The Hotel Maria International at Kothamangalam is just about 30 min drive from Cochins Nedumbassery Airport, along the Munnar road. This hotel is ideal to base oneself if you want to visit the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary [Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary] which is 10min drive away. The rooms are large, spacious and very clean. AC and Non AC are available. Mr V Joy, the General Manager, is warm and welcoming to every guest, and goes out of his way to make his guests feel at home. Mr Joy’s genuine from the heart service, could put any Taj group executive to shame. We stayed at the Maria for 2 nights in May. Mr Joy personally attended to us whenever we wanted a meal, asking our preferences and recommending suitable local cuisine, which was also very tasty and par excellence.
On the day that we wanted to visit the sanctuary, Mr Joy personally accompanied us there and arranged for a good forest guide. The rest of the staff were also warm, friendly and welcoming. We left the hotel with an exceedingly satisfied feeling, more than we have ever experienced in any other hotel. Rates are reasonable with adequate parking and arrangement for drivers as well.
Highly recommended for visiting the sanctuary and plantations. The Kodanad elephant camp is also close by. Good as a stopover to or from Munnar.