Cranganor

Rooms

Cranganor has just 10 comfortable rooms with a few subtle differences between them: location (ground or first floor), bathroom features, and slightly varied vistas. Each has a private balcony or veranda overlooking the gardens and river.

The River Meadow Rooms are set on the riverside lawn with sliding doors opening onto balconies, while the Riverside Pool Deck Rooms are on the lawn overlooking the infinity pool. The River Panorama Rooms are on the first floor, with stunning views over the gardens and river.

The room decor is elegantly understated, with gloriously vibrant ceramic tiles, stained glass, and handmade wooden beds topped with linen from Indian artisans. Bathrooms are generous, with rainfall showers and thoughtful extras like homemade coffee and cane sugar body scrub, and jojoba and hemp body butter. We stayed upstairs, in the River Panorama – Teal & Mustard Room, where the balcony gave us eye-level views of kingfishers flitting between branches. Windows on three sides and a soaring ceiling meant the room felt really light and airy. Rooms come with AC and all the mod cons, as well as ample storage space.

Rooms are connected by open-sided walkways to communal areas offering myriad spaces to relax; read in the small library, doze off in a hammock, or play chess while watching the world go by.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Satellite TV
• Slippers
• Terrace/balcony
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

Eating at Cranganor is a total delight and a celebration of Kerala’s rich culinary heritage. A team of women from the surrounding neighbourhood turns out some of the most delicious home-cooked Malayali food we’ve had. Meals are served in the relaxed, open-sided restaurant, directly overlooking the gardens and river.





The seasonal menu changes monthly and features fish straight from the Periyar, herbs from nearby markets, and spices from Kerala’s famed plantations. Alongside South Indian staples of fluffy idli and appams, pollichathu (fish in banana leaves), you’ll find unctuous curries and Indian classics such as aloo ghobi as well as international fare throughout the day; eggs any-style, grilled chicken, and the occasional club sandwich. Pray that Sindhura mango are in season and served at breakfast. We’re still thinking about them! Everything is made fresh to order, so the team will usually take your lunch request at breakfast, and dinner request at lunch – all part of the gentle rhythm of life here.

Features include:

• Dinner by arrangement
• Lunch by arrangement
• Restaurant
• Vegan options
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Explore the lost port city of Muziris with a guided tour taking in age-old churches and synagogues, traditional coir craft making, and the ancient Paliam Palace


• Lean into wellness with a guided yoga or meditation session, take the free bikes out for a spin, or indulge in one (or many) Ayurvedic treatments offered on site


• Take to the water with either a motor boat tour of the river and its numerous tributaries or take the slow route and kayak down the lazy Periyar at sunset


• For a change of scenery, make a day trip to Cherai or Munnakal beach (40 minutes) where fishing villages and backwaters line the coast


• Or venture a little further to Fort Cochin (1hr 30 mins) to see the iconic, giant Chinese fishing nets in action, or to marvel at the melange of Indian, Portuguese, Dutch and British architecture


• Appreciate the traditional artistry offered at Cranganor. The team organise shows ranging from shadow puppetry to traditional dance form Bharatanatyam

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Ayurvedic treatments
• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Meditation
• Shopping / markets
• Spa treatments
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Well being
• Yoga

Kids

Children are made most welcome but we think Cranganor is better for older kids who might enjoy taking themselves (and perhaps you, or their siblings) out on a kayak. There’s no fence between the property and the water’s edge, which might prove a little worrisome for parents with very small children. There's no specific kids menu but baby food can be prepared on request.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Red & Green Room and the Yellow & Blue Room interconnect to make a two-bedroom suite which can sleep up to 6. All rooms can take an extra bed and a baby cot.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 35 minutes
• Hospital: 15 minutes
• Shops: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Cranganor is located in North Paravur in Kerala. It’s situated in a small village on the Periyar River just 35 minutes from the airport, surrounded by untainted, tropical Keralan forest.

By Air:
Flights to Cochin depart regularly from Mumbai and Delhi, but from the UK require an internal connection or international layover.

By Car:
Cochin airport is only 35 minutes away and the team will gladly organise a driver for you at little cost.

By Train:
India’s railways are alive and well. The nearest stations are Aluva, Angamali or Chovvara just 20 minutes away, or an hour from Ernakulum if on trans-regional trains.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.