Aranya Nivas ( KTDC)

This Aranya Nivas ( KTDC) is inside periyar National park approx 3 km from checkpost. Last allowed entry at check post is 5:30 pm. One has to pay entry fee there. Rooms are average though functional. Tariff is more if we compare it to room ambience. Hot water availability is 24/7. Drinking water is given in glass bottles. Linen is average. Jungle view room had good views. Due to monkey menace, windows can't be opened. No AC in any room except suit. We didn't feel need of AC in Jan end. Swimming pool is functional. Buffet dinner n breakfast is average in taste n spread. Nothing extraordinary or bad. Parking is plenty and gated . Main charm of the Aranya Nivas ( KTDC) is breathtaking views at around 5 to 5:30 pm around Lake when all outsider visitors n their buses have returned back. 2nd adv is jungle vibe u get staying here. Also it is 100 m away from boating point , so it's always easy esp in morning 7:30 am shift.Upper deck seats have better views. We got upper deck seat no 1 and 2. I think seat allocation is based on 1st come 1st serve basis. Internet is weak and esp absent at billing counter. So use cash or card. Avoid using their wifi as it can be risky.

Rooms are neat and clean; the toilet is also good and clean. Dinner is provided buffet-style only. Per person, they charge 600 + tax. If you eat a small quantity at night, this is not worthwhile. After 5:30 pm, you cannot go outside. All the staff are personable. A good thing is you can book boating directly from the Aranya Nivas ( KTDC). You will get 40% discount per person, and they will book an upper-deck seat. There is no need to queue for bookings. Overall, the Aranya Nivas ( KTDC) has many restrictions. After 5:30 pm, you cannot leave the Aranya Nivas ( KTDC). The swimming pool is open only until 6:30 pm. You cannot open the room windows, and there are no balconies in any of the rooms

The best part is the location. its nestled inside Periyar forest and 100m away from the boating point. The Aranya Nivas ( KTDC) management arranged for the boating tickets at no extra cost. Very polite and helpful staff. Food was good but spread was limited and a bit expensive. if you are not fond of south Indian cuisine it might be a bit difficult. Overall very satisfying stay.

Best part is that it is inside the reserve forest so if you are looking for peace and quiet, this is an excellent place. It is an old property so you can see the wear and tear, but t remains well maintained.The staff are courteous and are well lead by the Management. Considering that access outside the stay is restricted , few good options in the club house is required.

The stay was pleasant. The rooms need minor maintenance (creaking fans, missing shower curtains. But the location of property and proximity to the lake are major positives. Every transaction at the reception desk (boating tickets, restaurant bills, etc) has to be in cash, which is a negative since they have wifi and network network available.

The rooms were good. Great ambiance inside the forest. They have regular animals coming at night . But morning boat safari for seeing animals will be purely luck. The reception will arrange the tkts for the boat safari. Over all a good experience at the resort with a good swimming pool and restaurant.

Pleasant stay with a calm and cool atmosphere. The property is situated inside Periyar Tiger Reserve and it feels like you are staying inside a forest.

Rooms, amenities, safety and hygiene, food was excellent and staffs are very much co operative. I was booked the room through Make my trip app.

It was a nice stay at the premises. But the room dimension mentioned in the site is wrong. Please correct it

the property is good. located in middle of the tiger reserve. It has direct access to periyar lake. Food is good. Both breakfast and dinner buffet had good spread. Only thing is the rooms need maintenance. The rooms are clean and spacious

Excellent stay. Excellent Location.inside the periyar national park.Near boating area.services are very good.

Stay location is good. Night buffet does not have much variety.

Location was excellent specially the periyar lake view. Stay was comfortable n cosy. Staff had excellent behaviour. Only the food menu was a little boring and buffet was a compulsion. During our stay we had no choice for ala carte.

the resort is located near the lake and it is easy to get the boat tickets.. food and other amenities are good

Location v nice, rooms could be more spacious, food was good. They were accommodative and gave us an early breakfast. Hotel should org-anise early morning safari.

Good Aranya Nivas ( KTDC) At Night entry is restricted at 5.30 PM, check it before booking as kathkali show end after 6. No escalator for first floor rooms

The place is right next to the Periyar Lake safari point and is covered with thick green forest. Rooms are big and clean. The food is decent and service is fairly good as well. There are limited options with infant food but that wasn’t much of a problem for our short stay!