Neeleshwar Hermitage

Well off the beaten track in an area where few tourists venture, Neeleshwar Hermitage is an absolutely heavenly boutique beach hotel. The property is hidden away among swaying palms and endless golden sands near Bekal on northern Kerala’s Malabar Coast, and if you are on your honeymoon, or would simply like to end your journey through South India by relaxing and being pampered in exclusivity on the edge of the Arabian Sea, Neeleshwar is really rather special.

Your stay at Neeleshwar is in a self-contained contemporary thatched cottage, modelled on one of the traditional local fishermen’s cottages, and all offer gorgeous views either of the lush gardens or the Arabian Sea. Each is generously appointed and comes with a vibrant, fresh colour scheme, stylishly finished with local antiques, top quality linens and bathroom amenities, and state-of-the-art technology. All have a private courtyard, balcony and indoor and outdoor bathrooms, and some come with their own pool for further privacy.

Neeleshwar’s superb spa offers a wide choice of treatments such as traditional Ayurvedic massages, purification regimes, aromatherapy and rejuvenation therapies. You can also take part in expertly led yoga and deep meditation classes. The attention to detail is evident everywhere, from the smiling, ‘nothing is too much trouble’ service to the meticulously prepared cuisine, featuring sensationally fresh seafood overlooking the infinity pool at the beachside Meenakshi restaurant, or authentic local vegetarian specialities at the Annapurna restaurant.

While poolside relaxation and slow strolls along the beach to Olive Ridley turtle nesting sites in season are the main order of the day, staying at Neeleshwar also provides a wonderful chance to explore a part of Kerala that few travellers visit. We can arrange for you to discover the stunning Valiyaparamba backwaters, spending a night in Neeleshwar’s stylishly converted rice barge, the Lotus Houseboat; cycle along quiet country lanes through the paddies for a glimpse of local village life; or head into nearby Bekal to explore its romantic coastal fort. Best of all, though, is the privileged opportunity that a stay at Neeleshwar affords to enter into the rich spiritual and cultural traditions unique to the region, attending one of the extraordinary masked theyyam dances or visiting small jungle shrines and temples that are home to age-old snake cults.