Luxury houseboat Alleppey: what you get and whether it is worth it

What makes a luxury houseboat in Alleppey

There is no official luxury grade; the word is the operator's own. In practice, boats sold as luxury share most of these features:

• Bedrooms with large windows facing the water, good mattresses and wardrobes
• Bathrooms with steady hot water, proper showers and better fittings
• AC in the bedrooms for most of the stay, and an enclosed lounge that can be cooled
• An upper deck with loungers or a sit out for sunset
• More space per guest, so a two bedroom luxury boat is often much longer than a two bedroom deluxe
• A larger menu, sometimes with a choice of dishes at each meal

The hull and roof often keep the kettuvallam look outside, with the comforts hidden inside.

Inside a luxury Kerala houseboat

Luxury houseboat interiors lean towards a calm resort feel: polished wood, cream linen, cane or teak furniture, soft lighting and floral or landscape art. The best bedrooms are at the front or back with windows on three sides, so you wake up to the water. A glass fronted lounge has sofas, a dining table and a television that nobody watches once the boat starts moving.

For a broader look at cabins and layouts on all kinds of boats, see inside a Kerala houseboat.

Luxury, premium or deluxe: the differences that matter

For the lower rungs, read deluxe, premium and AC boats.

Ultra luxury and the most luxurious boats

At the very top, a few boats are sold as ultra luxury. These may have a private balcony for the main bedroom, a bathtub or a small plunge pool on deck, a dedicated host on the crew, or a chef who cooks to order. Some are fitted for larger parties with a conference style lounge. They are few, they book out early in season, and they cost far more than an ordinary luxury boat.

Luxury houseboat Alleppey: is the upgrade worth it?

It is, when comfort is the main thing between you and enjoying the trip: older parents who cannot cope with heat, a honeymoon where you want a beautiful room, a hot April or May, or a special occasion. No, if you are travelling in the cool months and will sit in the lounge all day anyway; a good premium boat gives you most of the experience for noticeably less.

Couples weighing up options will find more ideas in couples and honeymoon, and families in the family guide.

Questions to ask before paying for luxury

1. Will you share recent pictures or a walkthrough clip of this exact boat's bedrooms, bathrooms and lounge?
2. For how many hours does the AC run in the bedrooms and in the lounge?
3. Where is the generator, and is the boat fitted with a sound proof generator room?
4. Is the upper deck shaded, and is it safe for children?
5. What is on the menu, and can the cook prepare dishes we request?
6. Is the boat licensed and classified, and can you share the certificate?
7. Is this a private boat only for our party?

Kettuvallam style outside, comfort inside

Many travellers worry that luxury means a floating hotel with no character. The better luxury boats keep the curved thatch roof, the dark wooden hull and the open bow seating of the old rice barges, and put the modern comforts inside. If the traditional look matters to you, ask to see the outside of the boat as well as the rooms. You can read about the old barges in the kettuvallam.