Resort living is not the usual image that springs to mind when thinking of India. But in Trivandrum…the Surya Samudra Beach Resort rates up there with the worlds most charming escapes.
Surya Samudra began as a single octagonal stone house thirty miles from the tip of India and just a few minutes from the historic Vizhinjam harbour (pronounced as Virinyam) Today, it has grown into an eco-friendly beach resort with 23 houses spread over nearly 20 acres of private space and each house comes with a luxuriant foliage of coconut, palm, bamboo, banana, wild shrubs, flowers and the chirping of birds.
Individual cottages or houses make up the resort, call bells at the door have been avoided since the sound is jarring and each terrace has a granite-topped table and stools cut from granite pillars where one can sit and watch the waves lash against the cliff throwing little water beads against the azure sky.
"The swimming pool here has a line-up of balikkallu, small granite usually seen in the inner courtyard of temples which add to the rustic ambience of the resort." Perfectly in tune with nature, the swimming pool is a natural rock pool without any tiles on the floor.
Guests are accommodated, not in mere rooms or suites but a choice of modern or traditional houses, the former built of stone with soaring roofs…the others are traditional Kerala wooden residences, transplanted from their original sites.
Whole tharawads (traditional Kerala houses) have been purchased and reassembled here as cottages. They have been converted into elevated structures, keeping in mind the need for free flow of space to facilitate unhindered movement and natural ventilation. Windows serve as doors while writing desks face the sea. Bathroom-cum-toilets or 'bath gardens' are open air, protected by the slopes on all sides and each house has an open-air cafeteria.
More than 100 years old, with intricate carvings and heavy shutters…these cottages have outdoor garden showers, wide verandas and, like all the accommodation, are surrounded by terraced tropical gardens. Bliss. Recommended: the Ibis or Myna rooms furnished with squatter chairs, bamboo beds and mind-blowing views of the ocean.
Dine at the restaurant called "the Octopus", famous for its excellent seafood, fresh vegetables, genuine Kerala dishes, home-made cakes and ice creams.
Trips around Surya Samudra can be undertaken to view the beautiful backwaters, temples and local areas. The resort can make arrangements for them.
Experience the traditional Indian healing sciences of Ayurveda and Yoga, kept alive here, as a tradition.
Room Categories :
3 Small Beach Cottages (Non A/c) : 1 North, 1 South and 1 East.
3 Private Cottages : 1 Papaya (A/c), 1 Palm(A/c), 1 Prince (Non A/c)
5 Garden Cottages : 4 Rock Garden (A/c), 1 Banyan (Non A/c)
5 Sea Front Rooms : Polygon, Mosque View, Cape View, Ibis, Myna.
4 Garden Bungalows : Cinnamon Garden(Non A/c), Bamboo Garden(Non-A/c), Banyan Tree Garden (A/c), Pandanus(Non A/c).
1 Sea Front Deluxe : Octagon (Non A/c)
Extra bed: 20% more. Children below 6 years, if no extra bed is required, stay free
