Gateway Varkala

The location is good and the hotel is just fine. Need some renovation around the path leading to beach. Many opt for this location for ease of access to beaches, if that is not maintained it will lead to disappointment. The SPA is not per the expectation and the maintenance of the spa is very bad. Food is above average. The buffet breakfast is fine but lacks variety for those staying longer. Overall it was a good experience. The attender at the pool Mr. Babu is very good, he should be awarded for his fine service. Overall the hotel staff are polite and well mannered and hear to our concerns.

2 years ago

Our stay at Gateway Varkala was truly unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with exceptional hospitality and genuinely warm, friendly service. The property is stunning, the rooms are beautiful and comfortable, and every detail made for a relaxing stay. I had brought my parents here to celebrate their anniversary, and the team went above and beyond to make it special. Despite it being a last-minute request, they arranged a lovely eggless anniversary cake, which meant so much to us. One of the most memorable experiences was the sapling planting session. It was such a thoughtful and wholesome gesture- it genuinely felt like we were leaving a small part of ourselves behind, making this place even more special to us. We also joined the local tour arranged by the property, and it was fantastic. It gave us a wonderful glimpse into the culture and beauty of the area. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made our stay so memorable, especially Mr. Sudeep, whose kindness and attention to detail made all the difference. We left with beautiful memories and can't wait to return. Highly recommended!

a month ago

My mother and I had a truly memorable stay at Gateway Varkala. The warmth, genuine care, and exceptional hospitality extended by the entire team will remain with us for a long time.|A very special thank you to Mithila and her team for welcoming both of us with so much warmth and affection. They made us feel at home from the moment we arrived, and their thoughtful service made our stay even more special.||The property itself is absolutely beautiful. We especially loved the elegant layout of the reception and lounge areas, which create a calm and welcoming atmosphere. The traditional cultural performance during hi-tea was a delightful experience and added a wonderful local touch to our stay.||The breakfast spread was excellent, with a wide variety of delicious options. A special mention to Gokul and the restaurant team for their attentive service and hospitality throughout our meals. What impressed us the most was the quality of the food—even the fried dishes were light, fresh, and not oily, which reflects the care taken in food preparation.|Thank you once again to the entire Gateway Varkala team for making our stay so memorable. We look forward to returning and creating many more wonderful memories.

a month ago

We recently stayed at the property with our infant, and while there were a few positives, the overall experience unfortunately fell short of what we have come to expect from the Taj brand. On arrival, there was no security at the gate, and once we reached the entrance, there was no staff available to greet or assist us for at least three minutes. This was particularly difficult as we were travelling with a young infant and luggage. The room was allotted fairly quickly once we were attended to, which we appreciated however we were not offered a baby cot or cradle. However, the experience afterwards was rather disappointing. The snacks counter was closed quite early, and when we enquired, we were not offered even a cup of tea. Given that we were travelling with a baby, a little warmth, empathy and proactive hospitality would have made a significant difference. We had specifically booked a sea-view room, but the room and the view were only decent. Unfortunately, we have experienced resorts offering considerably better sea views, rooms and service at almost half the price. This made it difficult to feel that we were receiving the premium Taj experience we had paid for. The breakfast spread was decent, although the food was largely underwhelming in terms of taste, with the exception of the uzhunnu vada and coffee. On a positive note, we genuinely appreciated the team accommodating our request for a 1.5-hour late check-out because our baby was sleeping. That gesture showed the kind of understanding and flexibility we had hoped to experience throughout our stay. Overall, the stay felt closer to a standard 3-star hotel experience than the warm, thoughtful and exceptional hospitality we associate with Taj. For a brand known for its service and attention to detail, this was disappointing. We hope the management takes this feedback constructively, as these small details make a significant difference—especially when guests are travelling with a young infant.

2 weeks ago

Amazing property with good sea-view rooms. Exceptional hospitality (as expected from Taj hotels), very helpful staff. Thanks to Midhila and Reji who took care of us during our stay. Breakfast buffet had a decent spread. Room service was good and quite fast. Only thing to note is that there's no lift, so please be mindful of the floor you ask for. They will help you with the luggage, of course. Good space to park personal vehicles, and there's a small park for children too. Pool was nice. Decor and ambience was also very good. Varkala cliff and beach is a short drive away. Overall, we had a great time here and would totally recommend this place for a relaxing vacation.

a month ago