Stay ‘on’ the beach at Kerala’s Hotel Sea Face
By Sanu George
True to its name, there’s probably no other place in Kerala’s capital city Thiruvananthapuram where one can stay as close to the world-renowned Kovalam beach as at the Hotel Sea Face that literally opens into the sea. The plush resort has 20 rooms and all have breathtaking views of the sea.
Not surprisingly, the vantage point at the hotel is the deck that can accommodate close to 150 people at at any given time and from where, if you take just a few steps, you’ll find the cool sea water gently swirling over your feet.
Time flies when one is seated on the deck and the distant sound of waves is sheer music to the ears. There’s even a swimming pool on the deck and one can alternate between this and the sea – something that most tourists do!
If you get tired of this, there are facilities like catamaran rides and lagoon cruises. Thiruvallam, a cove located near Kovalam, provides ample opportunities for visitors to go out in paddle boats in the serene waters.
Returning to the deck, one can gorge on mouthwatering dishes from the restaurant, be it snacks or a full meal.
The highlight of the sea-facing kitchen is that guests can make their own selection from a tankful of live fish.
“Spot the fish that has to be eaten and we cook it according to the choice of our guests,” said G. Sudhiesh Kumar who owns the resort.
The 61-year-old, who has a degree in chemical engineering, has been overseeing the running of the resort for the past 19 years. “Without doubt, our USP is the proximity to the beach,” he said.
The fish delicacies apart, the food at the restaurant is absolutely fabulous as visitors are spoilt for choice between Tandoori, South Indian, Chinese and Thai cuisines, while tiger prawns and lobsters are a gourmand’s delight.
With ayurveda becoming a “must” for resorts, Sudhiesh Kumar has created a state-of-the-art facility which remains crowded most of the time.
Whether it’s sunbathing by the pool, wading in the blue-green waters of the Arabian Sea, exploring the wonders of nature, or enjoying the loveliest of sunsets from your hotel balcony, there is something for everyone here at Hotel Sea Face.
How to get there:
Hotel Sea Face is a 15-km, 30-minute drive from Thiruvananthapuram which is connected by air and train to all important cities.
Tariff ranges from Rs.9,600 (November-January) and Rs.2,500 (July-August) per night.
