Mookambika Beach House

I stayed at Santa Mari twice on separate trips, once in a dorm and later in a private room, and was happy with both visits. The staff were attentive and helped with local advice and my luggage, and anything I asked for was sorted out. Being just a minute from the beach put food, activities, and other facilities close by and saved me a lot of time. I also went to the lighthouse and loved the view. It was a good budget choice with breakfast included, mostly Indian dishes like dosa and chapati. On a festive day they served egg dishes too. Drinks included coffee and masala tea, and there was usually fruit, mostly bananas. I’d happily recommend this hostel 🙂.

The staff were friendly and helpful, the bed was comfortable, and the location was good. Having an open kitchen was useful too. I stayed four nights in a non-AC private room with a balcony, and found the stay average overall. The main problem was the water. Bathing water often had sand and dirt in it, so we had to wait for it to clear. There didn’t seem to be a proper filter. The bathroom was manageable, but the tap for hot water in my room was faulty and still hadn’t been fixed after I told the staff. The room also needed better upkeep. There was no wardrobe or proper place for clothes, and the table and drawer were dusty. At check-in there were no amenities in the room, not even a blanket, so I had to request things individually. Breakfast was very limited: bread, omelette, and jam. Tea came with milk if they had some, otherwise it was black tea. Water cleanliness, room maintenance, and the breakfast standards all need improvement.

This felt like a very shady place. The room and bathroom were dirty, and the sheets had stains. The view in the photos was actually from the beach, not something you could see from the hotel. There was no geyser, and the water was brown with a lot of sand. We later realized Kovalam has plenty of other good budget stays. We checked out even though we still had to pay for the room. Please be careful, as I worry about getting an infection after staying there.

The manager arranged a taxi quickly when my flight landed in the middle of the night, which I really appreciated. The manager and staff were very welcoming and helpful, and the place had a relaxed, easygoing feel. I was comfortable there and liked the simple, healthy breakfast. The bed sheets could use a small upgrade.