Santa Maria - A Premium Boutique Homestay by the Sea

The sea-view room had a sapramanjam bed that gave it a royal feel, and the views were beautiful in the morning and evening. The property is peaceful, close to Shangumugham Beach, and about a mile from the airport. Bejoy and his wife took great care of everything throughout our stay. Rooms are furnished to a good standard, with antique interiors and modern bathrooms. Breakfast was great value, and Badusha is an excellent chef. The live dosa counter was a lovely touch, and the food tasted excellent, with South Indian and multi-cuisine choices. Lunch, dinner, and snacks were available on request at reasonable prices. Highly recommended for a comfortable stay.

The beach is just a few steps away, making morning and evening walks easy, and the location near the airport is a real plus. My room was clean, cozy, well maintained, and peaceful. Mr. Bijoy gave me a warm welcome, and the staff were kind, polite, and always ready to help with a smile. The home-cooked food was fresh, delicious, and comforting. Santa Maria was a great place for a calm, relaxing stay, and I'd recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

We booked this homestay days ahead and drove nearly seven hours to get there, with my wife unwell along the way. At 5 PM, Mr. Bijoy called and asked us to cancel because the current guests couldn't fly out of India and wanted to extend their stay. We were left stranded in the evening and had to scramble for another place after hours on the road. There was no help or accountability, only a request that we cancel. A confirmed booking is a commitment, and poor planning shouldn't become an emergency for guests. The guests being kept on were American, which raises serious concerns for me about preferential treatment and racial profiling. This was deeply unprofessional and showed no regard for our time or wellbeing. Travellers who value certainty and respect should think twice before booking.

We could see the sea from the property, and the beach was just a short walk away. It was quiet despite being close to the airport, and we didn't notice any aircraft noise. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the rooms were clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed. A perfect location for our arrival day.