Niraamaya Retreats, Surya Samudra, Kovalam

Niraamaya Retreats, Surya Samudra, Kovalam descritpion

Niraamaya Retreats, Surya Samudra, Kovalam presents romantic seaside getaways in Trivandrum, with its private beach and beautiful sea-facing infinity pool. Pampering spa treatments can be enjoyed at the Niramaya Spa while soothing yoga session can be experienced on a platform overlooking the sea.
Spacious rooms are fitted with terracotta roofs, wooden pillars and tiled floors, invoking a dreamy luxurious feel. Overlooking the sea or gardens, air-conditioned rooms come with a flat-screen TV and minibar.
Niraamaya Retreats is a 20-minute drive from Vizhiniam Beach and 40-minute drive from Trivandrum International Airport. It is an hour's drive from Technopark.
Guests can arrange day trips at the tour desk. There is also a gift shop and a 24-hour front desk.
Guests can head to Cafe Samsara, an all-day dining restaurant, to relish multi-cuisine delights. Gourmet seafood grills can be enjoyed at Essesnce, the specialty restaurant. they can also enjoy the beautiful sunsets at Madira Bar while sipping on sundowners.

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Facilities of Niraamaya Retreats, Surya Samudra, Kovalam

Outdoors ：Outdoor Pool (all year) | Grounds

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Activities ：Spa | Massage | Private Beach Area

Food & Drink ：Bar | Restaurant with Dining Menu

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

General ：Newspapers | Safe | Air Conditioning

Languages Spoken ：Hindi | English

Reviews for Niraamaya Retreats, Surya Samudra, Kovalam

Review 1：The windows in our room had no glass so if you had aircon on and windows closed than you have no day light or view. You feel you are sitting in a large coffin.

Review 2：Excellent location overlooking Arabian sea. Beautiful beach with privacy. Best Spa I ever had. Ramesh gave Pada Abhyan (Marshal massage with legs) which was my first experience.

Review 3：Lunch first day, stomach revolted against cucumber and cheese sandwich fingers so spent second and last day confined to my room. Suggest for future credibility you use proper cheese rather than a contaminated concoction. Therefore for me no value for my money. Access to pool and dining facilities from the Rock Garden rooms quite hazardous particularly at night

Review 4：Great location and facilities. Rooms very luxurious. Staff very friendly and helpful

Review 5：The first set of bedding we had was very old and worn and uncomfortable. However- housekeeping changed it as soon as we complained without any problems.

Review 6：Beautiful property in a wonderful location. The breakfast was excellent.

Review 7：There was little peace as there were too many children; both around the property, in the pool and in the restaurants. There were also many staff interruptions to our room when we first arrived, in and around the property. There were also renovation works (which should have been highlighted prior to booking (or the price should be reduced to compensate). Room was not appropriate for a couple as a family was located directly above causing much disruption. There was only one seat in the apartment lounge area. TV was positioned in incorrect location. The Spa: There was little consultation of our personal requirements even though we booked Ayurveda treatments every day. The bar at the lower level of the pool was lacking personality and service. There were insufficient umbrellas. Greater varieties of fresh mocktails would be a great improvement. The 'Grill' restaurant requires a refurbishment to provide a more 'unique' dining experience.

Review 8：The grounds were lovely. The Yoga class and location fabulous. The staff, willing to please. The infinity pool was lovely (however can do with some modifications)

Review 9：One friend did not like the sound of the sea at night, when trying to sleep, but two of us loved it.

Review 10：The rooms are little cottages dotted on a hillside, overlooking the sea. You sleep in a four poster bed with the sound of the sea crashing onto rocks below. Your bathroom is outside, but totally private. You have your own terrace with chairs and table overlooking gardens or the sea/beach. Nice well kept gardens add a sense of class. Staff were excellent, accommodating and keen to make sure the stay was excellent. The food in the restaurant was very good. The spa looked great but we didn't get a chance to check it out. The attached photo is not doctored and was taken on an iPhone 4s on the way to breakfast.

Review 11：The hotel is in a beautiful setting with lovely views and grounds. The staff are very helpful and provide excellent service no matter the task. Food was delicious. All in all a great place to stay.

Review 12：Terrible spa booking experience, very disorganised and building works in spa with overpowering smell of varnish (from floors). Terrible service at breakfast one day but better the next. Mosquito's are bad here

Review 13：Fabulous location and facilities. Amazing beach and bungalow. Free yoga and stunning beach

Review 14：Went off season, and wasn't told in advance of construction going on. Did their best to make it up to us.

Review 15：The food was excellent. The staff really accommodating. Beautiful upgraded room. Ayurveda spa excellent.

Review 16：Nothing really.

Review 17：The place is magical. At the end of the island, with amazing banyan trees, stone carved street lamps, fabulous food, top class resort facilities and superb staff.

Review 18：Food wasn't very great, and there is a lot of climbing and walking to get from one place to the other, though the have golf cars to ferry one around.

Review 19：The location, the ultra friendly and helpful staff, wonderful spa facilities . A brilliant experience

Review 20：Bad service - unresponsive reception staff - spa staff not well versed with range of treatments offered - lack of coordination on overpriced in house trips offered -constant confusion amongst staff members -no personalised service despite advertising themselves as a retreat

Review 21：- Nice private beach

Review 22：Staff very helpful and friendly, especially the pool staff, food was good, place was kept very clean had a lovely massage don't know if it would be the same experience if the place was full?

Review 23：The staff are fantastic - any request was sorted within minutes. Everyone was so polite and friendly. Staying there for a few nights meant that we soon got to know a few familiar faces. Each room is individually decorated so has plenty of charm.

Review 24：Overpriced spa menu .. The main highlight was when I stepped on a rat killing it while using the outdoor shower(documented).. When I complained nothing was done .. I expected atleast an apology .. I'm a really easy going person but if I had my family I would have demanded another room or else I would have left

Review 25：Location ... Greenery ... Beach ... The food .. In general the whole atmosphere

Review 26：it was not my unit which i have booked. then they said its not available when i keep asking they gave me the right one. next time keep the photos for the room which u booked this help me to approve it infront of hotel

Review 27：my feelings when i have forced to deal with the nature life only. then after 24 hours i didnt like to go back to city life.

Review 28：The spa treatments look a little overpriced for what they are at the end. You really pay for what you get.

Review 29：Very nice spot, Invinity Pool, very friendly stuff. Very clean, nice interior, we stayed at the Newest rockgarden rooms (rg5-9) the Chef cook was really making us food we like. The ayurvedic doctor was very friendly and helpful. Staff was quick.

Review 30：The retreat itself coupled with the staff made it a must do again for us . The aryuvedic massage therapy seems to set the mood in the direction of tranquility

Review 31：The Staff need to be aware of what is going on and not just say Yes to Everything then forget.A mistake by them cost us our Flights back to London.

Review 32：Fantastic setting ,Great Food and very Friendly.

Review 33：Quite poor bathroom facilities with virtually no warm/hot water when needed! (can recommend you a study visit to the tents at the Oberoi resort near the the Rajasthani national Park). No minibar (it was not even announced!) and not a very good choice of beverages in restaurants/room-service, No TV and radio.Very poor WIFI connections, long distances between the different localities. Very little choice in the restaurants (except the few south Indian dishes, which were excellent)ing, boating, sport-fishing, especially Deep sea Fishing! Almost no out door activities outside the resort and a very few activities inside the resort (except if you want something more than just being bagged with use of different oils!).On the whole, we would still like to come back!

Review 34：Location, the privacy, the bathing and sun-bathing facilities, good fine dining facilities. A warm welcome and equally warm check-out.Excellent, attentive and very helpful staff.

Review 35：You have to pay extra for airport transfer, it's not much considering room price but it's still triple outside gate price.

Review 36：It was peaceful resort with great facilities and activities. Spa and sunset yoga was great experience. Awesome time, when I am in Kerala next time I will book it again.

Review 37：A lot of kids, however it was the holiday period.

Review 38：Beautiful boutique resort with 5 star facilities. Facing a lovely private beach. Amazing little pool with great views. Great spa. Nice little gym. Reasonably priced food in resort. Friendly and helpful staff made the stay extra special. A piece of paradise!

Review 39：One of the best resort to stay in kovalam...an absolut paradise. This place is for total relax and to be connected with nature. Waking up looking the sea was just amazing. We spent 5 days at Niraamaya and wish it never ended.The view are stunning and everything about the resort makes you feel on holiday. Staff are friendly and extremely attentive...we couldnt ask for a better service. Regarding the spa they have a wide range of massage but strongly recommend to book them in advace because they can be quiet busy. We loved it here and we will definitely come back in the near future.

Review 40：Expensive, rooms dark and small. No available treatments after being told we didn't need to book them prior to our stay.

Review 41：location, food and good service

Review 42：We travelled with another family (4rooms) and despite having 2 rooms confirmed with Booking.com for us, when we turned up they said they didn't have the booking. Booking.com confirmed that they did. They then tried to convince us to take the neighbouring property which was horrible as they were totally booked. Felt like a total scam and we ended up having to find accommodation on our own at a higher price and away from our friends. Seemed like a scam...

Review 43：The staff at reception were very slow checking in and out. The could not find key to our room so a complete pain hanging around. Check out had to wait as well. Albeit we had rain, the beds were damp. Did not feel it had a feel of a top quality hotel.

Review 44：The setting and location of the hotel was lovely. The food and the staff in the restaurants was excellent. Great beach and good spa.

Review 45：Very few drawers in the main room due to the antique furniture style, so had to store stuff in the bathroom

Review 46：Great location with an almost 180 degree view of the Arabian Sea, excellent staff who take great care and greet very well. Beautiful sunset views.

Review 47：As much as I did really enjoy my stay there, I was surprised to find somany children there when the hotel is described as a retreat. It'snot the case. The pool area was crowded with children, we even had kidsrunning around the restaurant and around our table whilst having ourdinner!!!! Not ideal when we were looking forward to the calm andpeaceful oasis after our hectic trip around india - as described in thehotel write up. What I would suggest, as so many have also commented onthe children is perhaps having a child area/pool? Or dropping the'Retreats' from the hotel name as it is misleading. Also, havingspent more time around India and at Varkala beach before we arrived atNiraamaya, it's fair to say the hotel do severely charge over theaverage for food/drinks/taxi. E.g we paid 1600 rs to get fromVarkala beach to Niraamaya, this is over 50km. We asked on our last dayhow much it would cost for airport transfer. We were told normallyit's over 2000rs but they would charge us 1400rs. Trivandrum airportis approx 18km from Niraamaya! Having asked why so expensive compared towhat I've paid a week earlier they bought the cost down to 750rs inctax. I felt really let down that after paying £200 a night for a roomthey would still then try and inflate prices. Really unfair anddisappointing. Lost a little respect for them after this. And finally,bed sheets and towels were always stained. Clean linen and towels shouldbe a must whenever you're staying especially a 5* retreat. I mustsay, the style of the accommodation, the access to a lovely beach andsun bathing facilities did make our stay enjoyable but if the otherthings were rectified it would be perfect! I'd have a look at otherplaces before booking if you are looking for some ambience. Inhindsight, we would have stayed in Varkala longer.

Review 48：The hotel itself really is lovely and unique. Loved the wooden bungalowand outdoor bathroom. There is access to a private beach (which thepublic do also have access too) that was beautiful, it was quiet andclean. We managed to have the beach to ourselves on the last day whichwas bliss. The food is very good with an excellent complimentarybreakfast available.

Review 49：-not enough food choices... same menu for 4 days can get very old quickly. -no chairs or facilities on beach -seemed to cater mostly to families; lack of social activities (bar; entertainment; etc) for couples

Review 50：-room was great -view was awesome -service was good

Review 51：We loved our stay here, the food the room,location,every day we got smiles from all the staff nothing was too much trouble. surprised us with a lovely cake on our wedding anniversary and helped too make the day really special.I would recommend this hotel to anyone who enjoys good food good service and a friendly vibe. thankyou again for a great stay,hope to return in the future.

Review 52：Nothing!

Review 53：The staff were so friendly and helpful - the services were excellent, especially the Spa. Great massages, yoga classes to the crashing of the waves, and even an Astrologer was arranged for us. I must say he was exceptionally wise. The food was delicious and plentiful and the resort was peaceful with sublime views of the Arabian sea - thanks to the room upgrade we were kindly given. Overall, it was really 'just lovely' from every perspective and we cant wait to go back.

Review 54：We like everything.

Review 55：Excellent service.Very good spa.nice and friendly stuff.

Review 56：No glass window in the room. You feel that your are in a large coffin when aircon is on and all windows are shut.

Review 57：Location, Spa and beach.

Review 58：Mil

Review 59：Very friendly and hospitable staff . The resort is excellent in every way for a bit of R and R !

Review 60：The tax is very high compared to any similar facility worldwide.

Review 61：Location, cleanliness, staff, food

Review 62：Nothing

Review 63：Everything especially the food.

Review 64：Location was beautiful

Review 65：Location

Review 66：Very nice property. Beautiful location. Good staff.

Review 67：No compliants

Review 68：Room is beautiful

Review 69：the insects at evening time.

Review 70：the location, the types of messages and yoga, the facilities and very nice people.

Review 71：poor connectivity with Wi-fly

Review 72：private beach, food and staff

Review 73：The resort was pure luxury, staff and surroundings were simply perfect! Would definitely recommend.

Review 74：It was the perfect place to relax and to enjoy time together. The beach, the pool and the houses(rooms) were just to good to be true.

Review 75：Spa not well organised Poor treatments

Review 76：Food excellent Setting beautiful accommodation excellent

Review 77：Mosquitos!

Review 78：View is outstanding - the staff were motivated to please at all times plus the food was to die for!

Review 79：Ambience n serenity !

Review 80：Wires hanging out walls in bathroom Not enough water to fill jacussi Poor toiletries Give bottled water to non Indian travellers

Review 81：Place is awesome, relaxing, food is excellent, staffs are friendly. Will definitely be back.

Review 82：Late breakfast Not many options in menu

Review 83：Location Private beach Cottage design Staff

Review 84：I loved the ambience,the privacy, the peace n the calm. It's beautiful... A piece of heaven.

Review 85：The atmosphere, staff, facilities, food and location are great! The room is clean and exclusive and the food at the resturants is delicious.

Review 86：too much control in beach to get near the water

Review 87：environment

Review 88：Restaurant , food and its service

Review 89：Location , friendly staff , swimming pool

Review 90：Room cleaning could have been better .

Review 91：Divine luxury - staff did everything to ensure our stay was good.

Review 92：Trying to get guests to pay extra for Budweiser rather than kingfisher at nearly double the price

Review 93：Beach and views were a mini paradise

Review 94：nothing

Review 95：sky open washroom beautiful sea view

Review 96：There was no signboard on road for the destination, it took us time to reach the place. Staffs are new and don't have many idea about menu and all. liquor menu doesn't include everything e.g. whiskey, some cocktails but if you ask particularly you will get. I was supposed get cashback of 922 RS, which I didn't get till now (supposed to get by last month itself.)

Review 97：Atmosphere

Review 98：Everyone is smiling and say yes, however sometimes it takes ages to get what you ask for - even if you ask for a plate and knife to eat your own fruit. Often technical issues with internet, so you can't use it. Beach beautiful, however due to waves it's unlikely you will be able to swin in the see. 10-15 min drive to the city centre, so you either stay in the hotel or you have to take a taxi.

Review 99：Fantastic surrounding - beautiful garden, beach, views, nature. Very nice, big room with a nice balkony and nice view. Very quiet. Good good food.

Review 100：This is not a five star resort. I would give it FOUR STARS. I have stayed at the Taj and Leela in Kovalam and Niraamaya does not meet the criteria for a five star rating. The restaurant food is bland and monotonous.The bed sheets were worn out and my mother complained about the smell.

Review 101：The location is fabulous.

Review 102：Music from the restaurant on loop - Jolene 20 times?

Review 103：Beautiful setting Great pool Friendly staff Excellent massages Top chef - with that many pleats in his hat, he sure can cook an egg!

Review 104：Nothing !

Review 105：The layout of facility and the finer details in the design of the landscapes, the rooms, the dining areas, swimming pool, gym. spa facilities, etc etc were of very high standard & added to the overall wonderful relaxed ambience. The staff, in all areas, reflected the same excellent standards & friendliness to ensure guests thoroughly enjoyed their stay.

Review 106：What a beautiful setting. We stayed in the Cinnamon cottage which had a separate seating area, an outdoor (and in door) shower and wonderful views of the beach. The good was very good and the staff were lovely. 5* and highly recommended.

Review 107：There was a small shortage of sunbeds as the hotel got busier which resulted in people rising early to reserve beds with towels - reminiscent of a mediocre European resort rather than an exclusive hotel. The staff member did his utmost to look after everyone, but the hotel should really invest in a few more loungers during busy periods.

Review 108：Absolutely stunning location with beautiful sea views. Staff were really accommodating, friendly and made us feel really welcome. The food was particularly delicious with a good selection and super fresh seafood every day. In comparison with other similarly priced hotels that we stayed in, this was head and shoulders above the rest from the second you walked in the door, until the moment you left.

Review 109：Location and silence was superb. 2 private beaches, the rock-cut swimming pool and the completely nature-friendly constructions were a treat to watch. Staff was very friendly and went out of their way to help.

Review 110：- Too friendly personnel :-) - Extremely expensive restaurant with no alternative within 25 km. Lobster price 5 rupees per gram of raw weight! - Everything in the resort is extremely expensive: taxi from airport to hotel costs 600 rupees, but hotel taxi in opposite direction is 2000 rupees and again you don’t have chance to find alternative taxi. - Excursions offered by resort are not real tours but just expensive taxi service: there is no guide but only driver who delivers you to the place and wait in the car while you alone go to the palace or temple. No comments or recommendations. - Water in the swimming pool is very hazy. - External block of bungalow air conditioner mounted on the same basement with building and makes very loud noise. - Electrical supply system is not adjusted and time to time become overloaded which cause power shut off in whole bungalow. It restarts Wi-Fi, air conditioner, etc. In general it wouldn’t be so bad if it wouldn’t be 5 stars resort with triple prices.

Review 111：- Green and nice territory. - Good facilities in bungalow, including comfortable bed and other furniture, air conditioner and good water flow in the shower, etc. - Great private beach with bright ocean water. - Tasty and various dishes in the restaurant. - Friendly personnel.

Review 112：Rooms and bathroom in need of a spruce up and sea view cottages are quite small. Cost overall is not comparable with other resorts in their class, being overly expensive. Frequent power cuts and loss of wifi and cable tv, could have better back up such as a generator kicking in.

Review 113：Great location, food and chef exceptional. Staff are excellent and will go the extra mile, delivering outstanding customer service across the board.

Review 114：The menu choice at restuarant was limited and expensive compared to other Indian Hotels The beech is too rough to swim in Limited sea views from the room, with price you would expect sea views

Review 115：The rooms and resort were of very high standard. The staff always tried to do more

Review 116：Too steep steps for the elderly & at night seems too remote from other facilities. Lack of Hotel feel & could improve on Resturant food menu. NOT as shown in the Website.

Review 117：Location is very good. Staff is quite helpful but some not able to communicate in English.

Review 118：I stayed 3 night in the resort and they told there is apakage which Idid not have it as I did not book for it by your website My suggestionto mention the package in booking .com Thanks

Review 119：I like everything

Review 120：The access to the retreat is not good. It is not easily located.

Review 121：The Staff is very friendly and courteous. The room was vey nice and the location is excellent.

Review 122：From the second we arrived we felt completely welcome and were greeted with a delicious welcome coconut drink. Throughout our stay the staff were absolutely delightful. They were warm, friendly, helpful and professional. The grounds are just incredible. The pool, private beach, our room, the bathroom and outdoor shower. I could go on and on! The restaurant food was absolutely delicious and the restaurant staff were, again, just wonderful. The spa was beautiful and calming and our treatments were great. We did yoga in the morning on the pavillion, by the sea, with the waves crashing and the fishermen singing their beautiful traditional songs. They are private classes and we were both beginners but had the most glorious instructor who we will never forget. We had an experience far beyond what we could have imagined or hoped for. I would THOUROUGHLY recommend this hotel to anyone.

Review 123：The only thing which was not to my taste was the evening dinner performances. At the same time I saw other guests enjoying it.

Review 124：I loved this place. We felt like we had arrived in paradise. The place and the people where genuine. It seemed to us that the staff really loved their workplace and this was how they where so caring. Even folding the towels in a different style every day.

Review 125：Besides the hotel there isn't much else to do in walking distance.It's great if you want complete relaxation on the beach, otherwisecan be a bit isolating. Nearby kovalam town isn't the most charmingseaside town.

Review 126：Fantastic hotel, with its own private beach- having travelled throughIndia this is a rarity. Incredibly accommodating staff. A great way toget away from it all and relax

Review 127：Despite the environment, a certain lack of privacy. Maintenance and grounds staff lacked discretion - ill-timed watering and strimming of plants, taking shortcuts right past the window or open door instead of using the path etc. The spa was lovely but there was noise from heavy construction work nearby. Some staff members seemed disaffected. The barman definitely fell into this category and the bar was badly stocked

Review 128：The location, the gorgeous teak bungalow with priceless view, the sound of the waves below, the gardens, plantations and landscape features, the deeply comfortable bed, the outdoor bathroom, the delectable food, and the many delightful members of staff - including the manager himself

Review 129：costly for foods, open bath tab is not safe for indian couples so much open spaces for bath rooms. lighting should be improve in rooms.

Review 130：place and staff

Review 131：Staff could be better trained, especially when it comes to respecting the privacy of guests.They were a bit intrusive/curious at times because of my Asian looks and not to mention my white husband.Their curiosity and personal questions made my stay rather uncomfortable at times.Although I am used to being stared at in public for the same reason, I was not expecting it in a 5 star resort, that too from professionally trained staff! And the pool manger came across as arrogant ( may be it's his lack of communication skills or it could be his attitude towards locals) Displaying pool rules could avoid such unpleasant situations. I felt as if some of the staff had prejudiced views about mixed couples(especially an Asian girl with a White guy) as in our case. I am optimistic that a little bit of professional training can solve this and hopefully, my next stay at niraamaya will be a pleasant one :)

Review 132：Great location, ideal for romantic get away,beautiful private beaches and cozy traditional cottages.

The Fine Print

Extra beds will cost INR 5000 per bed from 1 Oct 2013 onwards.Please note that guests who are above 12 years of age should carry a valid ID proof. In case of a foreign national, a valid passport is required.Early check-in and Late check-out is subject to availability and chargeable.