The Leela Kovalam

Ever since the 1930s, when the Queen of Travancore established her palace on a bluff near one of its seemingly endless beaches, Kovalam has been a vibrant, outsized hub of tourism in southern India. Despite nearly a century of attention, it’s much more laid-back — and dare we say, refined — than India’s other beach hotspot, Goa. The largest resort in town, the Leela Kovalam Beach, showcases a few innovative offerings without sacrificing an ounce of impeccable luxury.

Despite clocking in at 182 rooms, the hotel manages to maintain an aura of exclusivity by housing a 58-room boutique within its walls, complete with butler service and two dedicated restaurants. If you’re not about to shell out for the Club experience but still place a premium on seclusion, the garden view pavilions are sheltered by coconut groves and contain private pools. All the rooms hew closely to modern five-star minimalism, meaning that they’re uncluttered with squeaky clean lines and right angled furniture, but never feel stark or underwhelming. Indian-accented opulence is reserved for the public spaces, which tend to be vast and sparkling.

A fittingly eclectic array of restaurants and bars keeps the culinary options open, with plenty of cliff-top views to remind you why you came to Kovalam in the first place. And, as no Indian resort would be complete without an Ayurveda spa, the Leela has Divya — eight sprawling treatment rooms that cater to every possible wellness-oriented whim.

• 182 Rooms
• Style: Contemporary Classic
• Atmosphere: Quiet

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