Leela Kempinski
by ajayzener about Dinning at Leela Kempinski
We chose Leela Kempinski's Terrace Restaurant for our anniversary dinner. We were welcomed by a very friendly staff at the hotel, the ambience was beautiful. The swimming pool ...and the sea ..everything was mesmerising. We could hear the sound of the waves and the music which was being played live. The buffet was excellent, the choice of food was good. We had a stomachful. Our kid ( 5 months aold then ) took our test, but the staff was cordial and helpful enough to help us with her.The final icing was the anniversary cake given to us as a complimentary gift.
A nice choice for our anniversary....
Kovalam beach
by yumiyun
Rather known for European tourists - perhaps the most "touristy" spot in entire Kerala.
The best time to visit beaches in Kerala is Oct - Feb, when the monsoon leaves and the weather is pleasant.
Visit my Kovalam page for more info.
Fabulous
by TripAdvisor Member Gaspari
Stayed one week in a top floor club room (with high pitched ceiling) which we thoroughly enjoyed. Room clean light airy and well equiped in a comfortable modern minimalist style which we liked. Whilst accepting that the rooms are not huge, and are smaller than the (oversized) standard ones in the main hotel, they are not small, and two normal sized individuals would not have a problem with them.
Located on a rocky promontary, there are problems with the excessive no. of birds roosting on and arround the balconies, making external cleanliness an issue, and the large balconies not the most attractive places to sit. This is something the hotel needs to address urgently if the club is to remain attractive going forward.
Yes, there are some teething problems with the building, and one or two electric sockets/adapters seemed a bit dodgy but any issues we had were generally quickly and pleasantly resolved.
There is a huge desire to please and provide a very high level of service in this hotel. Sometimes the reality falls a little short in terms of professionalism from both the waiting and housekeeping staff although concierges, reception, pool and security staff were universally excellent.
Club restaurant was a highlight, with outstanding food quality - a top chef who happily would provide whatever you wanted, simply and beautifully cooked. Beach restaurant was also good with a larger menu and more oriental flavour.
Sky bar a lovely stylish place for a drink - and so nice that you can walk down into Kovalam for some local atmosphere, a drink or a cheap good meal for a change.
Hotel extras not expensive compared with other top international hotels, Kovalam is just very cheap outside the hotel!
Whilst one could list a few flaws, overall this was a top class experience for a beach hotel. Can't remember enjoying a weeks relaxation in comfort with good food and service so much for years, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend or go back.
NB. Pavilion rooms nowhere near the main hotel complex in gardens on the opposite side of the road at the public beach, with a really grotty old pool - so glad we didn't end up there as it doesn't feel part of the hotel at all!
Great hotel, esp. Club rooms
by TripAdvisor Member SKCIV
Can highly recommend this hotel, we had a fabulous two weeks.
The hotel is situated on a headland with bays on either side. We stayed in the Club rooms (new to the Leela) that advertise itself as a hotel within a hotel. Although we did not see any of the other rooms we found this took our holiday to much higher level. We only went into the main part of the hotel for the buffet dinner on a couple of occasions. The club has its own restaurant, library, living room (where afternoon tea is served), gym, spa, infinity pool over the sea and the Sky Bar which serves superb cocktails (recommend their mohito and bloody mary!). There are about 50 club rooms. The rooms themselves are quite small, but well equipped with high quality furnishings, not particularly installed to a high standard! Bathrooms are tiny but perfectly formed – no bath just a superb shower. A butler is provided with the room, but in reality it is a very good room service. If you opt for private dining on your balcony (no extra charge and feels very luxurious) the butler will serve you throughout the meal, although we dismissed him until we had finished.
The rest of the hotel consists of other rooms of various classes, a private beach that is delightful but difficult to get a bed on unless you leave it until around 3.00pm or get up very early, a bar and two further restaurants. Tides is down on the beach where the food is good but the service is ridiculously slow. The Terrace restaurant has an excellent view and has a buffet and a la carte menu. The buffet is good, plenty of different curries to choose from and the odd western dish. Drinks are expensive for Kerala but not in comparison to normal – around £3.00 for a gin and tonic. The wine is terribly expensive not just in the hotel but in all the places where it is available. Take some with you!! There is also another gym and an ayuverdic centre. The massage facilities in the hotel are quite expensive, I tried one for research’s sake and it was very good but too many questions – do you need a hand in the shower being one of them!! Out of the hotel and down the lane on the right there is a good massage place on the lhs upper floor and for about £5 you get an hour’s massage. I made it a daily occurrence. Many other nice points but if you want to know any more let me know.
Various restaurants in the area that are worth visiting – although not as good as the restaurants in Calangute and Baga, Goa. Fusion and Molly's being the best. One thing of note is that the half board is not worth doing at all. Cost £164 for two weeks which works out at £11 per head per night. For that you get a free meal in the buffet worth about £8 or £4 off per meal taken out side the buffet. The maths does not work.
All in all, a wonderful holdiay.
Great situation but...
by TripAdvisor Member WalesChris
Well on the positive side, it's in a lovely situation and the Sky bar really is a terrifc place for a drink and one or two 'Tapas' style snacks. It has a stunning infinity pool which looks great. Given it's initial gloss though you'd expect a lot but sadly, they drop the catch too often to meet the hype. The main complaints surround the restaurants. Many of the dishes offered in the Terrace menu are 'unavailable'. The menu at the Tides is too limited for more than a few nights and a dependence on three buffets per day is not in keeping with a hotel of this style. You'll be forced outside to eat where you'll find 'dinner' but no 'dining' unless you consider the nearby Taj ('Curries'), which is superb. Many of the drinks offered are also 'unavailable'. All of that together with some pretty mediocre service, forgotten taxi booking/porters on check-out etc., mean it missed the mark for us.
Great hotel great Location
by TripAdvisor Member RACRutland
This hotel exceeded our expectations.The reception areas and the rooms were lovely. The pool stunning. Service was superb.
The location is great with a short walk up the beach to the Lobster Pot for lunch (aprox £7 for 4) and an easy stroll down into the small resort of Kovalam for shopping or eating out. We enjoyed fusion bar, Santana and the german bakery but never had a bad meal. We enjoyed it and our 2 teenagers thought it the best holiday ever. We will be back
Photos
The reception - Leela Kovalam
Kovalam beach
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam Beach
Forum Posts
Suggestion honeymoon Plan
by RoopaM
Hi VTs I m planning for Honeymoon in kerala. After lot of search on net.
i felt i want a beach definitely. not a crowded one.
need not be popular ,need not be the most beautiful one but definetely isolated,unexlored and beautiful.
Is Poovar best for this?.Or leela kovalam?
Or are there any still better ones?.Will 2 days be very much for Poovar.After A beach i plan for Alleppy.
Which would be finest experience .A house boat day cruise and night stay or stay in lake resorts?.
We Plan in august 3 rd week for a 5 day trip. how will be the weather in this season? and Also Pls Let /us know about what to do's in Poovar and alleppey..
We plan 2 days in alleppey. I think we can hire boats for cruising . correct?
Can we get better cruising boats on spot? or does it need any pre booking?
will these be house boats or normal boats ?.
What wud be the places we can see while cruising?
Will there be places to stop and see while cruising?
which places we can go by road transfer. which on water ways. which are must see...Every response is really appreciated .
thank you,
Roopa
RE: Suggestion honeymoon Plan
by jhayzapi
try visiting www.topworld.com
RE: Suggestion honeymoon Plan
by babypud
the leela will be busier as Kovalam is the main tourist spot, but being out of season should be quiet, dont forget it is still monsoon so how much time you can spend on the beach depends on the rain but I think swimming will be out. Poovar I belive is on a backwater lagoon and although it has a beach I have read that you can not swim in it. I recomend you have a look at the hotel recomendations on the Poovar hotels on WWW.Tripadvisor.com before you go any further. Good luck with your wedding.
we are moving to Kovalam next week, see you on lighthouse beach.
RE: Suggestion honeymoon Plan
by shahronakm
Do stay overnight in Houseboat.
During my honeymoon I had spent one night & it is really a good exp.
Ronak.
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