Luxury Houseboat in Alleppey: What to Look For
A luxury houseboat in Alleppey can mean very different things. Two boats sold under the same name can differ in the things that actually make a stay comfortable: how long the AC runs, whether the living area is enclosed, what is on the menu, and whether the boat is yours alone. This page explains what to check, and how the boats we book compare.
Five things that make a houseboat luxurious
1. How long the AC runs
Many houseboats run bedroom AC only at night. On the Deluxe boats we book it runs from about 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM. On the Premium boats we book it is available on demand from check-in to check-out. Ask any operator for the exact hours.
2. Whether the living area is enclosed
Most houseboats have an open living and dining area, cooled by the breeze. The top category of houseboat in Alleppey has a fully glass-enclosed living area with central AC throughout the cruise. If that matters to you, ask specifically for it — it is the clearest difference between a Premium and a Luxury boat.
3. The menu
Every overnight houseboat serves lunch, evening tea, dinner and breakfast. The better boats widen the menu. On the Premium boats we book that means karimeen (pearl spot) fry at lunch, tender coconut on arrival, Kerala parotta at dinner, and North Indian dishes alongside Kerala food.
4. Privacy
A luxury stay should be a private boat, with the crew there for your group only. A sharing houseboat, where you book a room on a boat with other guests, is a good budget choice but not a luxury one.
5. The route
A comfortable boat on a short, busy route is still a short, busy route. Ask where the boat goes. Ours crosses Punnamada and Vembanad Lake, passes the R Block and C Block paddy fields, winds through the island canals and moors near Kuppapuram village for the night. You can add a Kumarakom round trip for an extra fee.
The top tier we book today: Premium
Our Premium houseboats have full-time bedroom AC, upgraded interiors, a spacious dining area, a wider menu and, on selected boats, an upper deck or open viewing area. Their living areas are open, not glass-enclosed. Premium costs a fixed amount more than Deluxe per night: ₹3,000 on a 1-bedroom boat, rising by ₹1,000 for each extra bedroom.
Questions to ask before you book any luxury houseboat
- What hours does the AC run, and in which rooms?
- Is the living area enclosed and air-conditioned?
- Is the boat private, or shared with other guests?
- What exactly is on the menu for each meal?
- What is the route, and where does the boat moor for the night?
- What is the total price for my date, including weekend or festival rates?
We answer all of these in writing on WhatsApp before you pay anything. Booking needs a 25% advance, with the balance paid at check-in.
Luxury for two, or for a group
For couples, a Premium 1-bedroom boat with the flower decoration add-on is our most private option; see houseboat for couples. For families and groups, larger Premium boats cost little more than adding full-time AC to a Deluxe boat of the same size.
FAQ
Luxury houseboat questions, answered.
Do you have luxury houseboats?
The top tier we book today is Premium, with full-time bedroom AC and a wider menu.
What is the difference between Premium and Luxury houseboats?
The main difference is the living area: a Luxury boat has a fully glass-enclosed, centrally air-conditioned living area. Premium boats have AC in the bedrooms and an open living area.
Is a luxury houseboat private?
It should be. All the boats we book are private except the sharing houseboat, where guests book individual rooms.
Ask us anything about a boat.
We answer AC hours, menu and route in writing on WhatsApp before you book.