Melo Villareal
Much of my work involves traveling, writing about destinations, and experiencing hotels firsthand, so staying in different properties has become an important part of how I understand a place. For me, a hotel is never simply a place to sleep after a long day of sightseeing. I like to experience the property, explore its facilities, try its restaurants, observe the service, and see how well it reflects the destination’s character. Every hotel has its own personality, and discovering what makes each one different is one of the things I enjoy most about travel.
Turtle on the Beach Hotel Facade
Before arriving in Kerala, I already knew I wanted a hotel that could give me a good introduction to Kovalam. During my research, Turtle on the Beach Hotel kept coming up. I found plenty of positive reviews and recommendations describing it as one of Kovalam’s best hotels. The property also has an international following, attracting travelers from across India and overseas who come to Kerala for its beaches, culture, wellness experiences, and slower pace of life.
That made me even more curious to experience it for myself.
We stayed at Turtle on the Beach Hotel in Kovalam for two nights, giving me enough time to settle in, explore the property, and experience the hotel beyond the usual quick check-in and overnight stay. I was particularly interested in seeing whether the experience would live up to what I had read before the trip.
As a travel blogger, I try not to judge a hotel based solely on its photographs or online reputation. A property can look impressive in pictures, but the real experience comes from being there. I pay attention to the small details, from the arrival experience and room design to the food, service, location, atmosphere, and how the hotel connects guests with its destination.
My two nights at Turtle on the Beach let me do exactly that. More importantly, it let me experience Kovalam as a traveler seeking both comfort and a sense of place. After researching the hotel before we arrived, I finally saw why it has become a popular choice for travelers visiting Kerala.
In October 2014, I was fortunate enough to win a trip to Kerala through the Kerala Tourism Department’s Come to Kerala and Visa on Arrival campaign. As a travel blogger, winning that trip was already an exciting opportunity because it gave me the chance to discover Kerala firsthand. I never expected, however, that the experience would also include a stay at one of Kovalam’s well-known luxury hotels.
Thanks to the Kerala Tourism Department and the hotel, the other lucky participants and I were assigned to stay at the famous Turtle on the Beach Hotel in Kovalam. For two nights, the five-star property became our official home while we explored Kerala.
I still remember how excited I was when I first arrived at the hotel. At the time, I was used to staying in different hotels on my travels, but being welcomed into a luxury resort in Kovalam as part of my first Kerala experience was particularly memorable. The property immediately made me feel this would be more than an ordinary hotel stay.
During our two-night stay, I had the opportunity to experience the hotel beyond simply having a comfortable room to return to after our activities. I explored the property, enjoyed its facilities, experienced its hospitality, and noticed the details that made the stay special. As someone who writes about hotels and destinations, I naturally looked at the experience through a travel blogger’s lens.
Turtle on the Beach genuinely overwhelmed me with what it offered. From the setting and architecture to the service and overall atmosphere, the hotel gave me my first taste of Kerala’s approach to luxury hospitality. Looking back, that two-night stay remains one of the trip’s highlights and one of the hotel experiences that made my first visit to Kerala particularly memorable.
Inside my Bathroom
For one, the hotel staff was really friendly and empathetic—they immediately knew what their guests needed, like how they immediately served us Come to Kerala participants a hearty breakfast when we arrived at the hotel. The hotel’s restaurant served really good authentic Kerala food, which definitely changed my impression of India as a whole. In addition, the hotel’s services were available 24/7, so my stay was convenient and relaxing.
Arabian Sea View Room with Balcony
We, participants of Come to Kerala, were given individual rooms, and mine was a few steps from the infinity pool and the restaurant (also open 24/7). I was more than happy with my room.
Infinity Pool at Turtle on the Beach Hotel
It was luxurious—my bed was huge, my bathroom was spacious and stocked with toiletries, and the lighting was perfect. My room also faced the sea, so I had an amazing view all to myself and got to breathe in Kerala’s freshest air!
Sunset at the Poolside
Our activities the following morning were also hassle-free—the hotel was spacious, and we met and discussed everything effortlessly.
My Bed for two nights
The hotel’s location was also very strategic, if I may say so. It’s just a short walk from the famous Kovalam beach, so staying there felt like being at two Kerala tourist attractions at once.
Poolside area
Although I stayed at Turtle on the Beach in Kovalam for only 2 nights, it gave me an experience I’ll never forget (my favorite part was my spacious room, of course). After my trip to Kerala, I found out that Turtle on the Beach (hotel photos) had earned a certificate of excellence for 3 consecutive years, and Kerala State Tourism also named it the best 5-star hotel—so that’s not surprising.
View of Kovalam Beach from the Roofdeck
I’m really happy that I got to stay at Turtle on the Beach Resort. It made my stay in Trivandrum, Kerala unforgettable. Trust me, the hotel is better than what we read online, and if I could, I would give it 11/10!
Turtle on the Beach Hotel Kovalam (check rates)
Address: VPI/439, ITDC Road, Kovalam,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695527, India
Phone:+91 471 251 4000
