Gateway,Varkala-IHCL SeleQtions

We booked two nights at gateway varkala during our Kerala trip. The hotel is attractive, close to the beach, and has a lovely ocean view. The staff were friendly and helpful. Service was the letdown: at the complimentary breakfast buffet, our order took more than an hour, while tables that arrived later got their meals first. I felt they may have been more courteous to foreign guests and served them ahead of us. I understand why that might happen, but we’re guests too, and everyone should be treated equally. Room service also took an hour to bring cold coffee, and I had to call twice for an update. I nearly gave up and went out to get it. No other complaints.

The view from the cliff, with sea and sky meeting at the horizon, made the atmosphere so peaceful. Gateway Varkala’s rooms were immaculate and very well maintained, and we felt cared for the whole time. Reji and Krishna were especially thoughtful, sharing local tips about when to go to the beach and recommending nearby shops and places to eat. They even helped take photos and gave us a lovely photo souvenir. We also used our Tata employee discount, which was a nice bonus. We thoroughly enjoyed the stay and will return.

We loved the care from the young, smiling staff, who brought a personal touch and typical Taj hospitality. Taj Gateway, Varkala, sits on a small hill overlooking the Arabian sea, in an old Royal palace, with lovely views, especially at sunset. It’s a good place to slow down and relax. There’s a comfortable lounge and a compact restaurant with indoor and garden seating, serving tasty food. A short walk down takes you to Varkala beach, and ancient Shetram Sri Janardhana Swamy temple is nearby. We’d gladly return for longer and highly recommend it.

The Ayurvedic treatments and massage were tempting, but the prices were far too high, so we found a local place that did a great job for much less. What we’ll remember most about Gateway Varkala is how the team helped when someone in our party was injured riding the waves. They quickly arranged a ride to the hospital, and Mr. Sudheep stayed with us the whole time, translating and guiding us calmly through everything. Back at the hotel, staff kept checking on him and making sure he was comfortable. That kindness and care meant a lot to us. A big thank you to the kitchen team, chef Sunil Kumar and Shebin, for patiently handling all our many requests. We must have been their most high-maintenance guests! We’re already looking forward to coming back.