Alleppey Diaries: A Backwater Escape with My Favourite Person
There are some trips where the destination is the highlight. And then there are trips where the stay becomes a part of the destination itself.
My Alleppey trip with my fiancé was one of those.
We wanted a break from busy schedules and everyday routines, somewhere we could slow down, spend time together and wake up to something completely different from our usual surroundings.
Alleppey seemed perfect.
Known for its beautiful backwaters, coconut-lined waterways, traditional boats and relaxed pace of life, it felt like the kind of place where you don’t need to constantly plan what comes next.
Sometimes, you can simply sit back and let the destination unfold.
And that is exactly what we did.
Checking Into Sterling Lake Palace Alleppey
Our stay at Sterling Lake Palace Alleppey was one of the biggest highlights of the trip.
Spread across 17 acres beside Lake Vembanad, the resort immediately gave us that feeling of being away from the city and closer to nature. The lake, greenery and peaceful surroundings created a completely different atmosphere from the moment we arrived.
What I loved most was that Sterling didn’t feel like just a place to sleep between sightseeing plans.
The resort itself felt like an experience worth slowing down for.
We could spend part of the day exploring Alleppey and then return to the resort and simply enjoy the surroundings. The property offers cottages and suites with lake or lagoon views, along with experiences such as kayaking, shikara rides, jet-skiing, sunset cruises and fishing.
For a couple travelling together, that balance was perfect.
We didn’t have to fill every hour with sightseeing. Some of our favourite moments were simply sitting together, enjoying the calm atmosphere and taking in the views.
And there was another reason we kept looking forward to coming back to the resort.
The food.
A Taste of Kerala at Sterling
One of the things that can completely change a holiday is food, and Sterling Lake Palace made sure ours was memorable.
The resort’s Lake Side Pavilion offers a mix of global cuisines along with authentic Malayali dishes, while its dining experiences also include a dedicated seafood offering.
We made it a point to enjoy our meals at the resort because there was something special about ending a day of exploring with a relaxed dinner without having to travel anywhere else.
And if you’re visiting Kerala, seafood is something you simply cannot ignore.
At Sterling, the seafood experience includes dishes such as Karimeen Polichettu, Mud Crab Roast, Alleppey Grilled Konju and Cajun Spiced Lobsters at The Ocean Kitchen.
For us, dining wasn’t just about having a meal. It became part of the holiday itself.
A beautiful view, good food and the person you love sitting across the table—sometimes that is all you need.
Alleppey’s Weather: Slow Mornings by the Backwaters
The weather added another layer to our experience.
Alleppey has a warm, tropical climate, but the presence of water and greenery gives the destination a relaxed, refreshing character. The region is known for warm temperatures, with a generally pleasant feel around the backwaters during the cooler and drier travel periods.
Our mornings felt especially peaceful.
There was something about stepping outside, feeling the breeze and seeing the water surrounded by greenery that made it very easy to forget about everything happening back home.
If you’re planning an Alleppey trip, comfortable cotton clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen and comfortable footwear are essentials. And if you plan to spend time on the water, carrying a light layer for the evening is a good idea.
But honestly, the best thing to pack?
A little extra time.
Because Alleppey isn’t a destination you should rush through.
Experiencing the Famous Alleppey Backwaters
You can’t visit Alleppey without experiencing its backwaters.
For us, this was one of the most anticipated parts of the trip.
The waterways, coconut trees, small villages and traditional boats create a landscape that feels almost unreal. Everything moves at a slower pace here, and being on the water gives you a completely different perspective of Kerala.
One of the most memorable ways to experience this is through a houseboat stay.
Sterling offers premium houseboat experiences that combine a stay on the water with a resort experience at Sterling Lake Palace. The houseboat itinerary includes cruising through areas such as Pallathuruthy, Kuttanad and Kainakary, with opportunities to see the Vembanad landscape and even the Nehru Trophy Boat Race venue.
And this is where Alleppey starts feeling less like a holiday destination and more like a story you’re living inside.
Places to Explore Around Alleppey
While the resort itself gave us plenty to do, we also wanted to experience Alleppey beyond Sterling.
The Alleppey backwaters were naturally at the top of our list, but we also explored the local side of the destination.
A visit to Alappuzha Beach is worth adding to your itinerary if you enjoy sunsets, long walks and coastal views.
We also wanted to see more of the local culture, so we explored the town and its markets, where everyday Kerala life feels very different from the resort experience.
And if you have time, exploring the smaller waterways and villages around the backwaters is one of the best ways to experience the quieter side of Alleppey.
The beauty of the destination is that you can choose your pace.
You can spend the morning sightseeing, the afternoon on the water and the evening doing absolutely nothing.
And sometimes, doing nothing turns out to be the best plan.
What to Buy in Alleppey
Of course, we couldn’t leave without shopping for a few things to take home.
If you’re wondering what to buy in Alleppey, look out for Kerala spices, tea, coconut-based products, traditional handicrafts, coir products, handmade souvenirs and local snacks.
The region is particularly known for its coir industry, so coir mats, baskets and other handcrafted products make interesting souvenirs.
We also picked up a few local products and little keepsakes—not because we needed them, but because they would remind us of the trip once we were back home.
Because isn’t that the real purpose of souvenirs?
To bring a tiny piece of the journey back with you.
Why Sterling Became Part of the Memory
By the end of our stay, I realised that Sterling Lake Palace wasn’t just where we had stayed.
It had shaped the way we experienced Alleppey.
The spacious property, peaceful lake setting, comfortable accommodation and range of experiences meant we didn’t feel the pressure to constantly leave the resort to have a good holiday.
We could explore.
We could eat.
We could relax.
We could spend time together.
And we could do all of that at our own pace.
The hospitality made it even better. The warmth of the team, the comfortable surroundings and the attention to the overall guest experience made our stay feel genuinely special.
I especially loved that Sterling allowed us to experience both sides of Alleppey—the adventure of the backwaters and the comfort of a beautiful resort.
More Than Just a Holiday
Looking back, I don’t think I’ll remember Alleppey only for the places we visited.
I’ll remember sitting beside my fiancé and watching the water move slowly.
I’ll remember the coconut trees along the backwaters.
I’ll remember discovering local food, browsing through little shops and looking for souvenirs.
I’ll remember the quiet evenings at Sterling.
I’ll remember the meals at the resort.
And I’ll remember how easy it felt to simply be present.
Alleppey gave us the backwaters.
Kerala gave us the flavours.
Sterling Lake Palace gave us the comfort.
And travelling with my fiancé gave every little moment a memory of its own.
Sometimes, the best holidays aren’t about seeing the maximum number of places.
They’re about finding a beautiful place, finding the right person to share it with and giving yourself permission to slow down.
