Villa Jacaranda
Varkala, Kerala
A charming and peaceful 4-room guesthouse in Varkala, with rooftop terrace, fragrant garden and veranda views of the Arabian Sea
Varkala is a laid-back beach town on the Keralan coast. A favourite
with backpackers for years, it’s become increasingly popular
with general holiday-makers, most of whom stay on the colourful but
busy North Cliff. Villa Jacaranda provides a friendly and
comfortable alternative on the South Cliff, a tranquil area just 5
minutes’ walk from the dramatic Papanasham beach.
Fronted by two jacaranda trees and deep pink bougainvillea, the
guesthouse is set on the bend of a quiet road, with views of the
distant sea from its veranda. The 4 rooms are simply furnished and
decorated in soft pastel colours, although perhaps just a little
tired. All have pretty, blue-railed verandas for reading and dining
and there’s a large rooftop terrace with many a potted plant
for the exclusive use of room 4, together with a lush garden with a
lily pond for everyone to enjoy. Owner-manager Ajay, who used to
live in England, is a keen gardener and cook and is usually around
to look after you. You can relax on the beach, visit local temples,
go cliff-top shopping, join a yoga class, have an Ayurvedic massage
or chill out on the nearby Kerala backwaters.
Reviewed by Caroline Sylger-Jones
Last updated 10 April 2012
Highs
- It’s on South Cliff, which is quieter, more mellow and more private than the busier and more developed North Cliff
- The verandas and rooftop terrace provide pretty little outdoor spaces to eat, drink, read and watch the sun set into the just-glimpsed Arabian sea - ideal for escaping for a little while
- The small garden with lily pond is full of fragrant flowers, dappled light and many a butterfly and bird
- Soulful singing from the nearby temple provides a lovely twice-daily soundtrack
Lows
- There’s currently no air conditioning so rooms can get hot, although fans are provided
- Standards sometimes slip if owner-manager Ajay is away, though he's normally around
- Varkala's very strong currents can make swimming at Papanasham beach dangerous, so pay close attention to the lifeguards and warning flags
- There are no phones for room service, or any common sitting or dining areas - this is somewhere you come for privacy, seclusion and relaxation
