Description
The Leela Kempinski has 186 guest rooms spread over 44 acres overlooking two long beaches. The hotel is built on the rock-face, and most rooms have beautiful views due to the high elevation. The de luxe Club Wing offers excellent sea view rooms, located high up with a separate club lounge, ocean rim infinity swimming pool and superbly furnished rooms. The Beach view wing offers sea-facing rooms designed in an ethnic Keralan theme and all come with the modern amenities. Finally, the Pavilion Wing has 42 rooms and is located on the ground level.
There is a delightful swimming pool which opens out from the lobby on the top floor, offering truly exceptional views of the sea. The hotel has two restaurants – a main restaurant with a wood-fire pizza oven and buffet and a Beach Restaurant. There is also a bar offering excellent views and a Pool lounge offering snacks. There is a spa offering Ayurveda and Wellness treatments. The hotel also has a range of activities on offer from tennis to yoga.
Guide price
£1,558
per person
£1,558 price based on 7 nights in a Deluxe Beach View Room on a B&B basis from January to April 2010, return flights with Emirates and private transfers
Accommodation
The Leela Kempinski offers 186 Rooms - 70 Beach View Superior Rooms, 16 Beach View Deluxe Rooms, 2 Beach View Deluxe Suites, 20 Garden View Pavilion Rooms, 22 Sea View Pavilion Rooms, 49 Sea View Club Rooms, 6 Club Suites and 1 Duplex Suite.
Childcare
Children are welcome but there are no specific facilities.
Facilities
Facilities at the Leela include a spa, gym, activity centre, tennis and badminton courts and 2 restaurants serving Oriental, Continental and Indian cuisine along with local Keralan specialities. There is also a bar, gift shop, library, Mahon pool, cafe (Club only), Club Pool and Club Spa.
Activities
Activities at the hotel include use of the Ayurveda and Wellness spa, badminton, beach volleyball, use of the fitness centre, jogging, library snooker, table tennis, tennis and yoga. The hotel also offers a variety of excursions and day picnics in the surrounding area.
Services
Services at the hotel include yoga lessons, 24 hour in room dining, laundry, concierge and there is also a doctor on call.
When to travel
Isolated from much of India by the Western Ghats, the climate of Kerala & Karnataka is tropical and as a result of the mountain ranges the area isn’t as dry as much of India. The best time to visit is from April through June. While there can be the occasional light showers these are just a prelude of the wet weather to come. The weather is generally hot and humid during this early summer. The monsoon season arrives in late June and thus can wash out July and August. September is much more humid as a result of the rainy season, and the fall can be dry but with the humidity this makes it feel quite the warm. The temperatures cool down and the humidity lets up as winter comes in around December, with this season lasting until February when the dry spring returns. Winter can be a pleasant time to visit, especially if you’re looking to head off the beach and explore this Indian land of mystery.
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Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Not applicable
Location and directions
Kovalam, Kerala, India
Kerala’s largest beachside resort, The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach, is set in a beautifully verdant location, hugging the rocky shoreline between two private beaches, offering wonderful panoramic views of the famed Kovalam shoreline.
How to get there
13-hour flight (1 change) to Trivandrum International Airport. The Leela Kempinski is a 40-minute drive from the airport.
