Abad Turtle Beach Resort — Mararikulam

Abad Turtle Beach Resort captures the essence of Kerala's quieter coast — a golden-sand beach, gentle village life and lush palm-lined paths connecting tiled cottages, lawns and thatched pavilions. Named for the olive ridley turtles that nest along this shoreline, the resort is designed to sit lightly in its landscape, with low-rise cottages, native planting and a private canal winding through the gardens.

Accommodation is split between Garden View Cottages, tucked among the palms with private verandahs, and Deluxe Cottages with Sea View, where vaulted timber ceilings and garden doors open toward the sea. Days are shaped by the tide: swimming in the palm-fringed pool, long lunches in the open-sided beachside restaurant, Ayurveda treatments in traditional therapy rooms and sunset walks along one of Kerala's least developed beaches.

The resort makes an ideal beach finale to a backwaters or hill-country itinerary. Alleppey's houseboat jetties are around 30 minutes away, Cochin International Airport roughly 90 minutes, and the surrounding Marari fishing villages offer birdlife, cycling routes and warm, unhurried village hospitality.