Located about 50 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram, the tiny hamlet of Varkala is a one-of-a-kind location in terms of the geography, the culture, and the general vibes of the place. It is a small beach town that invites everyone looking for a quiet, calm, and peaceful getaway. Varkala is small enough for you to slow down substantially and still be able to explore the entire area.
It would only make sense for you to explore this place in the company of people who’ve spent a chunk of their lives in Varkala, and what better way to do so than to live in a homestay? On that note, here’s a curated list of the best beachside hotels and resorts in Varkala. Cheers!
Clafouti Beach Resort prides itself as a heritage resort in the midst of all the action that Varkala has to offer. On the outside, the resort gives you accommodations built with traditional architectural styles that are surrounded by meticulously designed and maintained patches of greenery. The best part is, the backdrop of the red cliffs surrounding the area fit in almost seamlessly with the resort.
As a guest, you get to choose between independent cottages and tile-thatched bedrooms. All rooms, including the cottages, get balconies that open up to the scenery of the sea and the coconut groves. However, the brownie point for the cottages is the typical Keralite decor. You also get access to Amruthasanjeevani, a traditional ayurvedic treatment center that is on the premises itself. If you’re the kind to get lost in a book, Clafouti offers a library to become your personal labyrinth.
Talking about the places for you to explore, Clafouti puts you in very close proximity to tourist attractions like Papanasam Beach, Vishnu Temple, Varkala Cliff, and Sivagiri.
Food Availability: There is an amazing restaurant on-site called the Sunset Beachfront Restaurant. It offers food from multiple cuisines, including the local one. However, it is renowned for international cuisine and you should definitely try it out.
Accessibility: Clafouti Heritage Beach Resort is about 4 kms away from Varkala Bus Stand as well as Varkala Railway Station. On the other hand, the airport closest to this resort is the Trivandrum International Airport, which happens to be about 47 kms away. All venues of transport are very well connected to major cities in the country.
Ideal For: Families, couples.
Pet Friendliness: Pets are not allowed on this property.
Rate: Starts from INR 1,949.
Location: Near Varkala Beach, Varkala Town.
Also Read: Best Hostels In Varkala
Elixir Beach Resort and Spa is a luxury resort right next to the Perumkulam Beach in Varkala. Now, when we say this place is luxurious, we mean it. The facade is a beautiful white building that contains all the creature comforts that you would want on a vacation.
You’re welcomed by a lawn that extends out to the beach and is embellished with hammocks, seating areas, and a huge pool. This entire area has the cliffs of Varkala that directly join the Arabian Sea serving as the backdrop. Elixir Cliff Beach Resort also has an in-house surfing school where you can learn kayaking, surfing, stand-up paddling, and of course, surfing.
Once you step inside, it’s like you’ve walked into a different world entirely. There are three types of rooms available. Their names are Jacuzzi Seaview, Deluxe Sea View, and Partial Garden View, and all of them are in suite formation. They also have large windows that either face the sea, or the garden, depending on what room you pick. Lastly, this resort has a shared working space that you can access for free and has WiFi throughout the day. So, it’s clear that Elixir will take care of your workations as well as your vacations.
Food Availability: There is a multi-cuisine restaurant on-site and it is known for having great options. However, there are a few great spots around the resort for you to explore as well. You can visit places like The Bait & Hook, InDa Café, and Clafouti to explore the food in Varkala.
Accessibility: This resort is about 35 kms away from Trivandrum International Airport and about 3 kms from Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station. You can easily get a cab from either place to come to the resort. Buses are available in the vicinity. However, they will drop you more than 15 minutes away from Elixir. So, we recommend driving yourself or hailing a cab.
Ideal For: Families, couples, solo travelers.
Pet Friendliness: This property does allow pets. There is abundant space for them to play and rest. We do recommend that all visitors talk to the resort about their pets’ needs.
Rate: Starts at INR 6,200 per night.
Location: Kolam, Varkala.
Also Read: 8 Islands In Kerala That You Must Visit
Located inside the city of Varkala, Coral Cove Beach Resort puts you close to all the action you’d want to see when in this beautiful beach town. The resort itself is a very homely building that has a large front yard, covered parking, and plenty of space to run around.
On the inside, you get an elegantly decorated resort that has individualized services for every guest, giving them the vacation that they’re looking for. You can ask the resort staff to arrange for a great ayurvedic massage or even activities like boat rides. When it comes to the rooms, you get white-walled suites with wooden floors, warm lighting, and huge windows facing the beach right in front of the resort.
The best part is, Coral Cove lets you rent cycles on a day-to-day basis so that you can explore the town. This is especially beneficial to the guests as you’ve got places like Aaliyarakkm Beach, Janardhana Swamy Temple, and the Varkala Cliffs in very close proximity. So, you can actually make a day out of going out and just exploring these natural wonders.
Food Availability: There is a restaurant on-site but it has very limited options on the menu. You can check out places like Royal Darbar Restaurant, Café Meraki, and Juicy Bar for a taste of the rather delectable food Varkala has to offer.
Accessibility: The closest railway station to this property is the Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station, which happens to be about 3 kms away from the property. If you’re coming in by air, you’ll have to land at Trivandrum International Airport, which is about 20 kms away. You have buses and cabs actively traveling to the area.
Ideal For: Families, groups, couples.
Pet Friendliness: Pets are not allowed on this property.
Rate: Starts from INR 1,000 per night.
Location: Varkala Beach, Varkala.
Also Read: Best Heritage Walks In India
Kerala Bamboo House is a budget resort on the cliffs of Varkala that embodies the traditional way of life. As the name suggests, the form of accommodation in this place is bamboo cottages and everything around it is placed to enhance the experience of living in Varkala.
As you enter, you’ll find yourself walking on a paved sandy path that takes you through a myriad of colorful flowering trees to which the cottages serve as the perfect backdrop. While one side of the resort looks at a street full of pretty houses and other beach-town things, the other side looks at cafés that line the cliffs, giving it a very unique vibe.
The resort has a total of 24 cottages, all of which have wooden furniture, an attached balcony, and an attached bathroom. As a guest at Kerala Bamboo House, you also have the option of using the ayurvedic spa that is on-site. However, with direct entry to the beach, we doubt you’ll spend a lot of time in your room anyway.
Food Availability: There is no information available about a restaurant on-site. However, you have places like Darjeeling Café, Café Italiano, Sun Rise, and Tibetan Restaurant and German Bar in close proximity.
Accessibility: Varkala Railway Station is less than 4 kms away from Kerala Bamboo House. On the other hand, the airport closest to this resort is the Trivandrum International Airport, which happens to be about 47 kms away. All venues of transport are very well connected to major cities in the country. Once you get to the town, you do have buses and cabs plying to the area. However, the closest bus stand is a considerable distance away. So, we do recommend hailing a cab.
Ideal For: Groups, solo travelers.
Pet Friendliness: Pets are not allowed on this property.
Rate: Starts at INR 1,500 per night.
Location: North Cliff, Kurakkanni, Varkala.
Also Read: 1 Day Walking Tour Of Chennai: Best Places To Cover
One of the leading cottage-resorts in Varkala, Maadathil Cottages is a pretty serene and simple place to hunker down in this beach town. The entire property has very traditional vibes, although all the amenities are fairly modern and border on spoiling the guests.
As you enter, you’ll see 12 traditional Kerala-style bungalows that are stitched together with paved walkways and patches of grass covering the rest of the ground. The bungalows themselves have en-suite bathrooms, wooden furnishings, and enough windows for you to have light flowing in as long as the sun’s out. The attention to detail in the cottages’ design is commendable, with intricate carvings and golden accents.
That being said, the on-site restaurant sets the perfect mood for a romantic dinner. It is open-air and the resort will arrange a candle-lit dinner if you ask for it. This restaurant can be reached by taking a short walk from the cottages, which takes you on a trail that is surrounded by coconut trees and has hammocks and other seating areas arranged for you to relax.
Maadathil Cottages puts you in close proximity to places like Kappil Lake, Varkala Cliff, and Janardhana Swami Beach. So, you can actually choose to go where all the action is or disconnect from the whole world.
Food Availability: There is a great restaurant inside the resort itself. However, if you’re in the mood to explore a little more of the cuisine that this tiny town has to offer, you can visit places like The Bait & Hook, Darjeeling Café, or InDa Café.
Accessibility: This resort is about 39 kms away from Trivandrum International Airport and about 3.5 kms away from Varkala-Sivagiri Railway Station. You can easily get a cab to come to the resort, which is the best way to get there.
Ideal For: Families, solo travelers.
Pet Friendliness: Pets are not allowed on this property.
Rate: Starts at INR 3,360 per night.
Location: Odayam Beach, Varkala.
Also Read: 6 Of The Best Offbeat Beaches In India
Summing Up
This tiny town is the ideal place for a relaxing getaway. It has beaches, cafés, temples, a lot of natural beauty, and a lot more serenity. It is only fair that you stay at a place that enhances these qualities. The hotels and resorts in this blog are the ones that are located in the best spots in Varkala. We do recommend you research the hotels you like before making a reservation.
Which Is The Best Resort In Varkala?
While there are a lot of beautiful spots on Varkala, resorts like Maadathil Cottages and Clafouti Beach Resort take the cake when it comes to the amenities available and the vibes they set.
What Is Varkala Famous For?
The two things that Varkala is most famous for are the natural springs in the area that are said to have medicinal properties and the Janardhana Swami Temple which has been around for almost 2000 years.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Varkala?
The best time to visit this coastal town is the period between October and February. The brunt of the monsoons generally passes by then and the temperatures are low and pleasant.
Is Varkala Worth Visiting?
Known as the best kept secret of Kerala, Varkala has a beach that is immensely beautiful and doesn't see a lot of crowd. The beautiful clean waters and the cleanliness all around make it absolutely worth visiting.
Is Alcohol Allowed in Varkala?
Alcohol is banned in the town of Varkala.
How Much Time Is Enough For Varkala?
Given the size of the town, even a single day is enough if you're planning on skimming through the tourist spots. However, in case you want to experience the town at its best, we recommend staying there for 2-3 days.
Can We See The Sunrise In Varkala?
Varkala Beach has great views of the sunrise as well as the sunset!
Is Varkala Safe For Solo-Travelers?
Varkala has gained popularity amongst backpackers in recent times. Due to this, more and more amenities are being built around people traveling light, or traveling alone.
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