2010

Almost 100% satisfaction Last season we received feedback from 86% of our customers and 99.2% of them said that they would recommend us to friends. To the question – how would you rate the ‘overall enjoyment of your holiday’ – over 98.9% said excellent or good. Some of the 14% who did not give us feedback are already re-booking with us – so we assume that they too were happy with our services.
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We had a marvellous time in Kerala, our first trip to India. Everything we saw was completely different from what we are used to - the vegetation, the birds (I hated the crows but loved the kingfishers!), the potholed roads and the wonderfully graceful and colourfully-dressed women. Everyone we had contact with was very friendly, particularly the men who were cricket-mad and loved to discuss the minutiae with Stuart. Our driver invited us to call him "JR" and was a real gem. We felt we had made a friend in him - nothing was too much trouble and he volunteered all sorts of information. Our trip into the hills was fascinating partly because of the roads, goats, cows, dogs and pedestrians and partly because of the scenery. Unfortunately the weather in the hills was awful, being wet and cold. As we descended from the hills the temperature rose markedly while we approached sea level. We found the riceboat experience quite magical and enjoyed every minute. We had a lovely crew, and were served up with half a dozen dishes at every meal, and I don't think we ever had the same thing twice. The sun shone all the time as well which helped greatly. We were told by all the locals that the monsoon had been late in starting and was late in finishing, so our timing was not quite right. All the arrangements were spot on and all the accommodation was more than satisfactory and each very different from the last. Sorry to whinge about the weather, but that was our only complaint!
Jill Hughes
November/December 2010
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Hi Gary We had a brilliant trip and would be delighted to recommend Kerala Connections. If we return to that part of the world in future I would certainly book through you guys again. I recall some mention in the paperwork that you have a brief guide to Kerala food - if you do, please send it my way to help me remember all the wonderful experiences we had! Thanks for organising a great trip for us - I'll fill in the questionnaire online.
Graham Murray
December 2010
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We have completed your questionnaire after what was a most memorable and enjoyable holiday. There were only a very few ‘glitches’ and some elements of the holiday were spectacularly good. Overall we had a fantastic experience in India.
Colin Shead
November/December2010
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Thank you for organising the holiday. Jes - our driver was careful, courteous and informative. I hope one day the Brampton budget will allow us to visit Southern India again it is a beautiful part of India we preferred it to the north.
David Brampton
November 2010
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The Tea Bungalow Hotel, Cochin was a wonderful place to stay and everything was of a very high standard. The staff were highly professional in all respects, the accommodation was very roomy well laid out and spotlessly clean and all the food was cooked, presented and tasted excellent. Windermere, Munnar was a great place with excellent accommodation and facilities all positioned to get the best views of the hills and surrounding valleys. The Spice Village resort had lodges nicely laid out in landscaped grounds to give you privacy if you wanted it but still close enough to your neighbours to make friends. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the food delicious. The forest trek into Periyar Tiger Reserve is an absolute must for people who are interested in wild life. There is an early morning trek which we did not take but which would offer more things to see although we were not disappointed as we saw elephants, eagles, wild pig, owls, and the flora would keep you more that occupied. Purity - it's not very day you get to have a holiday in a newly finished resort and be the first and only two guests to use the facilities and have all the staff at your disposal. Chef made us excellent meals which the staff, some new, were very professional in the way they served us. In fact all the staff here were excellent. There is more development planned and yet to be built at this resort and if the finish and high level of detail is to be continued it is highly recommended. Dewalokam - this is where we were most looking forward to visiting because the description of the resort was our type of holiday: forest, wildlife, river, organic farm, plantation, walking, peace and quiet; and so our list went on and it is all there at this excellent home stay. The moment we saw the home stay we knew we were not going to be disappointed. We did so many things here that all the staff in some way were involved and it was purely to make our stay so remarkable and unforgettable. It's always said to save the BEST until last and with Dewalokam it was certainly the case and the cost of this stay for the all round high standard was incredible. We want to express our thanks to Anil our driver. His knowledge of the region and the places that we stayed or visited proved to be very beneficial. At all times he was professional, courteous, helpful, punctual, smiling and our needs were his priority. Next time we come we will request that we have him as our driver. We enjoyed our stay in Kerala so much that we will be making a return trip soon and hope to visit some of the places visited this time as well as exploring more of this amazing region.
Bill Newton
November 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A fabulous holiday which went without a hitch. The organisation of Kerala Connections and Companion Holidays was excellent and we would have no hesitation in recommending you. Our driver (Krishnan) was excellent with a good command of English and knowledge of the Indian culture and history. He was always prompt, courteous and well presented. 5 stars.
Roger Southcott
November/December 2010
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Anil our driver went out of his way to make sure we enjoyed our trip. We felt very safe with his driving. Aanavisalam was outstanding in every way.
Diana Neale
December 2010
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Hi Diana and Trevor We arrived back safely on Tuesday evening just in time before Gatwick closed – how lucky we were. But getting back home wasn’t much fun. We had a lovely holiday. All pick-ups etc worked perfectly. The weather wasn’t too good - everyone said it would normally have been much better that time of year. For us, the best part was the houseboat. We would certainly recommend Kerala Connections to friends
June and David Hawkins
Travelled to Kerala in November 2010
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A wonderful experience. An expertly compiled package meeting all requirements and more. Helpful friendly staff at all the accommodation. The local agent was organised, helpful and knowledgeable. The driver was super! Your visa advice was very useful. A relaxing holiday with fond memories to look back on. Can’t wait to visit India again. Thank you.
Catherine Parrott
October 2010
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Hi Gary Could I just thank you for the service we have received so far, the travel documents are great and we are very much looking forward to our trip and would not hesitate to recommend the company. Thanks Angela
Angela Barron Travelling in
December 2010
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Diana - I just wanted to say we had the most wonderful trip. Your agents in India were terrific. They were extremely courteous and helpful. Everything went according to plan. The two days on the rice barge were great, we could have done three nights but I don’t know where we would have taken the time from. Spice Village and Shreyas were both inspirationally and ethically run resorts. We have come back totally taken with the people, their kindness, the colour, the plurality of ideas, the spiritual richness that penetrates everyday life... Thank you!
Lisette Keats
October 2010
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Gary - the trip was superb. I will spread the word down under about your faultless service. Obviously highlights were Aanavilasam, the houseboat (superb) and Amarvilas (oh my god), the villa d'este of India! The guide in Agra was world class. And driver down south...superb service and great guy...Anil. Thank you again David Brown From Australia -
travelled to North and South India in October 2010
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Your step by step guide to completing the online visa application was a ‘God-send’.
Fiona Glover
Travelling to Karnataka and Kerala in October 2010
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Thank you so much Kerala Connections! We came across KC by chance on the internet, which never feels very reliable, but so pleased we found you as you made our holiday. We were travelling with 2 very young children and wanted advice and reassurance about going to India. From the onset KC were incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and honest, advising us on places we could go to with kids and the places we should stay in. We took on board all your advice and had a fantastic trip. I would highly recommend you to anyone interested in travelling to India, but particularly with young children. The service was outstanding, the holiday perfect. Thank you. We're saving to go again soon!
Sophie McGeoch
April 2010
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Dear Trevor, Just a quick note to say a big thank you for your helpful advice regarding the online visa process. It really was an easy step by step guide and the process has been succesfully completed. The centre in Edinburgh was very helpful and most efficient in dealing with our request. Looking forward to the holiday now! Regards Catherine
Catherine & Julian Travelling to Kerala in October 2010 commenting on the step-by-step visa application guide supplied by Kerala Connections.
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All went very smoothly and we had a fantastic time. Thanks for all your help and we'd have no hesitation in using you again/recommending you to friends.
Simon and Polly Webb
April 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The service we encountered was second to none and the arrangements were faultless. The accommodation was all of a very high standard and we were very pleased with the whole arrangement. I will certainly recommend your company to anyone looking to travel to Kerala.
Avril Reynolds
March 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We had a wonderful holiday, the organization was excellent; Kerala Connections had listened so carefully to us and gauged our tastes with amazing accuracy. Thank you for planning and providing a holiday that we cannot find enough positive adjectives to describe. We have seen some amazing sights and met many lovely and warm people. Thank you again, we will without hesitation recommend Kerala Connections to anyone we know that is thinking of going to Southern India.
Mr and Mrs Bettle
March 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Itinerary was first class. Right places, right amount of time, good variety. Absolutely top notch driver. Net - a wonderful trip - would not hesitate to recommend you.
Gwyn Price
March 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The whole trip was superbly organised and planned. Kerala Connections know a great deal about the region and are willing to spend time meeting specific requirements. They helped us turn our good trip into a great one. I rate this holiday 11 out of 10 - can I say more ?
Nigel Humphries
March 2010 (Responsible Travel customer - for full report go to www.responsibletravel.com - Kerala Luxury Holiday)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ It's hard to believe that we are home again into this icy cold wind after 32C at Marari Beach - probably our favourite place. We loved Orange County - staff very friendly and food excellent. Coconut Lagoon - wow - so pretty and good buffets, charming waiters and excellent pool. Your itinerary provided an excellent route across and within Kerala and we think it is a very good state for those visiting India for the first time. So, many thanks for all the time and trouble spend on our behalf.
Mr and Mrs Taylor
March 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We were very impressed with the agent. Deepa the cook on the houseboat was excellent. Some homestays did not make our beds when we were out. Nelpura had an impressive, succinct and informative fact sheet. I taught for many years on hotel and catering courses and I was staggered by the high standards and sheer professionalism of all the homestays.
Alison Buckingham
March 2010 (Responsible Travel customer - for full report go to www.responsibletravel.com - Kerala Homestay Tour)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our holiday was just fabulous. In fact, as we show our photographs to family and friends we have realised that this was the best holiday we have ever had. Prakash, our driver, was just brilliant. All the arrangements slotted into place so well. Shenbaga in particular was exceptional on all levels. Diana - many thanks for all your help and advice - we had a fabulous trip.
Mr and Mrs Czuprynski
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A fantastic trip. Many thanks. This has been the most trouble-free holiday we have ever been on.
Tracy Ketcher
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We really enjoyed our holiday and had a wonderful time. We have already recommended you - several times. Tissa's Inn was exceptional and Mr Francis the perfect manager. Punnamada Resort was delightful in every category. Dewalokam and Nelpura were both charming.
Richard and Annie Woolmer
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our holiday was a great success throughout and I write to thank you again for your first class organisation, preparation and the detailed information that enabled us to feel secure and relaxed throughout the seventeen days in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Our driver, Krishnan, was excellent in all respects - kind, tolerant, punctual and nothing was too much trouble for him. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the bird life enhanced my holiday in particular. What do you suggest for a third visit to India?
Dr Tim Huins
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Homestays - an excellent experience, the best way to stay in an unfamiliar country.
Mr and Mrs Lewis
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The local agent was responsive and keen to please. Three of the hotels on the tour were outstanding, Olive Brook was the only disappointment (the room was not good and no real sense of welcome - but the food was excellent). Thank you for organising an excellent holiday. We will be back.
Mr and Mrs Withers
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We though we would write just to say how pleased we were with the holiday you arranged. Everything went according to plan. Having read a bit about India we were absolutely amazed at the precision of all our connections. We had a lovely young man, Ajay, as our driver. He was an excellent driver and we enjoyed his company. Highlights were Olive Brook at Munnar, where the cooking and service were outstanding, Bethsaida Hermitage where the gardens were beautiful, the dinners excellent and the staff friendly and the rice boat trip. We thought it well worthwhile going for two days on the boat. It meant we took a long tour south of Vembanad Lake and much of the time there was not another rice boat in sight. The boat looked almost new and was beautifully kept. The chef was really excellent and had reasonable English. It was probably the best food we had during the whole trip, although it was hard to choose. We enjoyed our stay at Arakal Hermitage and the food here was also excellent. The Old Courtyard was just the sort of hotel we like. Mr Kumar was very efficient with exemplary timekeeping throughout the trip. We had a simply wonderful holiday and look forward to going back to Kerala some time in the future. Pamela and Garry McCracken
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Of all the holidays we have this one was beyond our expectations. Everything went smoothly. The organisation was fantastic. The local agent was very reliable and informative and their timing absolutely brilliant - we never had to wait. The Lakes and Lagoons Houseboat - wow! Couldn't fault it. Spice Village, Thekkady was our favourite hotel. We are very impressed and are 100% satisfied customers. Your company is absolutely fantastic.
Kevin Bailey
February 2010
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We thought the holiday was fabulous. Raj was an excellent and careful driver with a very comfortable car.
Ms Faye Pring
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The holiday was an absolutely wonderful experience. We loved everything we did and saw. The places we stayed were exactly right - we wouldn't have wanted to have missed anything - all so different but spectacular in their own way. One of the many highlight was meeting up with other Kerala Connections clients - all lovely people! Thank you so much for being so helpful and easy to deal with. We are so very glad that we let you organise it for us - and we said so time after time while we were away. We are recommending Kerala Connections to everyone who'll listen!
Meg Movshon
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thank you Gary for another great holiday and the best holiday organisation we have experienced (two years running). All went well, yet again some great choices from you. The hotels and homestays were just right. Tranquil was superb. We shall be back - we have fallen in love with India. Thank you again.
Alison Welton
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The whole decision-making and booking of the holiday was swift and painless due to Kerala Connections' (Gary Tree's) helpfulness and efficiency. We have declared this one of the best holidays we have ever had. We greatly appreciated having our own driver for 8 days and became very fond of him. Kerala is a beautiful place with charming people.
Elizabeth Graham & Mike Brook
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We liked Philipkutty's the best, the hospitality was exceptional and the food wonderful. The staff at Surya Samudra were over attentive to the point of being annoying and there was still a lot of building work going on.
Mr Christopher White
February 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Diana - from first talking to you to the end of our holiday - it was superb. The Old Lighthouse Hotel in Cochin was very good. The houseboat a wonderful experience. Marari Beach was just wonderful. I could not find words to describe the kindness and care we received. In fact, I do not visit the same holiday destination more than once. But I hope to go back next year. Thank you for everything.
Marian and Vivienne Rudd
January 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We had an absolutely wonderful holiday, totally unforgettable. We met some fantastic people who added immeasurably to our experience; both drivers Mr Sanil and Mr Prakash; the lovely staff at Shamrock and Salim Pushpanath and his small team at Aanavilasam stand out. On our last night at Pollethai, the new chef prepared us a wonderful Kerala feast which really was generous and special. We will be recommending India and Kerala Connections to friends and family.Thank you.
Andrew Gillon
January 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A wonderful trip. Although Olive Brook only gets '3' for furnishing it was one of the nicest as the boys were so kind and hospitable so '6' for hospitality!
Mr and Mrs Pierce
January 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just a quick note to say how much our group enjoyed the trip you arranged for us to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Marari Beach Resort was wonderful in every way, beach, birds, flowering trees, lovely swimming pool and excellent service. Your drivers were excellent, weaving their way brilliantly along narrow roads crammed with people, bicycles, scooters, lorries and buses, and the train was fun even if filthy. The only slight let down of the entire trip was the Radisson Hotel at Mahabalipuram - which was spread out over a vast area and rather soulless with inefficient service. I would very much hope to come back to you next year to get suggestions for visiting Goa perhaps combined with Hampi and Karnataka. In the meantime, many thanks for all your help.
Valerie Pakenham
January 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is the third time we have travelled with Kerala Connections and we can't fault them in any way. From the initial planning stage through to completion of journey, everything has run like clockwork with excellent customer care from both Kerala Connections and their Indian partner - Companion Holidays. We will definitely be travelling with them again.
Adele Alcock
January 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thank you for arranging such an amazing trip for us. All went smoothly with no hiccups. The organisation was seamless and the information you sent most useful. We will definitely be going to India again and Kerala Connections will be top of the list of contacts. Fabulous!
Cath and Chris Henry
January 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just to say a very big thank you for arranging what turned out to be a most amazing holiday in South India! The drive from Mysore to Cochin was absolutely beautiful, particularly around Ooty and Munnar. Our driver, Anil, was lovely and had a great sense of humour. All our accommodation was first rate - particularly Orange County and Tranquil. And as for Bangaram, well it was just totally idyllic. We also loved Case del Fauno in Munnar.
Wendy Hampton
January 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kerala Connections is very thorough and efficient. Trevor - an excellent and most memorable holiday. Thank you for all your help with putting the itinerary together and helping find hotels to suit our wishes. Everything ran like clockwork.
Becky Thurtell
January 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Completely fantastic! It was a really great trip, I loved it! The most huge and beautiful tropical place that I had ever been to, I can't wait to return!
Julia Jean-Francois (from the US) January 2010
(Responsible Travel customer - for full report go to www.responsibletravel.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I wanted to say how much we enjoyed our holiday. Superbly organised from start to finish, it was the dream family adventure I'd hope for. So much so, I'd like to see if you can arrange a jaunt to Marari Beach for us as we fell in love with the peace (and open- hearted warmth of the staff) at Marari.
Kathy Conant
January 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Metropole Hotel, Mysore needs better management. Good potential but poor organisation. Malabar House, Fort Cochin - Sophia on the front desk is worth her weight in gold. Breakfast spread distinctly average for this class of hotel. A pity because the building and location are great. Houseboat took a disappointing route.
Bruce Oliver
January 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A truly memorable holiday - many thanks. The local agent was always available. All transfers went smoothly and efficiently. We found that the CGH Earth Group establishments were professionally run and the staff polite and attentive. The Taj Green Cove at Kovalam could learn some lessons from CGH Earth. The restaurant was chaotic, staff like headless chickens and the food poor. The place was great but the staff!!!.
Mr Underwood & Miss Cater
January 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ It was a great holiday with a variety of experiences. Kerala Connections clearly understood our needs and preferences and matched that up with their extensive local knowledge to produce an extremely well organised itinerary and memorable experience.
Fiona Burke
January 2010 (Responsible Travel customer - for full report go to www.responsibletravel.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------