroundings struck me with their sheer beauty as I ventured out to swim in the pool. The well-maintained gardens featured palm trees, nutmeg, star fruit, mango and other plants. Tony, a staff member, explained the medicinal uses of these fruits and I enjoyed tasting as many as I could.
For the meals, I chose light dishes including Jeera rice. Chef Shebin graciously shared his ingredients and method for making Dhal Fry, pickle, and jeera rice, adding a unique North Indian twist. with Dhal Fry, pickle, and yoghurt adding a unique North Indian twist. Chef Sreejith also very considerate explaining the health benefits of the food. Throughout my short stay the housekeeper Akshay was polite and attentive. The hotel’s setting is among the best I’ve experienced anywhere in the world, truly embodying the phrase, “Kerala is God’s Own Country”. The staff’s politeness, kindness and willingness to help ensure that I will definitely return. My family, who have seen the stunning views, also plan to visit during their next stay in Kerala. The hotel is beautifully situated between two rivers, with picturesque paths lined with fresh greenery, trees, and plants I’ve never seen before. The friendly cleaners keep the place immaculate. The swimming pool is reasonably sized, very clean and surrounded by greenery making it feel like swimming in heaven.Each building is named after the tree in front of it; I stayed in the Nutmeg room. I learned that the red fruit of the nutmeg is edible, as is the substance inside the hard shell. I also tasted the star fruit which was light, fragrant and juicy. Fascinated by the babu palm trees, as I plan to grow one in England, the gardener provided me with some helpful tips.As my son and his girlfriend are now cooking natural, nutritious food for clients, I picked up numerous hints to help them. From the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients to unique North Indian culinary techniques shared by the kind chefs, I gained valuable insights that I’m excited to pass on to them.Overall my stay here was a wonderful experience of paradise. Sorry for the lengthy review, but it is important not to miss out on this incredible, happy time.
Sarahmpage
Visited the hotel for an airport stopover but definitely wished we’d stayed longer! Lovely grounds, restaurant and swimming pool and the rooms were great! Also gave us a free airport transfer which was amazing. Lovely hotel, would definitely recommend!
Masumi Muramatsu
We are from Hawaii, USA and certainly had a wonderful time here. OUTR is not just a hotel but it is a hide-out offering a lot of memorable experiences. It’s surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers which are well maintained. The swimming poll is pleasant on a humid day and helps us stabilize our body and mind. The playground area gave us a nostalgic feeling and brought back to our childhood. The last but not least the dinner and complimentary breakfast were great. Especially the waiters Ashok and Prajitth helped choose the right dish taking time and explaining kindly since we’re not so familiar with the Indian food. The table service was splendid! We thought the hotel is just around the corner of the airport but it takes 15 min to get there so it’s quiet and calm. Thanks to the courtesy shuttle to and from the airport, we had no hustle. We really appreciate all the staff there. They are so kind and dedicated to their work here. Thank you again for your hospitality.
John Paul Jose
I liked the images which they have put in the google, that’s why I booked the resort. But it was a lot more than what i expected after reaching there. Staff were pleasant and really helpful. The resort looked much more beautiful. We were 3 couples and kids, all of us literally enjoyed it there. It's a really beautiful place for both couples as well as friends.
Tina Koshy
Staying here was a wonderful experience. The staff were very helpful, the rooms very comfortable, the food, tasty. The ambience, superb with lots of greenery soothing to the eyes, the river flowing by. Perfect for a family get together with small children, or adults wanting to chill, and soak in the peace and tranquillity.
Seema Madhu
We had booked 'Once upon the River' for one day for our family reunion and we had a very heartwarming experience. It was cost efficient and the service was very good, the food was enjoyed by everyone and there was space for every one of every age to enjoy from our youngest to eldest, everyone had a great time. We highly recommend it and hope to visit the place again.
Jacek Jasina
Wonderful place, feels like oasis. Staff couldn't be nicer and more helpful.
It was our 2nd stay there, just before flying out of India but our 6 years old says that this was the best place we'd stayed at during our travel this year.
Restaurant was great, swimming pool amazing, free transport to the airport (takes about 15 – 20 minutes). I couldn't recommend this place more.
Neethu Rajasekharan
Must try for the scenic beauty of the place. Room was spacious and clean. Breakfast spread was mostly Kerala cuisine with some bread and cornflakes.
Sethu Sathish
We had an incredible time at Once Up on a River Resort! The private pool villa nestled amidst nutmeg and sag wan trees offered a luxurious escape from the city hustle. The rooms were impeccable, making it the perfect spot for a serene staycation.
Akthar zaman
Once Upon the River is a charming boutique resort nestled amidst the lush greenery of Aluva, Kerala, India. It's a tranquil haven just a 15-minute drive from the Cochin International Airport, making it an ideal stopover for weary travellers or a peaceful escape for a longer stay. Absolutely! Once Upon the River is a perfect choice for travellers seeking a peaceful and authentic Kerala experience. Whether you're on a short stopover or a longer vacation, this resort is sure to leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. I hope this review helps you decide if Once Upon the River is the right resort for you.
Sahaj Preet Singh Grover
Hidden Gem! Beautiful property with excellent service and staff. The resort has a multi cuisine restaurant that offers delicious food. Absolute value for money.
P S
Overall, the stay was memorable with excellent service and superb, tasty homemade food. The ambience is very pleasant, nicely surrounded by the Periyar river and giant trees. The staff is very pleasing, approachable, and provides immediate service.
Vimal V
Located on the shore of Periyar. Excellent food, service and rooms. Due to the new bridge from Aluva – Munnar route, the property is easily accessible.
Vishnu Vijayan
Pleasing ambience and good stay for the price. They have a small pool and multiple indoor and outdoor games
Dinesh Jangam
Super service and exceptionally good support staff and chefs.