Red Dot Tours | Kerala Hotels | Leela Kovalam Beach Resort

Leela kovalam Beach Resort, Kovalam

Price Guide: ££

Location

Perched on a rock-face overlooking the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea, The Leela is a magnificent five-star hotel which is one of the largest in Kerala with sweeping views of the Kovalam coastline. Spread over 44 acres of land strewn with coconut palms and landscaped gardens, The Leela is an ideal holiday getaway which is conveniently located just 15 kms from Trivandrum Airport.

Introduction

Designed by Charles Correo, The Leela is an award winning swanky five-star hotel designed along the lines of an Aztec structure hugging the rocky headland and terraced right down to the beach, ensuring spectacular ocean views from most of the rooms. The stylish interiors are light and airy with Kerala’s heritage furniture blended with warm pastel shades, rose petals floating in large copper urns and glowing scented candles. Guests can choose between staying in chalets close to the beach; sea view rooms in the main building higher up on the headland; or at The Club – an exclusive self-contained boutique hotel within Leela that provides for an utterly luxurious holiday experience with its own Spa, infinity pool and restaurant. Pioneered by Captain Krishnan Nair who named the Leela hotels and resorts after his wife, their extensive chain of hotels also includes properties in Mumbai, Goa, and the magnificent Leela Palace in Bangalore. His vision of `providing the discerning traveller a memorable, warm and relaxed stay in an ambience that embraces the essence of India’ is well achieved at The Leela in Kovalam.

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Accommodation

There are 182 rooms divided into the Beach-View Wing; Pavillion Wing and the Sea View Wing. All rooms are air-conditioned with ensuite bathrooms, tea/coffee making facilities, mini-bar, electronic safe, hair dryer, IDD phone facility, satellite TV, internet access, 24 hour room service, laundry and dry cleaning, and concierge services.

Beach View Wing: 86 Superior and Deluxe rooms and suites located within the main building hugging the rock-face and terraced to provide for spectacular sea views. The main hotel lobby, restaurant, bar, games room and children’s play room is located within this same wing. The beach located downhill, can be accessed from these room via a motorized buggy.

Pavillion Wing: These are individual air-conditioned ensuite chalets located downhill by the beach. There are 18 Garden View Pavillion rooms and 22 Sea View Pavillion rooms. Guests staying here can stroll down to the beach, the Tides beach restaurant for meals or call for a buggy which will take guests to the other hotel facilities.

Sea View Wing: Also known as The Club, perched on a cliff directly overlooking the Arabian Sea, is an exquisite boutique hotel within Leela which is exclusively for Club residents only. The Club has its own private check-in and check-out facilities, butler service, living room, library, sundeck and ocean-rim infinity pool, restaurant, spa, gymnasium and stylishly designed 56 rooms and suites all with sea views. These ensuite rooms designed to provide sea views even from the bathtub, are luxurious with pillow menus, plasma screens and DVD players in addition to all the other usual facilities. This newly added wing has exquisite interiors with cascading water, timber walkways, high wooden ceilings and contemporary furnishings. Nights at The Club takes on a romantic air with the warm glow of hundreds of candles and lamps. This is a haven of luxury, tranquility and round-the-clock pampering.

Facilities

Relax with a drink at the fabulous open air Sky Bar perched on a cliff, overlooking the ocean - before you head onto a restaurant of your choice. The Terrace – with a wood-fire pizza oven and buffet set up serves traditional Kerala cuisine as well as international dishes; Tides – a beach restaurant with a dance floor and live band, serves multi-cuisine; the Pool Lounge serves light meals. There are three swimming pools that serve each of the wings and a private beach area with sun lounges. Leisure activities include floodlit tennis court, badminton, beach volleyball, jogging track, fitness centre, table tennis, cycling, game room and a well equipped children’s play room supervised by a staff member. For those wishing to immerse themselves in the ancient healing wisdom of Ayurveda, preventive and curative therapies supervised by an Ayurveda physician are offered at Divya – a tranquil, award winning wellness centre with ocean views that also offers Yoga and meditation. The Leela is also well equipped to handle special occasions including weddings and business meetings.

Excursions

Located on an extensive property, the gardens and pathways of Leela provide for ample walking. There is also an interesting heritage site on the premises – a summer palace used by the Maharaja of Travancore which unfortunately can only be viewed from the outside due to a dispute within the government Indian Tourism Development ministry. Experience the backwaters of Kerala located just 7 kms away where guests are taken on a cruise in a traditional boat. Fisherman tending to their Chinese fishing nets, Cormorants and Brahmini Kites diving down into the waters in search of their catch, rural women working at the coir mills, and the chatter of waving children as your boat passes by – all sights and sounds of the backwaters not to be missed. For those interested in traditional arts and heritage, visit the Napier Museum and the Sree Chithra Art Gallery located in the city of Trivandrum about 15 kms away.

Leela kovalam Beach Resort, Kovalam South India