Krishnatheeram Ayur Holy Beach Resorts

The location and views are serene and scenic, with direct access to the sea and beaches close by. If you want to stay on North Varkala cliff and see the water all day, it’s a great spot. The resort is well maintained, and its sea-facing pool is a standout among the nearby resorts. Rooms are a little pricey, though the location makes up for that. Service and food weren’t good, so I’d skip the food since there are plenty of cafes nearby.

The Ayurveda center was a highlight for me. The treatments and massages were very professional, relaxing, and done with care, and practicing in the ocean-view yoga shala was unforgettable. Our room was spacious, air-conditioned, had hot water, and was very well cared for. The Deluxe Premium room with ocean view was especially stunning. Krishnathera itself is beautiful and well maintained, and the staff were kind, welcoming, attentive, and happy to help. We felt comfortable and looked after from the start. It’s a lovely place to relax in Varkala, with high-quality accommodation and wellness services.

The location near the beach and cliff is the one thing this property has going for it. At ₹8,000 a night, it feels like a budget three-star hotel charging luxury rates. Our mini-fridge was broken when we arrived, though they replaced it on the second day. Housekeeping came only on request on day two, and basic supplies weren’t replenished. We had to ask for fresh drinking water, something even small hotels usually provide. One morning our balcony was a mess, with food scraps from other rooms, including porotta and curry, dragged around by crows or dogs. It was revolting. The outdoor dining area needs netting too: crows kept swooping down to take food from nearby plates, making meals stressful and unhygienic. Breakfast was minimal and below what I’d expect at this price. Coffee and omelets were made to order, but took far too long. The Wi-Fi was unavailable most of the time. This didn’t seem to be a general connectivity problem, since the reception Wi-Fi provided with a separate paid login was very fast.

The North cliff location is convenient, with easy access to restaurants. That’s the only positive. This is a typical budget hotel advertised as a good property because of where it is, and it isn’t a three-star stay. The room felt greasy underfoot as soon as we walked in. It was unclean, the walls were cracked, and there were ants on the electric kettle. The linen was stained, and the washroom towels felt very old. Breakfast choices were limited and the food was mediocre. Staff weren’t welcoming, and the room rates don’t match the service you get. It was the worst experience of our Kerala trip. If you care about personal hygiene, this place isn’t for you. Avoid it and look for better options in Varkala.