Kovalam - Accommodation In The Paradise Of The South

By Author: Rashmiranjan Patil
Total Articles: 261
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Kovalam is one of the most popular beaches of Kerala. Located at a distance of about 13 kilometers from the capital city of Tiruvananthapuram, Kovalam is an enchanting beach destination of Kerala. Kovalam literally means ‘Grove of Coconut Trees’. As the name suggests, Kovalam is interweaved with lofty coconut palms everywhere. Seated amidst picturesque surroundings, Kovalam is generally called the ‘Paradise of the South’.

Kovalam came to the limelight in 1920s when the Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai of Travancore built her beach resort here. By 1930s, the European guests of the Travancore Empire discovered the tourism potential of Kovalam. But it was the mass influx of hippies in the 1970s that propelled Kovalam into a major tourist destination of the country. Soon, the sleepy fishing village of Kovalam transformed itself into one of the most favoured beach destinations of the country.

Kovalam beach is 17 kilometers long, and consists of three beaches separated by boulder outcrops. The three beaches - Lighthouse, Hawa, and Samudram - together form the famous crescent of Kovalam beach.

Of the three, ...
... the Lighthouse beach is the largest of the three and got its name from the old Vizhinjam lighthouse located on the rocky protrusion (Kurumkal hillock) here. It is the most frequented beach of Kovalam. Hawa Beach (Eve's Beach), the second largest beach in Kovalam, got its name from the topless European women who used to throng the place. Samudra Beach is separated from other beaches of Kovalam by a large boulder. As such, it is not thronged by tourists like the other beaches. Samudra beach can be reached by de-touring past Kovalam junction or by walking along the sea wall. The Shallow waters of Kovalam beaches that extend for hundreds of metres present ideal settings for swimming.

Kovalam, as an international tourist destination is replete with accommodation options. Kovalam Hotels cover a wide range of categories like budget, premium, resort and luxury among others. Some of the prominent Kovalam Hotels are Hotel Uday Samudra, Leela, Kovalam Beach Resort, Taj Green Cove Resort, Sagara Beach Resort, Pappukutty Beach Resort, The Travancore Heritage, Palmshore Beach Resort, Coconut Bay Beach Resort, Country Spa Wellness Beach Resort, Country Club Treasure Cove, Kovalam Beach Retreat, Samudra Hotel, Thushara, Hotel, Hill & Sea View Beach Resort, Sea Face, Hotel, Surya Samudra Private Retreats, Turtle on the Beach, Hawah Beach Resort, Rockholm Hotel and Blue Sea Hotel, to list a few.

Some of the facilities offered by the Kovalam Hotels include Air Conditioned accommodation, laundry services, multi-cuisine restaurant, 24 hour coffee shop, pick and drop facilities, valet parking and internet connection, to list a few. Some Kovalam Hotels offer their guests various attractive packages as well as travel assistance.