Beautiful setting overlooking the ocean
by A TripAdvisor Member
The Taj Green Cove opened early in 2005 and is a delightful property just outside of Kovalam. The facilities and grounds are beautiful -- and the setting spectacular. The restaurants are very good and the staff very friendly and helpful. The spa facilities are beautiful and the ayurvedic treatments wonderful. They organize activities daily (cooking demonstrations, yoga, etc.)
The only problem with the Taj Green Cove is that it is not really at the beach. While the hotel has a significant stretch of coastline, there is no access to the water. You can go to the Leela and swim at the Kovalam beach there -- with a 400 rupee per person entrance fee.
Not a bad hotel but overcharging left a bad taste....
by TripAdvisor Member Pondspider
My husband, seven year old daughter and I stayed at theTaj Green Cove for three nights over new year.
The room we had was comfortable and well furnished but a bit on the small side. We also had the problem with noise from the hotel just below us which had a disco.
We were there for new year's eve and charged over $300 US dollars (nearly £200) for the compulsary party. The entertainment consisted of a Swiss tapdancing troupe. It was a little surreal sitting on a beach in India watching a Swiss tapdancing troupe performing Carmen and the Can-Can.
We assumed that having charged, by Indian standards at least, a phenomenal amount for the buffet that local alcohol would be included. We asked when we ordered a two bottles of local champagne retailing at about Rs 600 a bottle and were told that it was complimentary.
We were less than amused when we recieved a bill for Rs 6,000 ($120 or £70) when we settled up two days later. After we demanded to speak to the manager we were told that local wine was complimentary but not champagne, a fact that was not communicated to us at the time. In the end we did not have to pay but it left a bad taste in the mouth.
The rip-off feeling was further compounded by the fact that the hotel charged Rs 90 for bottles of mineral water retailing at Rs 15 and demanded a fee of Rs 500 from a friend, who was staying at another hotel, who sat on a sunbed for half an hour before having a meal with us in the restaurant. In the end we left without paying the Rs 500 and having a meal in another restaurant.
We have stayed in a number of Taj hotels throughout India and found most of them pleasant and comfortable. The feeling that we got from the Taj Green Cove was that it was making an effort to get as much money from tourists as it possibly could.
In addition to the money grabbing attitude, it was a fair distance away from the main beaches and it was quite a way away from its own stretch of beach.
If I was to go to Kovalam again I wound certainly not stay here.
Fantastic hotel
by TripAdvisor Member KVKV
My wife and I spent 3 nights here in November, 2006. This hotel was the highlight of our trip in India. We were met at the airport by the hotel driver who gave us cold, moist towels he had kept in a cooler. On arrival at the hotel, we were greeted by name and offered coconut water and other refreshments. Our room was great - clean, comfortable and nicely furnished. The view from the window and the balcony onto the gardens was very nice. Unfortunately, from our room, you can't see the ocean. We were in a "200" room. The rooms higher up the hill (300-500) did have views of the ocean. The only thing that spoiled the view from our room was that there is another hotel in front of the Green Cove. However, it was fairly well hidden with foliage and a thatched screen.
The swimming pool was beautiful. It's an infinity pool with overhanging trees and plants. Even with the plants around it, however, the water was absolutely clear and clean. I don't think I've been in a cleaner pool anywhere, let alone an outdoor pool surrounded by tropical plants. We enjoyed a swim after dark under the clear, starry sky.
The hotel is on a hillside and the private beach is a few minute walk away. They have an electric cart that will drive you there if you like. The beach has signs warning of undertow, but we saw several people swimming quite a way out from the beach.
The fitness centre was clean and well-equipped. We didn't try the spa.
The Indian restaurant, Curries, was good but not outstanding. The service was excellent, but the quality of the meal didn't live up to the service and setting. The multicuisine/buffet for breakfast was fair to poor. We had several meals at Lighthouse Beach in restaurants recommended by the hotel. My family had visited Lighthouse Beach 3 years ago and raved about how nice the beach was. We were not impressed. The boardwalk is packed with souvenir shops, restaurants and hotels, so it is not a relaxing place. The beach itself wasn't anything special.
We booked a trip to Kanyakumari through the hotel. This is the southern tip of India where 3 oceans meet. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive to get there and overall, we were disappointed. There's not really much to see there. There are two rock islands with monuments on them and you can take a ferry out to them. Not really worth it. However, if you haven't travelled much in India, the drive there shows you a lot of urban and rural life in Kerala. The best part of that day trip was the tour of a temple on the way back to the hotel. The stop at the wooden fort on the way to Kanyakumari was also interesting.
Our hotel package included a trip into Trivandrum or a backwater boat cruise. We'd visited the backwaters 2 years ago, so took the town tour. However, if you visit here and haven't been on the backwaters, take the boat cruise- it was very interesting (or do both the cruise and town tour). The palace in Trivandrum was interesting with lots of artifacts on display. The zoo was surprisingly good. The animals looked to be in good shape and there was obviously an effort to upgrade the facility.
We really enjoyed the Green Cove and recommend it as a terrific resort location.
The Perfect Resort!
by TripAdvisor Member yona13
Point of View: my husband and I are from the States, and frequently travel to 4 and 5 star hotels and resorts.
This resort is one of the top places we've visited, and is on par with most 5 star resorts, and in many ways exceeds a 5 star experience.
Our room: we had a suite, beautiful view, 1.5 bathrooms, DVD player,etc... the room was very clean, luxerious, modern. room service was excellent.
the resort: serene, secluded (but not rustic), excellent service, and good food.
the spa: I have been to many beautiful and renowned spas and this is the number one experience, by far. the service was outstanding, the spa facility was the nicest i have seen (each spa room had its own private shower and steam room), they did not attempt to sell me products. it is definatly an experience not to be missed if you stay at this resort. i had the detox treatment and my husband had the "malash" massage. both treatements were over 90 minutes, and well worth the price.
Negatives: the restaurant is a bit slow if you order off the menu instead of the buffet. Big negative: there is no beach for swimming, you have to use a neighboring resorts beach (which we did not do).
Nice and relaxing
by TripAdvisor Member ErinSamuel
The resort is great but you must know it is not on the beach and about a 10 minute tuktuk to the lighthouse beach which is where you should go for dinners, Fushion recommended. The food at the resort is very very average! The rooms are great and the service wondeful a pitty about the food.
Forum Posts
Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam??
by loubles
Hi VT's
Can Anyone help?
When we booked our honeymoon we booked the Le Meridien in Kovalam but because of the building work there,we have been moved to the Taj Green Cove Resort still in Kovalam but even our tour operator (Manos) can't tell us anything about it except that it is 5* the same as the Le Metridien.
The internet isn't much help as all I can find is the Taj group website and a couple or tour operators with the same write-up.
Can anyone tell me where in Kovalam it is (near which hotel etc etc) as it is quite new,it's not on any maps yet. and anyother good/bad things about it. Awaiting your reply
Loubles
Re: Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam??
by MRBOBK
I would try your tour operator again. Le meridiens are
great hotels. the Taj group also has nice properties.
they have been buying many hotels in India.
the taj green cove is 7 miles south of the Le Meridien.
I will look for more info.
bob K.
Re: Re: Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam??
by loubles
Thanks for that Bob, does that mean that the green cove resort is now what used to be the surya samudra resort? or am I getting it wrong because the Taj website says it is only 12 km from Trivandrum airport and 14 km from the station. which should make it north of Kovalam it's on G.V. Raja Vattapara Road
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