Gateway Varkala - IHCL SeleQtions

10/10

Exceptional

07 Feb 2026

Robert

Extremely courteous staff. Lovely facility

8/10

Excellent

27 Jan 2026

Kirun

*

10/10

Exceptional

03 Feb 2025

Gunjan

Excellent hospitality!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 May 2024

Manoj

Memories forever

One of the best places to stay. The resort retains the old Kerala vibe although providing all the modern amenities one requires for a comfortable stay. The staff is courteous, warm and responsive. Their breakfast spread is nice. It’s worth the money spent.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2024

David

Spacious hotel with great pool. Very friendly and helpful staff. Very good food - pleasant surprise to find we were half-board. 20 min walk to beach or to Cliff area.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Feb 2024

Joseph

Probally the best place in Varkala.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Jan 2024

Imogen

Staff were friendly and helpful, when we arrived in our room the sheets and towels were dirty which was a let down. but was swiftly resolved

8/10

Excellent

24 Nov 2023

Wesley

Great place to stay, left with a bitter taste

Amazing hotel with lovely facilities and good value for money. All staff are welcoming and really polite. The room was spacious and clean and it provides everything you need. In general it is a very good place to stay in varkala and I would recommend anyone to stay here.

Unfortunately the bad points follow:

Firstly, the wifi - considering you are paying a fair amount in relation to other hotels you only get 1 device (unless you pay for premium service, as it states on the wifi sign in page) and it's not accessible everywhere. Not the end of the world but considering other hotels offer unlimited access for free it's not ideal but hey.

Secondly which was frustrating for me and my partner, when it came to check out, they asked us if we had taken anything from the mini bar, we replied \"nothing\". Upon them insisting on double checking, they informed us there were a few bits missing. There were then numerous phone calls made and we were questioned multiple times to which we insisted we hadn't taken anything. Furthermore to that, this incident was then raised with multiple members of staff who then would carry on questioning us about the mini bar and labelled us with the same reputation. When spending over £300+ in total on this establishment, it seemed very inappropriate to accuse myself and partner of stealing things from a mini bar and unfortunately this is the lasting memory of the hotel.

8/10

Excellent

21 Sep 2023

Julie

Ok for few days, not much to do

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Sep 2023

Jacob

great place to stay in Varkala

great staff and service
great property, peaceful and serine. but the building need updating direct access to beach and v can be an issue if it start raining

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 May 2023

Radhakrishnan

The stay was amazing.The most outstanding thing was the friendly and helpful attitude of the staff, all of them. Food was excellent.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

10 Oct 2022

Verified traveler

A decent stay but could be better

An okayish stay. View is decent, you cannot see the beach though. A little more activities for the kids could make it a good weekend getaway. Currently has a slide, swings and see saw only. Pool needs maintenance and a little more empathetic pool staff. Kid got a cut in leg in one of the many loose tile parts in the kid pool. Sides of the pool has a lot of fungal growth. Restaurant is the best part. Excellent service by each staff and tasty food. Overall a decent stay but could be a better.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jun 2022

Soman

was very nice experience. Regi was very good.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Dec 2021

Prashanth

Gateway Varkala is a very tranquil hotel set done distance from the noisy Cliff area. The staff are among the best and friendliest I have met anywhere in the world. The amenities are very nice. The rooms are dated. The vinyl floor in my room was worn and chipped. The view from the hotel balcony is beautiful and you can see the Arabian sea if you have some of the better located rooms. Apart from the dated rooms, the other downside is that the trendy, popular beaches (Cliff Beach and Black Sand Beach) are some distance away. Autorickshaws (Tuk Tuls) are not usually easy to find outside this hotel. The restaurant is great. We have a few meals there. Rooms include a buffet breakfast and also includes several a la carte choices such as dosas eggs etc. We also did massages at the ayurvedic center, and that was well worth it. The swimming pool was a very enjoyable one. Even in December the water was warm. There are loungers and towel service. Overall this was a great experience. People who want to be in the thick of the action, and don't mind dealing with noise and crowds should look to stay in one of the many modest hotels along the cliff. Gateway would better suit discerning guests who value peace and quiet.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2021

Soonmu

It was nice experience !!! If I go there again then I will stay there again !!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

This was one of my best stays in Kerela, we were stuck in lockdown for two days and we thought what we would do but this property of Taj group just did not let me down. The location for the property is amazing and has sea views. The staff is very humble and friendly. The food is absolutely amazing and upto the expectations. The chef comes and ask you about your experience with the food and suggests you new things to have. Overall it was the best stay in Kerela for me.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

05 May 2021

Verified traveler

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Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2021

Verified traveler

Amazing place

Overall very nice property

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Mar 2020

Diane

Beautiful views, very clean, prompt delicious room service and very secure location. My place to stay in Varkala.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

03 Feb 2020

Sally

Very nice hotel

Very nice hotel, staff were very polite
Able to walk to the beach
Room was very good
Perfect hotel for looking around this area

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

Beautiful and very convenient location. Everything was good. The only criticism would be the restaurant food prices which were eye watering. Many of the dishes were 800 to 1,000 INR when you could get the same dish for 250 INR at the North Cliff Restaurants

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

02 Nov 2019

Verified traveler

All staff super friendly and all great with the kids. The breakfast was fantastic, rooms really comfortable and kept really clean. The shower was wonderful and all the team were welcoming and accommodating. We would certainly stay there again.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

24 Apr 2019

Victoria

Decent 4 star hotel with good pool.

We had a great time in Varkala. The hotel was friendly and helpful and a lovely setting with a really nice pool for the kids and a swim up bar in the pool which we liked. There was a lovely view from hotel down to the sea. We liked the little path that takes you down through some jungle to the beach too.
A good 4 star choice in that area if you have kids and want a pool. The breakfast was also good with a large selection to offer.
The only negatives were that the hotel was a bit faded and could do with a bit of maintenance here and there to spruce it up. It needed a bit of love! The tennis court was abandoned and the net completely broken although we did borrow some rackets for a knock-about anyway, but it wasn’t really playable.
The restaurant looked like it served good food but it was pretty expensive so we chose to eat out everyday as there are lots of good restaurants in the area anyway.
We had a really good time here and it was a nice place to be overall.

Family

2/10

Poor

11 Aug 2018

Verified traveler

fungus and mould in room dangerous for breathing woke up after first night feeling in well, expedia did not refund all my money and even not enough for the rest of my stay, if they don’t fix this i will leave expedia fore ever!

Also avoid this hotel the fungus is dangerous ppl die from it even in dry climates like california!

6/10

Pleasant

02 Aug 2018

Leti

Staff makes the stay worth it by far

Enjoyed the stay at Taj. We booked the deluxe suite and it was exactly what we imagined. It’s in need of a renovation, simple amenities however it served its purpose. The staff is courteous and helpful which we certainly appreciate. It’s the staff which makes this property worth the stay.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Feb 2018

Lindsey

Great staff nice hotel

The hotel has a great location and the best beds of our entire 8 hotel experience in India. Housekeeping never replaced shampoo ect. And often did not bring enough towels but were quick to bring anything we asked for. Food is only decent. Go eat at the beach for half price and better food.

8/10

Excellent

31 Jan 2018

Charles

Nice Hotel

Very nice hotel but a bit dated. Staff are superb and the grounds well maintained.

8/10

Excellent

18 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

Nice stay

We had a nice stay, very convenient location and services. The restaurants was particularly good.

10/10

Exceptional

08 Dec 2017

Tom

Perfection!

Beyond perfect - the hotel provides a very bespoke and personal service and went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed our stay. I promised less than some of the bigger names but delivered far more. They upgraded our room free of charge given they had space. I can't speak highly enough of the staff. Area is excellent as well - short walk to the beaches and restaurants!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Nov 2017

Judi

Excellent option in lovely Varkala

Yes the restaurant needs a makeover and the pool needs re-tiling but we just loved our stay at the Gateway. It was perfectly located in a quiet location on the hill but perfectly walkable to the beach and cliffs. The room was perfect, very comfortable and a wonderful view of the coconut palms and swooping eagles. We would love to return one day. Many thanks to the team.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2017

Nick

Nice

Very nice hotel staff could not have been more accommodating. Clean and comfortable. Sells beers at a swim up bar, short walk to barkala beach.

6/10

Pleasant

28 Feb 2017

Siobhan

Good location for the beach, spa facilities very good. Nice comfortable hotel but food was disappointing.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2017

Darren

Very comfortable hotel.

Staff extremely friendly and helpful. Rooms very comfortable, clean. Breakfasts very good. Was very disappointed in \"Fitness Centre\" it only had a treadmill and running machine! Swimming pool we did not think was very clean had algae growing on the pool floor, slimy to walk on and pool edge was a bit green.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 Jan 2017

Mathilde

Excelle location, garden and service

Partner

8/10

Excellent

10 Oct 2016

Verified traveler

Convenient and beautiful

The stay was good and the beach a few hundred meters away from the hotel. There is a cute pathway that cuts through the jungle to take you to the beach.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 May 2016

Pete

Nice hotel close to beach

Stayed for 7 nights. The hotel has a different charm. It is a oversized house with about 30 rooms. Not a typical hotel look but a very charming place. Its about 300 steps to the beach through the back entrance. Overall very convenient hotel. Nice staff always smiling and willing to help. The AC did not seem very powerful but upon request, they quickly addressed it. Nice views of the beach. Has carromboard, chess and other table games. The Ayervedic massage place in the hotel is professionally run and is overall nice. The food was great. The executive chef was always around to chat and customized food to our liking. It is not a 5 or 7 star hotel. But certainly a very neat and clean and picturesque place with good people who like to take care of your minute details.

8/10

Excellent

16 Apr 2016

louise

Helpful staff, excellent location

We had a terrific experience, staff helpful and friendly. The pool would benefit from some maintenance work,repairing broken tiles. Good in the hotel restaurant, nice but pricy. Buffet bteakfast, plenty of options.

8/10

Excellent

29 Mar 2016

Samuel

Best place to stay in Varkala - do yourself a favour.

Family

8/10

Excellent

20 Feb 2016

Christian

Relaxing on top of Varkala beach

very nice top hill hotel. Great service, very friendly. Close walk from the beach. The hotel itslelf has all you need. It could be a 5* if the hotel restaurant would be a bit bigger or the pool would have a bit more chairs or be a bit bigger. Our room had the floor that was broken under a dirty carpet. The carpet was changed, but it gives impression with other details, that hotel is a bit old. The room was big so and especially the bathroom. The restaurant is very good. The Gateway is probably one of the best quality hotel in Varkala, the beach village has a lot of hôtels, but it is a bit a dirty area and I am not sure I would pick a hotel right there. Still possible to find ok places, I am sure, but not a 5*.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Feb 2016

Peter

An excellent hotel with great atmosphere .

Very caring staff, warm welcome on arrival. Splendid views over gardens and pool towards the beach. Spacious rooms.

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jan 2016

David

Relaxing, good value stay

Three day stay. Excellent value for money at the price I paid. Very friendly service. Good access to beach via private pathway.

8/10

Excellent

21 Jan 2016

Pavel

Enjoyable stay for 3 nights

This was a nice place to spend three days. The best things about the hotel are the pool which was a great size and was very clean, the free yoga in the morning and the standard of the rooms. Service was good in general, but there were one or two occasions when the staff looked a bit lost. If I had to be picky about the room, the bed was a little high, but otherwise we were very comfy.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Dec 2015

Verified traveler

Hotel is perfect for honeymooners n families.

Food is a bit expensive but other the rest r all good

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2015

Mosh

Fantastic hotel

It was a nice pleasant stay. The staff were very helpful. Only concern was mosquitos in the room. Otherwise we really enjoyed the views and the nature.

6/10

Pleasant

10 Nov 2015

aarti

Very ordinary food.Some dishes were tasteless.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Mar 2015

wendy

Good hotel

Very good hotel, food and service good, will probably be returning next year

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Mar 2015

Chris

Amazing!

Perfect touch of modern comfort that allows you to enjoy the heat and rustic charm of Varkala!

Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Jan 2015

jk

Very good hotel

We stayed at this hotel for one night. Wished we could have stayed longer. The staff were very helpful. The food was very good. The lady in her sari, forget her name now,was the most helpful at the reception. Next year, I want to go there and spend a fortnight.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jan 2015

Lesley

A great few days

Very clean hotel and lovely friendly staff. My friend and I were there for a few days before we moved on to another destination. We were there on New Years Eve - the hotel put on an excellent party with entertainment and enough fantastic food for the 'whole of India'!!

Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Dec 2014

gautam

Enjoyable stay and exploration

A very nice location, laid back, comfortable, friendly staff.
The hotel though very well maintained, needs some attention to details - given that it is 5 star category hotel. Probably one of the best in the neighbourhood, though.

Family