The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel

Perched on a cliff, The Leela Kovalam Beach Resort truly has the best ocean-view accommodations to catering to ones need. The Club rooms offer unparalleled, unobstructed ocean views, making you feel directly above the waves – perfect for quiet contemplation. While the views are spectacular, these rooms are less spacious, though thoughtful touches like cookies and a fruit bowl enhance the stay.  In contrast, the Sea View rooms, where we primarily stayed, provide a very spacious balcony overlooking lush gardens and the beach below. These rooms are significantly larger, making them ideal for families with young children, despite being in an older part of the property. My personal preference leans towards the Sea View for its generous space and combined garden/beach view. A notable issue is smoke drifting from neighboring balconies; designated smoking areas would greatly benefit non-smokers. Beyond these, The Leela offers Villas at sea level with ocean views, featuring their own pool and hammocks for relaxation. There's also a mention of a suite closest to the sea, and a fourth, pricier property in an old palace on the cliff, promising unique views. The main restaurant (Terrace) serves comprehensive Indian and Western buffets for all meals, with live stations. By the fourth day the  breakfast menu felt repetitive and kind of boring to say the least. My main disappointment was the limited array of authentic Kerala dishes in the lunch and dinner buffet. However, of the few Kerala items offered, like the exceptional avial and creative banana blossom payasam, were truly outstanding, leaving me wishing for more local representation. Houseflies were a minor annoyance at the restaurant, and during peak times like Sunday brunch, live station orders sometimes required reminders. I hope they'll address these issues and diversify the menu and highlight more Kerala cuisine than pan India. The main pool is a pleasant infinity pool with a kids' section, easily accessible but unheated (and cold during monsoon). The exclusive Club pool offers a better, more private experience for adults. The resort provides a sports/activity room for kids with PS4 and board games, and also offering prepared activities that require prior notice. Outdoor courts are available for badminton and lawn tennis. The Leela boasts wonderful private beach access with lifeguards, offering areas for relaxation and play (football, basketball, sand toys available). Although closed due to high tides during our visit, September to December is recommended for beach enjoyment and water sports. The buggy service is highly convenient for navigating the resort, especially to the spa or convention center. The spa rooms are well-equipped with showers and movable steam rooms for privacy. My therapist, Anjali, was exceptional. In-house Ayurveda doctors offer free consultations, though there was a subtle push for Panchakarma treatment, as expected. The spa also hosts beneficial morning yoga and evening meditation sessions.  I highly recommend The Leela Kovalam for both short and extended getaways. The exceptional service truly elevated our stay.  The resort's location is excellent—close to the airport with minimal traffic, and near tourist spots like the backwaters and lighthouse, perfect for short excursions. All the staffs did an amazing job but some of them made it extra special -  Nisha (playroom) for engaging our child, Anjali (spa) for her excellent treatment, Niberesh (dining) for his gracious hosting, and the entire team—including Shana (reception), pool, sports, buggy, and housekeeping staff—for their kindness and outstanding work. Mr. Jithin (Food and Beverage) chatting with us prior to check out Check-in/Out: Improve guest recognition upon arrival for early check-ins. Provide more definitive answers for late checkout requests earlier in the stay, especially for families. Restaurant: Address housefly issues. Improve promptness of live station food delivery during peak hours. Lastly send out the activity list of the day in the morning for better planning.

Between meetings I had a weekend at the Lela. The views and service were exactly what is needed for a peaceful retreat. In the spa, Swati did among the best massages I have had anywhere in the world. Her technique was flawless. Thank you to a superior team at the Lela!

Excellent location. Very friendly and courteous staff. Food was awesome, we tried the breakfast and the dinner buffet. Very good spread.

It was a satisfyingstay.Property was clean and tidy which made us feel so good. The staffs were so courteous. The staffs from frontoffice Naseem, naveen, and krishnadas duty manager were so good to help us throughoutour stay

Amazing property Amazing food Great service The staff was super friendly especially naveen and naseem Really enjoyed my stay.