Escape to Paradise: Lagoona Beach Resort, Kovalam's Hidden Gem
Escape to Paradise: Lagoona Beach Resort, Kovalam's Hidden Gem
Escape to Paradise: Lagoona Beach Resort - My Kovalam Kerfuffle & Finding My Zen (Maybe)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm just back from Lagoona Beach Resort in Kovalam, and honestly? My experience was less idyllic paradise and more…well, life. Let’s just say it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but it certainly had its moments. This review is going to be messy, opinionated, and probably feature me rambling about the beach cats for a bit. Deal? Deal.
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- Keywords: Lagoona Beach Resort, Kovalam, India, Beach Resort, Accessible Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Wi-Fi, Reviews, Family-Friendly, Kerala, India Travel, Luxury Hotel, Budget Hotel, Affordable, Romantic Getaway, Solo Travel, Wellness Retreat, Fitness Center, Beaches, Spa, Massage, Accessible Rooms
- Meta Description: My honest, chaotic review of Lagoona Beach Resort in Kovalam! Dive into the good, the bad, and the beach-cat-infested details of my stay. Accessibility, spa experiences, dining, and EVERYTHING in between. (Spoiler: I'm still figuring out the whole "paradise" thing.)
Getting There & Settling In: A Coastal Comedy of Errors
Getting to Lagoona was relatively straightforward thanks to their airport transfer service. Bless them; the drive from Trivandrum Airport is a winding beauty, clinging to the coast with the ever-present smell of the sea… and the occasional whiff of fried fish from roadside eateries. Here’s where it gets a little… off. I'd requested an accessible room. The front desk folks were lovely, super smiley and speaking English. But the "lift" as they called it… well, it felt like it had been carved out of the rock face with a chisel. Okay, slight exaggeration, but it was definitely a slower, older lift, which I did appreciate, and got me to my room.
Room & Accessibility: Mostly Good, but…
My room itself? Clean, thankfully. My initial reaction was "Wow, this is nice" But it didn't hit me that the "sea view" was actually a side sea view. Okay, fine. I'm not known for my patience. The room was spacious and the bathroom was reasonably adapted, with grab bars and a roll-in shower. It’s worth mentioning, though, that while the rooms are advertised with accessibility in mind, the path to the pool wasn’t the smoothest situation in the world, there were a lot of dips, and bumps to navigate. I did mention this, and they seemed genuinely keen to improve.
Internet & Wi-Fi: The Digital Struggle is Real
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" they proclaimed. And… it mostly worked. Okay, let's be honest, it was patchy. Especially in the evenings. Streaming my favorite show was a battle of buffering. I'm not trying to run a business, but I did need to be online a little! But hey, at least there was Free Wi-Fi, Internet [LAN] and Internet services everywhere!
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Minor Disaster)
Alright, the food. This is where Lagoona really shines. Dining, drinking, and snacking at Lagoona was definitely the highlight of the trip. Restaurants, a la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant. The restaurant, overlooking the pool, served up a killer Asian breakfast, plus a solid Western breakfast. They have a decent buffet (especially on weekends), but the a la carte menu is where it's at. I practically inhaled the Malabar prawn curry; it was divine. I ordered like, 3 plates in a row. There was a coffee shop.
The Spa & Relaxation: Seeking Bliss, Found My Inner Chaos
Okay, this is where I had to laugh. I was so ready for the Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], and all that relaxing jazz. I booked a massage. The spa itself is gorgeous - serene, and all those relaxing smells. The massage? My therapist was lovely, but I think they'd had training or something because it felt more like a tickle-fight than a massage. Not great, I think the language barrier may have been an issue.
Cleanliness & Safety: Making Me Feel Slightly Less Paranoid
Look, in these times, how a place handles cleanliness is critical. Lagoona gets points for this. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. They even had Individually-wrapped food options to the maximum extent. They were going the extra mile. They made me feel safe.
Things To Do & The Great Outdoors: Beaches, Cats… and Repeat
Kovalam is all about the beach. You walk down to the beach with a bunch of steps, which as I mentioned before, wasn't the smoothest situation in the world regarding the accessibility, but it was manageable. The swimming pool [outdoor] was a definite highlight. Sunset, terrace, and terrace. It was magical.
And the cats. Oh, the beach cats! Wandering around, nonchalantly sunning themselves on the steps. I'm a sucker for furry friends, so I spent a ridiculous amount of time watching them. They became my Kovalam comrades, honestly. I found myself sneaking them little treats.
Services & Conveniences: Helpful Humans & the Occasional Hiccup
Okay, the staff at Lagoona are genuinely lovely. Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Laundry service, Luggage storage, and Wi-Fi for special events. They were super helpful and always smiling. The Air conditioning in public area was a lifesaver. The elevators were slow, but the staff was quick in helping.
For the Kids & Family Focus:
I didn't have any kids with me (thank god), but there seemed to be Family/child friendly, with Kids facilities, Babysitting service, and a Kids meal option.
The Overall Vibe: Rough Edges, but Solid Charm
Lagoona Beach Resort isn’t perfect. It's not slick, it's not flawless, and it definitely has its quirks. But it has a certain undeniable charm. The staff are genuinely warm. The food is delicious. The beach cats are delightful (and the sunsets, breathtaking). If you're looking for a meticulously polished five-star experience, this might not be it. But if you're after a relaxed, friendly, and relatively accessible (with a few caveats) escape to a genuinely beautiful part of the world, Lagoona is well worth a look.
My final verdict? I'd go back. I'd bring more cat treats. And I'd definitely order that prawn curry again. Just maybe skip the spa. And pack a good book to fight the patchy Wi-Fi!
My star rating? 4 out of 5 stars. (Minus one star for the slightly questionable massage and the occasional Wi-Fi drama!)
Shell Hotel Linqing: Luxury Near Liaocheng Bus Station!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized brochure itinerary. This is my Kovalam diary, straight from the sun-kissed (and sometimes sunburned) trenches of Lagoona Beach Resort. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect beachside chai.
Day 1: Arrival & Oh. My. God. The Ocean.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Travel Chaos (aka, the "Is This Really Happening?" Phase). Jet lag. That's the villain of this story, folks. My flight was delayed (shocking, I know). Then there was the baggage carousel tango – a dance of hope, despair, and the faint smell of airplane peanuts. Finally, finally, I clawed my way through the chaos and found my pre-booked driver, Vishnu. (Bless him, he managed to decode my travel weary grunts.)
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The Kovalam Crawl. The drive to Lagoona was…an experience. Every horn blast, every vibrant sarong – the sensory overload was real. Vishnu, bless him, navigated these chaotic roads with the grace of a seasoned street performer. Finally, the resort loomed – a hazy paradise in the distance.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Check-In and Bungalow Blink. The reception was charming but slow going, a testament to "Indian time." Finally, I was assigned my bungalow. And let me tell you, it was charming. Rustic, with a balcony that practically begged me to flop onto it. I unpacked with the practiced skill of a seasoned traveler, which mostly meant shoving everything into the closest drawer and collapsing.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The First Face-Plant into Freedom. I found my way to the beach. And then…the ocean. Honestly? I just stood there, gaping. The waves. The sand. The sheer breathtaking blue. I immediately threw myself onto the sand, letting the sun kiss my face. I felt like a newborn animal, just grateful to be alive, and the ocean was my nurturing mother. The beach was a paradise, and I spent the next hour basking in the glory of it all.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Sunset Siesta & Chai Craving. Sunset hour. I thought I'd be all Zen and philosophical, but mostly I just felt lazy! I'm usually a caffeine fiend, but the heat had me craving something different. That's when I found it - the perfect cup of chai. It was like sunshine in a mug. I could have stayed on that balcony forever, watching the sky turn from fiery orange to deep violet.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner Dilemma & Disasters. Dinner tonight was at the Ocean Grill. The food was average, but the ambiance was great. I ordered something, and when it arrived I couldn't tell what it was. But it was fine! I felt awkward trying to eat it with a fork and knife instead of my hands like everybody else, and I was completely embarrassed when a rogue crab scuttled across my feet. Trying to order another beer was a Herculean task, but hey, I was on vacation, and the beer eventually came.
Day 2: Beach Bliss & Body-Bending (Maybe a Little Too Much)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Yoga Fiasco. Okay, so I'd signed up for a sunrise yoga class. Reality? My body is not designed for pretzel poses at dawn. My instructor, bless her patience, spent most of the time trying to coax me off the floor. I felt like a clumsy orangutan. But the ocean view made it bearable. And I’ll admit, I felt a tiny bit virtuous afterwards, even if I couldn’t touch my toes. My body felt a bit like a rubber ducky, and I kind of liked it.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast Buffet Bonanza. The buffet was a treasure trove! Fresh fruit, fluffy dosas, and spicy sambar. I ate way too much. Absolutely no regrets.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Sun, Sand, and…Sunburn. Back to the beach! I thought I was careful with the sunscreen. I was also wrong. I fell asleep on the beach, and woke up looking like a lobster. Lesson learned: Never trust your own sun protection judgment. I spent the afternoon alternating between shrieking and applying aloe vera. My skin was on FIRE.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Ayurvedic Adventure (or, What Did I Sign Up For?). Feeling sun-blasted, I decided to brave an Ayurvedic massage. This involved a lot of oil, expert hands, and the occasional involuntary groan. I emerged feeling…oiled. And relaxed. And weirdly hungry. Maybe I will try to do some research on Ayurvedic massages.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Beach Walk & Bailing The beach seemed deserted which was a delightful surprise! I walked along the beach, watching the stars, and listening to the waves. I decided to go back to my room because the thought of people watching from me and staring was too much.
Day 3: Exploring & Exhaustion
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast & Beach Sigh. Breakfast was a buffet. The beach beckoned, and I was in the ocean before the waves had a chance to wake up.
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Day Trip Debacle (Vizhinjam). I hired a tuk-tuk (the best decision of my life) to take me to Vizhinjam, a nearby fishing village. This was the real India. Raw. Unfiltered. Smelling of fish. The local fishermen offered rides on their boats, and I gladly said yes. The water was gorgeous, their life, and the way they lived on the day-to-day was different, and raw. I saw a temple, and I got to experience the community of a town. But the sun began to set and I craved going back to Lagoona.
7:00 PM - Until…: Room Service, Retreat, and Recharging. After a whirlwind experience of exploring, I finally gave in. I ordered room service, ate a late lunch, and decided to unwind, relax, and recharge.
9:00 PM: I'm out! Finally fell asleep, after an eventful day of exploring.
The Verdict (So Far):
Lagoona Beach Resort is a bit rough around the edges, a little loud, probably a little more money than I was expecting. But, in the end, it is wonderful. The people are incredibly friendly, the beach is a slice of heaven, they have great food even if I don't know what it is, and the chai is a godsend. I'm exhausted, slightly sunburned, and probably going to spend the next week trying to peel off the aloe vera. But I'm also happy.
P.S. I still can't quite figure out how to eat dosas with my hands. Progress, not perfection! And seriously, people, wear more sunscreen!
To be continued… (If I survive the next few days!)
Caribou's BEST Kept Secret? This Hotel Will SHOCK You!
Okay, spill the tea: Is Lagoona Beach Resort *really* a hidden gem? Or just, you know, kinda hidden and...gem-adjacent?
Alright, buckle up. "Hidden gem" is a strong phrase. It's not like you trip over it while trying to find a decent cup of coffee. You kinda *have* to look for it, which already gives it points. I mean, Kovalam's crawling with resorts, right? But Lagoona? You turn down a lane, past some houses... and THEN, BAM! It's there. And yeah… GEM-adjacent, I think is fair. It's not a flawless diamond, okay? (More like a slightly chipped, but beautiful, amethyst if you ask me.) It has character – which is code for "a few quirks." More on those later.
The website's all sunshine and smiles. What's the *real* deal with the rooms? Specifically, the AC, because I'm a sweaty mess by default.
Okay, AC. This is *vital* information. My first time there? I was sweating so profusely, I swear I could've watered the plants myself. Now, the website, bless their hearts, paints a rosy picture, right? "Luxurious accommodations!" "Ocean views!" (Which, to be fair, *are* lovely.) Let me be blunt: check the room reviews. Really, *really* check them. Some rooms are PERFECT. Some… are less perfect. My first room? The AC sounded like a dying walrus. It worked, eventually, but man, I needed a *nap* just to recharge after wrestling with the blasted thing. But it's Kovalam! Things break. The management, to their credit, dealt with it. So, yeah, ask specifics about the AC before you commit. And maybe pack a battery-powered fan. Just in case. (You'll thank me.)
And the food? Give me the lowdown on the restaurant. I'm a picky eater, prone to hangry meltdowns.
The restaurant... okay. I'll be honest. The first morning? I was *starving*. My internal monologue was basically a grumpy toddler demanding pancakes. The menu, honestly, isn't extensive. It's not Vegas buffet-level insane, which is a *good* thing, sometimes. They do a decent Kerala breakfast – dosas, idlis, the works. And the *view* from the restaurant? Spectacular. You're literally overlooking the beach. So even if the food isn't Michelin-star worthy (it's not, let's be real), the ambiance more than makes up for it. The staff? They are absolute sweethearts. I can be pretty demanding when I'm hangry – I'm working on it, therapy is expensive – and they were always incredibly patient. Always. And the seafood? Get the seafood. Fresh, flavorful… *delicious*. Don't expect perfection; expect a really, really good time. Just maybe pack some snacks.
Beach access? Is it a long trek? Or can I roll out of bed onto the sand? (Dreaming, I know.)
Beach access is A-MA-ZING. You are not rolling directly out of bed onto the sand - sorry to burst your bubble. You've got a short, pleasant walk. Like, five minutes tops. Through the garden, past some palm trees... lovely. It's not a grueling uphill climb or anything. The beach itself is... *chef's kiss*. Clean-ish. Kovalam beaches are… well, they're public, so sometimes there's a bit of… stuff. But mostly? Gorgeous. Perfect for sunsets. Perfect for watching the fishermen. Perfect for just… existing. The hotel provides beach towels too, which is a massive win. Don't forget sunscreen, your hat, and maybe a good book. Or just stare at the waves. That's always a good option.
Okay, so I'm a bit of a pool person. What's the deal with *that*?
The pool. Right. Here's where things get...interesting. It's not Olympic-sized, let's get that straight. It's a perfectly decent pool, though. Clean. You know, chlorine-y. There are sunbeds. (And, if you're like me, you'll probably spend most of your time trying to angle yourself so you get the *perfect* amount of sun.) But. There's a potential issue. On my *one* visit? The pool was a bit... crowded. Not insane, not shoulder-to-shoulder, but definitely busy. The real kicker? The kids playing in it. And the noise. And the splash fights. Now, I love kids. I do! But after a long day of the beach, all I wanted was peace. My advice? If you're a hardcore pool person, go early, or check when they do their cleaning.
Service: Are the staff helpful? Or constantly trying to sell you something (annoying!)
Oh, the staff! Bless 'em. This is *definitely* a highlight. No, they aren't pushy. They want you to be happy; it's in their DNA. They're genuinely friendly without being annoyingly so. They'll help you with anything, from arranging taxis to recommending local spots. I once accidentally locked myself out of my room (clumsy, I know). They were there in a FLASH, smiling and ready to help. They were polite, fast and helped me out. No drama. No eye-rolling. Just genuine helpfulness. That's worth *gold* in my book. They make the place feel like a friendly home. A home with a beach, and, you know, better food than I can cook.
What about the spa? Should I bother?
Okay, the spa. Here's my *deeply* considered, and slightly biased, opinion: YES. Go. Just… go. I had a massage there. One of the best massages of my LIFE. Seriously. The atmosphere is tranquil, the therapists are skilled, and the treatments are… *divine*. (I think I actually drooled a little bit.) The prices are reasonable too, unlike some hyper-fancy resort spas. You're in Kovalam, the home of Ayurvedic medicine – use that to your advantage! Book it, seriously. You won't regret it. Just… try not to snore. They might judge. (I may or may not have been judged).
Anything to watch out for, or things I should know before I go, other than the AC situation?
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