Niraamaya Retreats, Kerala

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Niraamaya Retreats, Kerala

Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra is a boutique beachfront resort, set in an expansive tropical garden, just outside Kovalam, in Kerala. Once a private home, it is one of the traditional houses, called ‘Tharawads’ that were saved from being sold to antique dealers by Klaus Schleusener. Soon, it was recognised as a heritage property and was carefully converted to a hotel by a German architect Karl Damschen. Today, it offers modern luxury and much-needed tranquillity in traditional style.

Surrounded by lush greenery of coconut groves and views of the Arabian Sea, Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra offers 31 ‘Tharawad’ cottages, what were once traditional Keralite homes. Exceptionally spacious and elegant, with high terracotta roofs, the interiors are filled with carved wooden columns, heavy wooden doors and countless windows, each offering different views. All are beautifully designed with traditional Keralan wood and blend in seamlessly with the gardens.

Dining options include two restaurants headed by a Relais & Châteaux trained chef, offering a range of contemporary traditional and international cuisine. For relaxation, Niraamaya Retreats, Surya Samudra, features a private beach and beautiful sea-facing infinity pool. There is an Ayurveda centre offering pampering spa treatments and personal yoga sessions. Other activities include watersports such as paragliding, catamaran and motorboat rides, as well as cooking classes.

Hotel Group

Niraamaya Retreats

Destination

Kerala

Hotel Type

Boutique

Location Type

Beach

Amenities

24hr Room Service
Bar/Pub
Business Centre
Childcare Services
Coffee Shop
Concierge
Cribs/Infant Beds Available
Disabled Facilities
Fitness Centre
Garden
Library
Meeting/Conference Facilities
Multilingual Staff
Outdoor Pool
Restaurant
Safety Deposit Boxes
Spa/Sauna

Stay

Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra offers just 31 heritage cottages. Built in traditional Keralite architecture, each cottage is exceptionally spacious, featuring noble timber furniture and flooring, terracotta roofs and plush beds with fine linen. Each cottage has large glass doors, comfortable indoor and outdoor sitting areas, with views of the sea or lush surroundings. The cliff-front Octagon and Banyan Tree Bungalow are ideal for honeymooners offering an outdoor bath.

ChildCare

Families with children are very welcome to stay at Surya Samudra Private Retreats. There is a kid's playroom at the resort and babysitting can be arranged on request.

Dine

Dining at the Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra is a gourmet affair with a choice of two restaurants headed by Relais & Châteaux trained chef. Café Samsara restaurant, set in a tile-roofed verandah with beautiful ocean views offers a mix of Keralan specialities, pan-Indian dishes and European flavours. Essence is a more formal thatched Thai restaurant, set on a beautiful cliff, where you can watch your meal being prepared, marinated and flamed. There is also Madira bar with ocean views.

Relax

Facilities at Surya Samudra Private Retreats include a cliff side swimming pool and an Ayurveda centre, recognised as one of the best in the country. It offers massages, such as Ayurvedic treatments, Swedish massage, sports massage and South-east Asian treatments. There are also yoga classes and cooking classes run by Relais & Châteaux trained chef Prakash Nayak.

Experience

The word Kovalam translates to “grove of coconut trees” in the local language and you will see these all around the Surya Samudra Private Retreat. There are lovely beaches offering a range of watersports activities including, paragliding, catamaran and motorboat rides. Cultural experiences include a half day tour of Kovalam city to explore the Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple, Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple, and Halcyon Castle. The highlight is a cruise through Kerala’s backwaters.

Best time to go

Oct-Mar

Average High

28°C

Nearest Airport

TRV

Timezone

GMT+ 5.3

Currency

Indian Rupees (INR)

Location Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra sits on a private beach 8km south of Kovalam, overlooking pristine beaches by the Arabian Sea in Kerala. Within easy reach of Vizhinjam Beach, Lighthouse Beach, and Hawah Beach.

Getting there Fly to Trivandrum via Delhi. From Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra is around a 30-minute drive.

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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