Marari Beach Mararikulam

The Marari Beach Resort is inspired by the Mararikulam fishermen and their gentle way of life. The resort draws heavily from the coastal culture of the region – the thatched roofed cottages, the coastal cuisine, and the overall simplicity of the land. The almost private beach is pristine and secluded with sandy beaches and steel blue waters of the Arabian Sea. But beyond enigmatic sunsets, stunning panoramas, and sandy beaches that most beach resorts offer, the Marari Beach Resort is a biodiversity sanctuary. The resort truly lives the powerful core values of CGH Earth Hotels by consciously remembering to touch nature with sensitive hands and respect the surrounding ecosystems.

Marari Beach Resort offers guests 62 villas that come in three categories spread across a 36-acre coconut grove. Although the villas are designed to look like local huts, contemporary comfort is seamlessly married to native aesthetics. Aspects like no television in rooms and open-to-sky showers allow guests to soak in the spectacular nature around. There is a choice of dining options that celebrates Kerala’s coastal cuisine. The resort is very close to Allepey, so guests can take day cruises on the backwaters of the Vembanad lake or ride across narrow canals on small boats to explore the Kuttanad region.

Location

Marari beach is located in the Alleppey district in Kerala. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport located 73 km away, while the nearest railhead is Alleppey (16 km) and Kottayam (42 km).

Things to know

  • Rooms have no TV because the focus here is spectacular sunsets, roaring ocean waves, and nature’s other visual delights.
  • The bathroom amenities at Marari Beach Resort are stored in reusable ethnic ceramic called ‘Bharani’ instead of plastic containers saving thousands of bottles of plastic every year.
  • There is a tea-cart service in the evenings where you can enjoy hot beverages with piping-hot local snacks.
  • Fort Kochi is a little over an hour’s drive away if guests are looking for a day excursion.
  • Guests can opt for an interactive cooking and dining experience in the outdoor kitchen or at the organic farm.

Rooms & Suites

The cottages at Marari Beach Resort are an ode to the culture of the local fishermen of Mararikulam. The distinct dwellings feature thatched roofs made with coconut fronds by the women of the village and native motifs such as the Bharani traditional ceramic ware for toiletries.

The standard rooms are known as Garden Villas and come with a living cum bedroom, a private sit-out, and a partly open-to-sky bathroom. The Garden Villa with Pool category is like the Garden Villas but with an additional small private pool.  The Deluxe Pool Villa is luxurious cottages with a larger private pool within a garden, a private sit-out, and a closed bathroom in addition to the partly open-to-sky bathroom.

Restaurants & Bars

There are many dining options available, Chakara, the all-day dining restaurant offers buffets with Konkan and Kerala coastal cuisine and Continental fare, while the Beach Shack serves pizzas and a range of beverages. The Club House is a well-stocked bar with Portuguese-style interiors.

Dinners are made special with the seafood platter or seafood sadya bursting with the freshness of the day’s catch and other coastal delicacies.

Spa & Wellness

The Ayurveda center offers a range of herbal massages and rejuvenating therapies. Daily Yoga and Kalari Payattu sessions every other day deliver instant calm and wellness.

Experiences

The ideal thing to do at Marari would be to slow down, relax and enjoy the sun, sea, and sand. The hammocks by the sea are perfect for lazy afternoons or to unwind with a favorite book. Discover the butterfly garden and spend time in the company of the tiny yet delightful creatures and vivid foliage. In the evenings, guests enjoy the rustic charm of a traditional tea cart surrounded by lush greenery around.

For some local experiences, guests can watch the local fishermen as they reel in the catch of the day, take a cruise on the Kettuvallom, learn and take back recipes from the region or take a stroll through the nearby village. Guests can also ride the waters of the Kerala Backwaters on a country boat or take an excursion to Fort Kochi.

Sustainability and Responsible Tourism

Marari Beach Resort has been taking small yet crucial eco-initiatives like offering safe drinking water in sterilized, reusable glass bottles; reducing dependence on single-use plastic; reducing waste and recycling in the most imaginative ways; sustainable waste management; cooking with biogas; sourcing ingredients locally and from the in-house organic farm; and offering guided tours with a naturalist to learn about eco-sensitive processes. The resort truly lives the powerful core values of CGH Earth Hotels by consciously remembering to respect the surrounding ecosystems. The cotton bath linens and face towels are sourced from Kara, a local ladies’ support group in Marari, which runs a hand-weaving center to produce the traditional cotton weaves.