Vivanta by Taj at Bekal, Kerala - Hotel Review

Taj group of hotels in India were started wayback in 1903 and are famous for hospitality and good management throughout Asia and overseas.

Located in the prime sites of the country, the synonyms for Taj hotels are warmth, cordiality and luxury.

The Taj group has hotels in cities, beaches, hill stations, historical and pilgrim centres and wildlife destinations.

Taj hotels are known for their modern amenities and business facilities. 

I had to be on a short business tour for two days to northern Kerala. It was actually a dream come true for me and my family to roam around northern Kerala. We were looking for accommodation and came across Vivanta by Taj at Bekal. The hotel is very stylish and sophisticated.

As we drove in, I realised we were entering into a different world. A beautiful pond with lilies and fountains in lobby welcomes you. The location is very calm and serene. The external appearance of this Taj hotel is truly amazing and on first entry it gave me a feeling that I have gone ages back into history. Unlike my other hotel experiences, the staff at front desk were cheerful and very welcoming. After check in, a staff took us to the rooms in a buggy. The view of the cottages was quite striking and different.

The internal appearance of the rooms at this Taj hotel is also very appealing. All fittings in the room are modern. The bathroom is huge with a beautiful king size tub. On entry to the bathroom, there is a walk in shower beside the bathtub. There is a small covered balcony which has an open shower. There are huge wooden windows with art between the room and the bathroom. Bathroom is big and cleanliness is maintained. Room is cleaned every day and fruits, toiletries and minibar are replenished every day.

Our room had another balcony with a swing. The view from the balcony of this Taj hotel is stunning. From our room we could see backwaters which flows by, where the guests go for kayaking. The opposite side of the backwaters is full of greenery right now and is very relaxing and calm. This Taj hotel in Kerala has taken advantage of the natural beauty of Kerala while designing the entire property.

The spa at Taj is quite big and it has many different facilities like massages, wraps and scrubs, aromatherapy, deep tissue massage, foot massage, yoga, meditation and different types of Ayurveda treatments. For all these treatments, they claim to use products made from natural ingredients.

You will experience tranquillity through these treatments and they are definitely proven ways to promote wellness and health. The ambience of the Jiva spa at Taj hotel is very satisfying. The employees here are very friendly, informal and proactive in taking care of you. It is a really calming experience.

Kayaking is done in backwaters flowing by the side of the Taj hotel and it is a very beautiful experience. Here we do self-propulsion in a small boat where two people can sit. You can take strokes in the water using paddles and learn the technique quickly.

While paddling you feel really connected to water and nature. Life jacket is provided by the guards. In case if any one requires assistance, guards accompany them in another boat. You can reach the beach in a kayak. Kayaking here is really safe and a pleasurable experience.

I liked the food at the Taj restaurant and I must say it is not only the cooking, but the cheerfulness of the chefs that make the difference here. Chefs will be in touch with each of the guests and will be asking whether they want to cook any thing for us specially. The chefs are ready to cook something for you every day. The Sāmbhar for the breakfast and the different types of pickles were remarkable. We also enjoyed continental breakfast buffet which had cornflakes, bread, croissants, muffins and freshly sliced fruit platter, freshly brewed coffee and tea and fresh juices. Latitude is the name of the Taj restaurant here. On request the food is served at the pavilion overlooking the backwaters and even at the beach.

The beach here is a private beach maintained by the Taj hotel at Bekal. The beach is magnificent. But the people at Taj may alert you about the strong tides and winds if you want to go for swimming. Because of the uneven seafloor, the waves here are very strong and may come and hit you like a strong wall. There are beds for sunbathing provided by Taj. The beach is a beautiful place to watch the sunset and the night sky.

Bekal Fort - It is spread over about 25 acres of land which was built around 300 years old and was built by the then King Shivappu Nayak. The fort has beautiful patches of lawn and a breath taking view of the Arabian Sea.

Ananthapura temple - This is a beautiful lake temple which is around 15 km from the Taj hotel. The temple is the moolasthana (original seat) of Sree Padmanabha. The temple has a crocodile in the lake which is called “Babia”. The temple is around 3000 years old and is a must see. This temple though very near to the taj hotel has been untouched by tourists. Vehicle for the trip to Bekal fort and Ananthapura temple may be arranged from the Taj.

The cool and informal attitude of the employees and charming and pleasant hospitality make you feel very wanted and at home. The staffs whom you come across the premises of the Taj hotel greet you every time with a smiling face. I was amazed at the attitude of employess taking one extra step to enquire about the stay and I would say that their efforts made my stay at Vivanta by Taj memorable.