Gateway Varkala – IHCL SeleQtions

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Gateway Varkala, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The IHCL SeleQtions brand was new to me, and you know how it is with chain hotels sometimes. But this place actually surprised me in the best way. It sits up in Janardhanapuram, which means you’re slightly removed from the main cliff action (where all the backpackers hang out), but that’s honestly a blessing if you want to sleep past sunrise without hearing someone’s questionable guitar skills echoing off the rocks.

The property itself feels like they really thought about the Kerala thing without going overboard with it. I mean, there are traditional touches everywhere – the woodwork in the lobby is gorgeous, and they’ve got these little courtyards that catch the breeze just right – but it doesn’t feel like a theme park version of South India. What really got me was how quiet it stays despite being a decent-sized place. The rooms face different directions, so even when they’re full (which happens a lot during peak season from December to March), you’re not dealing with hallway noise or people’s balcony conversations. The staff actually knows the area too, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how rare that is. They steered me toward this little temple walk that most tourists completely miss, and honestly, it was one of those perfect late afternoon moments you can’t plan.

Here’s the thing about the location – you’re maybe a 10-minute auto ride from the main Varkala cliff, but that distance works in your favor. You get the best of both worlds: easy access to the beach scene and restaurants when you want it, but you can actually relax at your hotel without the constant hustle. The pool area becomes this perfect refuge during the midday heat, and they’ve positioned it so you catch these glimpses of greenery that remind you you’re in Kerala, not just another beach town. Parking is straightforward (always a relief), and check-in was refreshingly quick – they had my room ready even though I showed up earlier than expected. Now, the 7.7 rating tells you it’s not perfection, and I get that. Some of the finishes could use updating, and the breakfast spread, while decent, isn’t going to blow your mind. But honestly? For what you’re getting – the location, the peace, that sense of being somewhere special without the chaos – it works really well. If you’re the type who wants to experience Varkala but also wants to come back to somewhere that feels like a proper retreat, this hits that sweet spot.