Beach Resorts in Kovalam

Beach resorts in Kovalam come in all sizes and budgets. Once a calm fishing village clustered around its crescents of beach, nowadays Kovalam is Kerala's most developed resort. It is a touristy place and the shore is built up with hotels, but it remains an appealing place to have some fun by the sea, though it has more than its fair share of resident touts and tourist tat.

Beach Resorts in Kovalam

Karikkathi Beach House

Near Nagar Bhagavathy Temple
Mulloor Thottam
Pulinkudi
Tel: 0471 2400956

Two doubles with linked lounge, palm thatch roof, no a/c or TV, perfect for honeymooners. The house comes with private beach, chef, waiter and servants. There is a cottage suitable for families or groups that need extra beds.

The Leela

Samudra Beach
Kovalam
Tel: 0471 2480101

Luxury chain hotel amid brilliant grounds on a hill above Kovalam. Two huge infinity pools boast some of the world's best coastal views, and the Ayurvedic spa has one of the prettiest yoga shalas ever built. Down-to-earth American teacher Bridget Shields runs retreats here.

If this isn't luxurious enough for you, splash out on a stay at The Club. The hotel's discreet and deluxe clubhouse that is strictly heads of state and film stars territory, with a matching price tag. Each suite has beautiful views over the Arabian Sea, there is a 24-hour butler service, your own spa and living room.

Poovar Island Resort

Poovar Island
Tel: 0471 2212068

Award-winning boutique hotel with 'floating' cottages where the backwaters meet the sea. Pool, handicrafts, Ayurveda, water sports.

Beach Resorts in Kovlaam, the List Continues

Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort

Chowara Beach
South of Kovalam
Tel: 0471 2268101

Kerala's first Ayurvedic resort and also the repeat winner of the state's competition to find the best. Its cottages and traditional Keralite houses set in coconut groves are dotted over a steep hill above the beach.

If you want more peace, and the use of an oyster-shaped pool with whirlpool, stay at sister resort, Manaltheeram.

15 doctors and 90 therapists work in 48 treatment rooms at the shared Ayurvedic facilities. British-based holistic health and beauty therapist, Bharti Vyas leads 10-day retreats here, or join a yoga retreat with uplifting American vinyasa flow teacher, Shiva Rea. Somatheeram is probably the most amoung popular beach resorts in Kovalam.

Friday's Place Poovar

Poover Island
Mob: 0 9744161636

Remote, watery eco-hideaway with three solar-powered teak and mahogany cottages and a spectacular Ark-like 'Tsnami House'. It is set on an isolated sandbank amid rows of palms and hibiscus, frangipani and bougainvillea.

The resort is run by British couple Mark and Sujeewa, Sujeewa is a Sivananda yoga teacher and reiki healer. Food is fresh, with fruit for breakfast, thali lunches, fish and chicken suppers. This beach resort in kovalam offers kayaking and temple tours.

Surya Samudra Beach Garden

Pulinkudi
Near Kovalam
Tel: 0471 2267333

Sitting high on a rocky bluff between Kovalam and Kannyukamari, this elite beach resort in Kovalam boasts a world-class spa and offers Ayurveda treatments from its beautifully designed complex.

There are just 21 traditional Keralite cottages, with 4-posters, big plantation chairs and open-air bathrooms, spread over 9 hectare of jackfruit, bamboo, cinnamon, mango, frangipani, palm and hibiscus trees.

The Octopus restaurant serves great North and South Indian specials and Western food. Excellent Sivananda yoga on a one-on-one basis at an open air pavilion overlooking the sea.

Vivanta by Taj-Kovalam

GV Raja Vattapara Road
Kovalam
Tel: 0471 2487733

Appealing and luxurious Balinere - flavoured complex set in 4 hectre of tropical grounds with superb views of the sea, infinity pool, excellent spa, gym and wi-fi. A luxurious beach resort in Kovalam

Coconut Bay Beach Resort

Mulloor Tel: 0471 2480566

Spacious stone villas on beach, good restaurant, friendly. Secluded location in traditional fishing village. Recommended.

Bethsaida Hermitage

Pulinkudi Tel: 0471 2267554

Eco-friendly stone and bamboo beach cabanas surrounded by coconut groves. Profits support a variety of charitable projects. Family-friendly, informal and unpretentious.

Lagoona Davina

Pozhikkara Beach North of Kovalam Tel: 0471 2380049

Modest but chic place on the backwaters between Trivandrum and Kovalam run by the chic and idiosyncratic Davina. An island of sand separates the river bank from the wider sea.

Small library, plenty of cushion-strewn seats cut into the seawall to read the books in, and a small shop selling hybrid Indian-western clothes.

Tasty and healthy food, orthopaedic beds, your own 'houseboy', excellent yoga and massage and jasmine piles fragrance your room at night. But the water pressure is iffy, the internet doesn't work, lights fail, rooms are modest (fan only) and the pool's a bit small. Popular with independent female travellers.

Holiday Home Resort

Beach Road Tel: 0471 2480497

Cute cottages amid a tree-filled, shady garden with hammocks to laze in. Serene location 10 mins' walk from beach. Excellent, friendly service. Camping, with own tent, is possible. Recommended.

Molly's

Samudra Beach Road Kovalam Tel: 0471 3262099

Two storey hotel set around a pool. Each room has a terrace overlooking a jungly thicket of coconuts. The restaurant, which serves Mexican, European, Indian and tandoor food, is very popular.

Maharaju Palace

Lighthouse Beach Tel: 0471 2485320

Beautiiul, shady garden setting, quiet and set back from beach. 6 very clean rooms inside and outside cottages. Warm staff, very popular.

Hotel Neelakanta

Lighthouse Beach Tel: 0471 248 0321

Large airy rooms with big bathrooms facing the beach, TV, balcony. The hotel owns Fusion Restaurant next door.

Kailasam Yoga and Ayurveda Holidays

Kovalam Tel: 0471 2484018

Peaceful oasis set up by a yoga teacher and Ayurvedic physician. Yoga classes held in tiled areas under coconut-leaf roofs, surrounded by trees and open-sided to catch the sea breezes. Price includes all yoga classes.

More Beach Resorts in Kovalam

Rockholm

Lighthouse Road Tel: 0471 2480406

Very pleasant hotel owned by an Anglo-lndian family with cheerful staff. Good-sized rooms, with balcony, in a wonderful position just above the lighthouse. Direct access to beach. Good terrace restaurant.

Blue Sea

Beach Road Mob: 0 9349991992

Large rooms (with TV, private porch) in curious circular towers in large private garden with pool. Cheaper but shabby and overpriced rooms inside family room. Peacefully located 10 minutes walk from beach.

Coco Land

Between Lighthouse Beach and Hawha Beach
Tel: 0471 6533591

Bamboo huts and 'luxury' wood cottages in a little garden set back from the beach. Cottages boast TVs, a/c and hot water. Friendly management. Recommended.

Sea Flower Beach Resort

Great location right on the shore. Good-sized rooms with decent bath and balcony. Helpful staff, good value, big discounts for long stays.

Hotel Greenland

Lighthouse Beach
Tel: 0471 2486442

Frendly female manger has a variety of spotlessly clean rooms set amongst her floweiy garden. All have porch, fly screens, four have kitchenettes and TV. Cheaper rooms are excellent value. Recommended.

Shirley's Beach White House

Between Lighthouse Beach and Hawah Beach
Mob: 0 9447224902

The sea-facing rooms here are a cut-above other hotels in this price range. All are breezy and painted a cheerful blue, some with balcony. The owner is a wealth of knowledge. Quiet location, very good value. Recommended.

Green Valley Cottages

Between Lighthouse Beach and Hawah Beach
Tel: 0471 248 0636

Spick and span simple rooms with fly-screens and sit-outs. Good value.

Wilson Tourist Home

Behind Neelkanta
Tel: 0471 2480052

Clean, quiet rooms with bath, balcony, fan, some with a/c. Open-air restaunant, pretty garden, helpful service. Recommended.

Hotel Rani

Lighthouse Beach
Mob: 0 9995566039

Basic, well maintained rooms that open out onto a communal veranda. Friendly owner.

Usha's

Lighthouse Beach
Tel: 0471 2790563

Good little cheapie in the winding alleys behind the beach. Basic rooms, all with bath and fly-screens. Run by the cordial Usha and her family.