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Taj Bekal Resort & Spa is a luxury beach resort, set on the shores of Kappil beach in northern Kerala. Situated on a beautiful bend of the Kappil River, and surrounded by 26 acres of lush tropical garden landscape, Bekal Resort is a new Ayurvedic retreat competing with Ananda in the Himalayas. There is no Maharaja’s palace or views of the mountains, but there are palm-filled gardens, infinity pools, empty beaches splashed by warm waters and private villas with plunge pools.
Spread between the Arabian Sea and the Kappil River, Taj Bekal Resort & Spa comprises of 71 gorgeous villas. The style and décor are inspired by the region’s iconic Kettuvalam houseboats and complemented by soothing Balinese influences. Inside, spacious rooms are elegantly designed with private courtyards, large bathtubs and fountains, some with enclosed gardens and plunge pools. Three dining options ensure guests have a wide choice of traditional and European cuisine.
Set back from the villas, across a humpback bridge, is Jiva Granda Spa; the biggest in any Taj hotel. With treatment rooms the size of gigantic studio apartments, it offers six signature 'experiences' under supervision of a resident physician. Nearby, is the secluded and relatively unexplored Kappil Beach, one of the cleanest and unpolluted beaches of Kerala. But the real joy at Kappil is the backwater ride on Taj Bekal Resort’s luxury Kettuvalam, with your own private guide and chef.
Amenities
Stay Taj Bekal Resort & Spa comprises of 70 stylish villas and rooms, spread across the landscaped gardens next to the Kappil beach. The unique architectural design, inspired by the region’s iconic Kettuvalam houseboats is reflected in each room with hand-woven bamboo ceilings and soothing Balinese influences include Chitra Pothi art on the walls. All rooms have spacious living spaces, large terraces and landscaped gardens and some have private courtyard or plunge pools.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Taj Bekal Resort & Spa. There is a games room for older children and a kid’s club for the younger guests. During the school holidays, extra activities are arranged on the beach. Babysitting service can be arranged on request.
Dine Guests at the Taj Bekal Resort & Spa have a choice of three dining options. Enjoy delicious multi-cuisine and local Keralite delicacies at Latitude with views of the sea and the backwaters as the backdrop. There’s also a stunningly located The Bay restaurant, that offers the freshest catch of the day, all prepared in coastal style of cooking. Set on the poolside is an outdoor grill serving BBQ, while the elephant-themed Ivory Bar, is a soothing place to hang out with a drink.
Relax One of the main reasons most guests stay at the Taj Bekal Resort & Spa is relaxation. Hence, most rooms and villas have either private gardens or plunge pools and there is Kappil Beach to relax. However, for ultimate relaxation, there is Jiva Granda Spa, the biggest in any Taj hotel. Headed by resident physician Dr Prasanna, it offers six signature 'experiences' including 3-hours of yoga, colour therapy and 2-hours of Abhisheka, in which Arabian Sea water is poured over you.
Experience Kappil beach is known to be one of the best kept secrets of Kerala. Backed by thick groves of casuarinas trees, its golden sands are splashed by the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. Taj Bekal Resort & Spa offers authentic Ketuvallam – a popular houseboat cruise through its backwaters. Explore Bekal Fort, Kerala’s largest fort and where Tipu Sultan’s soldiers defended Bekal. There are also numerous trekking trials that make this place a heaven for adventure enthusiasts.
Location Spread across 25 acres, this sophisticated new world class resort is located at Bekal in Kasargod district in northern Kerala, 60 km from Mangalore airport in the neighbouring state of Karnataka. Set amidst the meandering Kerala backwaters, the resort has access to the vast Arabian Sea.
Getting there Fly to Mangalore Airport. Vivanta by Taj is approximately 1-hour 40-minutes from the airport.
When to go Isolated from much of India by the Western Ghats, the climate of Kerala & Karnataka is tropical. The best time to visit is from January through to April. Summer is hot and humid; the monsoon season arrives in early June and lasts till August. While September can be dry and humid. There can be a little rain in October and November, cooling off around December and lasting until February.
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Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said us recently.
“I would like to thank Asian Geographical Expeditions staff for organising a perfect holiday for my family to Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives…”
“We are grateful for the exceptional planning and care taken by Asian Geographical Expeditions to ensure our holiday was perfect.”
“… organised by Asian Geographical Expeditions following a recommendation from a close friend. He wasn’t wrong! Asian Geographical Expeditions immediately showed us their professionalism, care and attention to our wishes.”
“Thank you for suggesting the helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp and breakfast with a view of Mt Everest—a truly spectacular moment.”
“The history and cultural specialists also deserve a mention for the way they illuminated the heritage of the places we visited, as does the Buddhist scholar with his apparently boundless knowledge.”
“We were very impressed to learn that its CEO had led some amazing first-ever expeditions … Clearly, he’s still an ace at organising expeditions.”
“Tibet was a revelation … it surely was a blessing to travel back to the region after 50 years … Thank you, Asian Geographical Expeditions, for making this possible.”
"Everything went smoothly, and we want to thank our friendly guides and driver who shared their personal stories and the rich histories of their countries. That is the AGE difference."
"A heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Asian Geographical Expeditions who made this super trip possible."
"… we had a stress-free trip, ‘hands-free’, enabling us to enjoy the sights and rich cultures of Dubai and Oman ."
"The meticulous care, support and guidance provided by Asian Geographical Expeditions made the trip extra-special."
"The itinerary was as we expected... the Asian Geographical Expeditions did a fantastic job, going the extra mile to ensure we had the best holiday ever.”
"The attention to detail shone through every aspect of our journey … we gained a deep understanding of a region that remains enigmatic to many. Thanks for a remarkable travel experience!"
"I am deeply grateful to the entire team at Asian Geographical Expeditions for their dedication and hard work in crafting such a memorable holiday."
"The guides were exceptional—they clearly loved sharing their knowledge and insights into the local culture and history."
"We were really impressed with the immaculate organisation ... The Asian Geographical Expeditions team kept in communication during the tour, ensuring that each of our members was comfortable."
"The detailed itinerary and thoughtful pre-trip information removed all stress from our travels, which went off without a hitch, allowing us to dive deep into the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of Central Asia."
"The hospitality was truly remarkable... we are immensely grateful to the team for their efforts and look forward to our next adventure with Asian Geographical Expeditions."
"Every detail of our trip was superbly executed... (and) the exceptional attentiveness of the guides added a feeling of luxury and comfort that was much appreciated."
"The guides were not only knowledgeable but also truly passionate about sharing their rich cultural histories, which added a personal touch that was deeply appreciated."
"Every aspect of the trip, from guides to accommodation and the well-planned itinerary ... was seamlessly orchestrated. We will always recommend Asian Geographical Expeditions for anyone looking to explore Central Asia in unparalleled depth and comfort."