Zaatvm
bed, b'fast and a beautiful experience
Name
Why are we called Zaatvm?
For a simple house set in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, Zaatvm is a pretty unorthodox name.
But, there's a story to why it's called so...a story we love!
Finding a name is no easy feat. We toyed with a dozen ideas, languages, concepts and even sheer randomness, until we finally stumbled up on Zaatvm. A play on the word "Sattvam", meaning the quality of goodness, positivity, truth, serenity, balance, peacefulness, and virtuousness. Qualities that resonate the most with what we have on offer, besides the fun, thrill and adventure that comes with a vacation at Thiruvananthapuram (Tvm). But most importantly, qualities embodied by our three lovely kids—Zoya, Aambal and Aarcha—harbingers of all things good, to our lives. It is really more a play on their names.
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We ourselves are children to a beautiful mother: one who only knows to care, cook, give and live for others. We grew up seeing her host scores of people—family and friends alike—making sure they were well looked after, fed the most mouth-watering food and sent on their way with memorable experiences! Hospitality—the art of making someone feel entirely at home—is therefore intrinsic to the lovely hosts at Zaatvm and we think your trip to Thiruvananthapuram will not be complete without a slice of the Zaatvm hospitality and its people.
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So...welcome to the Zaatvm experience! We look forward to seeing and serving you soon!
Our Rooms
Zaatvm offers you a duplex home, with three rooms:
two standard rooms—one on the ground floor and one upstairs—and a deluxe room on the first floor with a private balcony. Each room comes with wardrobes and its own private bathroom.
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The common areas include an equipped kitchen, a furnished living-cum-dining area and a verandah on the ground floor. The first-floor has a common-access terrace where you can sit about on a clear night and watch the stars. Or, if you prefer butterflies and fireflies, the creeper-hugged garden seating just outside the ground-floor verandah would be a perfect setting.
This is a soft launch; please speak to us directly regarding rates.
We're as flexible as you'd want us to be. Whether you're a small family or a large group, looking for a single-night stay or a month and more, we are happy to customise our plans and arrangements to suit your needs. You could book just one room, or the entire home. Speak to us and we'll recommend the best for you.
Our Services
We focus on personalising your stay as much as possible, making your Zaatvm stay—and Thiruvananthapuram—a memorable one that you'd talk about to friends and family, who we then would have the pleasure to host!
Food on request
While the neighbourhood is known for the many food outlets at your disposal (via Swiggy / Zomato), we're more than happy to provide you some lip-smacking Zaatvm meals. Be it breakfast, lunch, evening snacks or dinner, it'll be a sumptuous Kerala spread, prepared with love by our lovely mother.
And, till you settle in and get your own supplies, we have you covered with our complimentary tea and coffee set up in the dining area.
Pick Up/Drop
Don't worry about reaching or leaving Zaatvm. We're happy to pick you up from the train/bus stations or airport. Thiruvananthapuram is one of those few places in India where a commute from the airport is not a half-day affair ;) Let us know when you book with us and we'll be there to welcome/see you off!
Free Wi-Fi
We know you need to be connected
to the world, wherever you are.
That's why at Zaatvm we provide you access to free Wi-Fi.
But, remember: 'sharing is caring'...don't use it all up! It's set up in the common area, so while reception may be low in your room, you're in the heart of the city: phone connectivity
and mobile Internet should be good!
Pssst...remember you're on vacation:
get off that phone and enjoy your time ;)
Roam Around With Us
There is a lot to see around
Thiruvananthapuram and its outskirts, including neighbouring districts/states. Let us know in advance and we will chauffer you around*, help with your itinerary, drop you off at your next destination in South Kerala and bring you back to base at Zaatvm!
*at truly competitive rates you will not regret!
Housekeeping
No one will handle your clothes
as well as you would. That's why we provide you a washing machine (and a steam iron with an ironing table), to help you with your laundry. All we ask is that you give the environment a thought: if you can do with the same linen for the length of your stay unless they're terribly soiled for whatever reasons, we (and the environment) will love you for that!
Bring 'em pets along!
Zaatvm is an experience wide open to your furry friends too! We love animals and if you're travelling with yours, we love you already! Please make sure they don't get on our linen or chew up our furniture*. And oh, please do clean up after them just like you'd do at home!
*additional payment per pet at check-in
Our gallery of pictures...
Greens, blooms and tiny winged visitors to add a bit of unplanned joy to your visit...
...and videos of our rooms and property!
Exploring Thiruvananthapuram
Widely referred to even today by the colonial name "Trivandrum", Thiruvananthapuram is the capital city of Kerala, India's southern-most state. The name literally translates to "City of the Lord Anantha" in Malayalam, Kerala's native language. Now that you're planning a travel and checking out places to stay, you'll definitely come across a mention
of the famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, a Hindu shrine at the city center, the landmark of the city.
The residing deity reclines on the serpent, Anantha, and that's where the name is derived from.
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Thiruvananthapuram is young and energetic, yet laid back and easy-going. While most travellers springboard from the city to nearby beach resorts and the like, the city itself has several must-see sights that justify a longer stay.
Enjoy the Arabian Sea
The world-famous Kovalam
beach is a mere 35 minutes from your Zaatvm stay. So are the Poovar, Sankhumukham, Lighthouse, and Azhimala beaches. While Mother Nature is slowly claiming some of these, there are loads of places to sit and watch the waves over a drink and yummies!
Take in cultural sites and museums
The Museum of History & Heritage,
Napier Museum, Sri Chithra Art Gallery,
Puthen Maliga Palace Museum, Kanakakunnu Palace, National History Museum...a short research on Lonely Planet will give you a clear idea of what to expect in these sites. And, of course the fabulous Padmanabhapuram Palace!
Go on a mini pilgrimage
Home to the famed Sri Padmanabhaswamy and Attukal Devi temples, Vettukaadu Church,
St Joseph's Cathedral and the famous Beemapalli mosque.
These aren't all: move a bit out of Thiruvananthapuram and there are more in all directions, if you're up for a long drive.
Trek through hills, valleys and falls
Ponmudi Hills, Neyyar Dam, Braemore Estate, Agasthyamala, Varayattumotta, Golden Valley, Meenmutty/Vaazhvanthol falls, Sasthampara, Eerattinpuram... Trivandrum and its outskirts have a lot on offer to quench a trekker's thirst! Talk to us and we can help you with an itinerary!
Explore the Zoo
A plastic and litter-free nature park, spread over 55 acres of woodland, lakes and lawns. One of the oldest in the country, hosting over 80 species of wildlife from around the world. A walk through this sprawling zoo itself can lift your spirits. And it's just 3km from your Zaatvm stay!
Pack up for outstation trips
Wish to experience the backwaters of Alleppey, the hill stations of Munnar, Jew Town of Kochi or the sunrise/set of Kanyakumari? We will gladly take you there, hand you over safely to your next host and bring you back when ready. Just let us know of your requirements when you book with us.
A few things to keep in mind
The weather: Let's admit it, being close to the beaches means a lot of humidity, year round! Thiruvananthapuram has a climate that borders between a tropical savanna and a tropical monsoon. And so, our seasons sync more with rainfall than temperature. If you love the rain, plan your trip to Kerala between June and August—the Kerala monsoons are absolutely breathtaking. With climate changes and related phenomena surprising us across the globe, we can only say this: carry loads of sunscreen, good large umbrellas, and lovely, breathable cotton clothing!
The language: Kerala is the most literate state in the country and people here are generally good at communicating in multiple languages. If you are an Indian traveller, you'll get along fine with Hindi. And for international travellers, English is well-accepted. Address our men as "Saarey" / "Chettaa" and women as "Madam" / "Chechi" ; you'll get all the help you need! ;)
The attire: Most parts of Kerala—and all of Thiruvananthapuram—is quite liberal when it comes to attire. Except for a few religious sites where there are strict policies around covering your legs and shoulders, you're free to wear your favourite clothes. Of course, be respectful of the local community and wear what will allow you to blend in as much as possible. You will not see a lot of locals in bikinis, mini-skirts/shorts and tank tops, but jeans, shorts, bermudas, sleeveless tops/shirts, etc. are quite common—apart from the most common churidars, sarees, shirts, mundu and trousers.
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The cuisines: The variety of cuisines you find in Thiruvananthapuram is mind-blowing. Right from global food brands at the Thiruvananthapuram Lulu Mall (one of India's largest malls) to the 'glocal' restaurants that offer almost every cuisine from around the world, your food options are many. And your Zaatvm stay is in an area with the best food outlets in a 3km radius. Why, we even have a Hungarian restaurant close by! But, while your choices are international, we urge you to try the multiple varieties that are part of our Kerala cuisine. No better place to experience authentic Kerala cuisine than Kerala itself, yes?
Contact Us
A Street, Srirangam Lane, Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram - 10 | zaatvm@gmail.com | +91-7736129151, 9400038250