Paradise Beach Resort

The hosts were really friendly and helpful, and can arrange a cab at fixed rates that you pay at the counter. Just keep in mind they don't accept cards. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants about a three-minute walk away, and the place is conveniently close to both beaches, on the way to Odayan Beach and Varkala Beach. Our deluxe family room had a queen bed, a single bed, and a table. It was a simple, clean, quiet place. The bathroom was basic, with a small mirror and no exhaust fan. Towels and toiletries were included, but nothing else was.

We stayed at Seawin Resort in Varakalla for two nights and really enjoyed the peaceful setting near the sea. It's between Cliff Beach and Black Beach, close to the Varakalla aquarium. People seem to stay here longer than usual, which didn't surprise me. The place is clean and affordable, and Mr. Mohammed Rafi was very accommodating and happy to help with anything we needed. Our room was large and comfortable, with a high ceiling and simple furniture that left plenty of room to move around. The bathtub was a delight, and there's also a kitchen where you can cook. We had a great experience.

We arrived in Varkala a few days before Christmas without a booking, so it was hard to find a room. When I saw ours, I asked the receptionist whether it had Wi-Fi reception and a hot shower. He said yes, but there was no hot water to start with, and during my cold shower the water stopped altogether. I called him, and he apologized and offered a bucket of hot water, saying Indian guests had used up the supply. The room was pricey, so I wasn't satisfied. I asked for another available room or a lower rate and spoke with the owner. He said he'd call me back, then told me the only option was a bucket shower. I said I was disappointed and planned to post an unflattering review online. He replied, “I will see that you will never enter India again, I have your passport information, I will soon be coming to the hotel and show you how are you threatening.” We left right away because we wanted nothing to do with him. I'd just left Varkala when I wrote this, and hadn't felt safe posting earlier.

The rooms were spacious and clean. Still, the website says there's a restaurant on site, but there isn't one, so you have to walk a bit to find food. It also lists TVs in the rooms, but we didn't find any, and the property is about half a kilometer from the beach. Google Maps puts the location roughly half a kilometer off.