Getaway Beach Resort Kovalam

The staff were the one bright spot: courteous and helpful. The rest was disappointing. Our two-bedroom suite didn't feel worth what we paid, with stained mirrors, holes in the walls, lizards in the room, shabby furniture and old showers that didn't work properly. We were told it was a heritage room, which may explain some of that, but it still wasn't acceptable. The website photos are misleading. The hotel is very small and, to me, more like a 2-star place. The way to the room was dingy, the restaurant had the feel of a dhaba, and the pool was more like a kids' pool. Food was average, and breakfast was à la carte with very few choices. I wouldn't recommend it.

The sunset over the sea at Kovalam Beach made the meal especially memorable, and it was a lovely spot for a quiet evening. Mr. Renjith looked after us throughout, while the General Manager, Mr. Monoj, was very polite and personally checked that we were happy with the food. The dishes were all well cooked and tasty, with North Indian spices and a gentle South Indian touch. I particularly liked the sautéed vegetables, hot and sour chicken soup, and the prawn dishes.

As a driver travelling with a family, I had nowhere to stay and no parking facilities. Some staff were also very rude. The facilities don't match the price, so people should think carefully before booking here. My experience at this Kovalam resort wasn't good.

Our family suite had two very large bedrooms, each with a bathroom and a small balcony, plus a lovely view of the sea and palm trees. Housekeeping changed towels and linen regularly, and the restaurant and kitchen staff were kind and accommodating. Everyone was friendly, helpful, and quick to handle requests with a smile. The hotel is well located near the beach, though there's no private beach or direct access. Breakfast tasted good but had limited choice and was served at the table rather than as a buffet. The pool is quite small and doesn't look like the photos on booking sites. The Wi-Fi signal was strong and stable, but every device needed its own username and password, which became frustrating for five of us. The hotel could use a serious makeover. To us it felt more like a 3- or 4-star hotel than a resort. We understood it's part of the Raviz Hotels group, and if it aims to be a luxury chain, there's work to do, though the place has potential.