Privasea

I loved the property in the pictures and really wanted to stay there, but dealing with Benny George was awful. When we tried to negotiate the price, he got angry and would hang up on us mid-call. I’ve travelled across India and many countries and stayed in all kinds of homestays, hotels, and resorts, but I’ve never encountered a host this arrogant. Only stay here if you’re loaded or local, because he doesn’t seem to like dealing with non-locals or anyone trying to negotiate calmly.

The place is secluded and away from the bustle, which we enjoyed. We had a good time around the stay, more than inside it. We spent three days here and liked our time in Varkala, but the accommodation left mixed feelings and didn’t feel worth the money. The rooms look cozy and great in the pictures, but the upkeep was poor. Soon after we moved in, the geyser above the lavatory broke and started pouring water. Support staff came to fix it, but it still wasn’t completely repaired. The floors became extremely slippery with just a little water, like walking on a soapy surface. The AC didn’t work as expected and smelled bad, and it even gave us throat pain. I don’t know when its filters were last changed or serviced. The food they served was dosa.

Ansaf was the highlight of our stay. He was friendly, made us feel welcome, and went out of his way to help, arranging scooter rentals and transportation, recommending places to eat, and always being there with a smile. We spent three amazing days at this secluded beach villa, away from the busy areas. It had stunning ocean views and an earthy but elegant feel. Most things were perfect, though there were intermittent power cuts and not enough backup for key power lines. It’s a must-visit villa, but I don’t think it offers good value compared with other luxury stays at the same price.

I had a really peaceful stay at Privacy in Varkala. The view is the best part: step outside the gate and the calm, beautiful beach is right there. The place felt very safe, and the host was super helpful with anything we needed. A perfect spot for quiet, comfort, and a great view.