Reviews of Uday Samudra Beach Hotel, Kovalam, India

We recently returned from 2wks...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

DebBowers

Comments:

We recently returned from 2wks at the Uday Samudra hotel in Kovalam in Kerala. It was our first time to India and we went with First Choice which was a fairly comfortable flight with a bit more legroom than we had expected. The hotel we chose looked very nice in the brochure but always aware that pictures can be deceiving we were prepared it might not be quite as good. We weren't at all disappointed though. We arrived to a warm welcome and given a drink while we waited to check in which didn't take too long. We were very pleased with our room which was on the top floor of the "Atrium" (there are lifts) it was large with a nice big furnished balcony that looked out to the backwaters and a side view of the sea. It was very clean, had a good size bathroom with a great shower almost like a small wet room, tea/coffee making facilities, large tv with a couple of English channels, fridge, even had plug-in mossie things in the room and bathroom so didn't need to use ones we'd brought. The only negative was that there wasn't any drawer space other than 2 little bedside ones, all clothes etc had to be stored in the wardrobe but we managed well enough. The room was cleaned daily and towels and bedding changed daily too. Tea/coffee etc topped up regularly. On the odd occassion we had to ask for something we did find service was very slow such as when the room boy broke one of our mugs he said he would get another but it took about 3 requests/days before we finally got a replacement. No big deal but we did occasionaly witness people getting quite stroppy over bad/slow service. I felt that often it was a case of the odd member of staff/worker not really understanding the request but still smiling and making out they did which of course could be a bit frustrating. We found mostly everyone to be so friendly and helpful. We were on bed&breakfast which we found perfectly adequate, enough choice for us. Tea, coffee fruit, juices, cereals, toast and eggs cooked to order. Indian breakfast too. We tried the evening buffet and enjoyed it so much ate there every night except for one when we went to Molly's just outside the hotel, had an excellent meal there, and 2 nights when we were away on a trip. There were 3 courses and plenty of choice so we always found something we liked. There are 3 pools around the gardens of the hotel and as in most places the usual "early risers" who reserve their beds by placing books or towels on them even though you aren't supposed to. Occasionally it would be difficult to get a sun shade but usually there was a bed somewhere free. The hotel is right by the beach which isn't the most attractive one but ok for going for a paddle in or watching the local fisherman pulling in their nets. Its a smallish working beach but the nice thing is there was rarely any hassleing other than a lady selling fruit or a few of the local restaurant owners telling you about their place. Unlike Lighthouse beach further along which we didn't like, a lot of hassleing and as with Samudra beach the sea was far too choppy for us to swim in. We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday as it was a nice mix of hectic sightseeing and just chilling out. We took lots of pens&pencils for school children and also villagers we met that seemed to want them. We went along the backwaters which was really relaxing and interesting,went to Cochin and stayed overnight.Up into the hills past the tea plantations which was very scenic and to Periyar wildlife reserve but unfortunately hardly saw any animals. We stayed overnight in Kumily at a homestay which was basic but really nice and in the heart of a residential area so another experience finding our way around and getting lost at night in the dark down narrow little streets then having a big animal with horns walk towards us! A tuk-tuk driver came to our rescue and took us back to our homestay.I had lots of reservations before going on this holiday but I needn't have worried. The food was wonderful and we never had any stomach problems at all which I was amazed at considering the variety of food we ate and some of the places we ate in. The people were so friendly and polite.The traffic and driving was a nightmare and some public toilets were best avoided but other than that I wouldn't have missed this holiday for anything and have so many great memories.

Me and my mum got a last min...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2008

Tour Operator:

Jewel holidays

Submitted By:

Miss A Moya

Comments:

Me and my mum got a last min holiday here on the 8th Feb. Kerala its self is fantastic!!! After exploring the different beaches we were very glad of our location away from the buzz of Lighthouse beach but only a 5 min tuttut ride in. The Uday was a nice hotel with friendly staff and a good breakfast, the pools and facilities were very good and our room was 10 paces from the beach! The room itself could have done with serious referbishment but it was clean, had a big bed, a fridge and aircon so we were comfortable. If I had paid more for this holiday I think I would have been a little disapointed with the room though.

One place I would reccomend for dinner is 3rd Rock, on the beach outside of the hotel. The food was amazing, eating with your toes in the sand looking at the sea. The fish in banana leaf was to die for, and JJ the owner is to this day one of the kindest and hospitable individuals I have meet. I will be coming back next year and will stay at this hotel, due to the location and great staff. If you go to 3rd rock say hi from Ali and Carol. Have a great holiday!!!!!!

We took this holiday on the...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Dec 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs J E Corsar

Comments:

We took this holiday on the 14/12/07, an Xmas break.



I have to say after reading some of the reviews on this hotel I was very worried and even looked at changing hotels, but my husband said no leave it.



Anyway I could not believe how wonderful it was! I would recommend anyone going there.



The room was great and the staff very friendly, yes they are a bit slow at doing things but then you’re on holiday so what's the rush??



We ate at the hotel for the 1st day or so until we found our feet then we started to use the bars outside the hotel. One bar I will say is a must is the 3rd Rock Cafe on the beach great company and great food!!



We took a boat trip to back waters of Kerala for a night and this is a must great day and evening it cost us 130 pounds but what a time we had! We booked this outside the tour operator as we got a better deal.



I did not like Light House Beach to much found it too busy and you do get hassled to buy things there. But that is the only fault I could find.



As I said it was a lovely place and one of the best holidays we have ever had it was that good that we are looking at going back in Nov 08.

Gorgeous hotel in lovely...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs S E  Craven

Comments:

Gorgeous hotel in lovely picturesque surroundings. Friendly, helpful staff.



We had a lovely spacious room overlooking the sea, with a lovely balcony, with flowers growing in tubs with great air con and ceiling fan, lots of space to sit and relax inside if you wanted to, not that we did as the weather was fantastic.



Breakfasts were very varied and the odd meal that we had in the hotel was very good.



The hotel arranged entertainment every night .While we were there it was the Kovalam Festival on the beach, and we were entertained for 1 week with acrobats, fire eaters, Indian dancing, pop groups and as we had direct access from our hotel to the beach through a gate manned by the hotel security, it was amazing and the food sold at the stalls was excellent.



The resort is very relaxing; we had some marvellous evening meals at 3rd Rock from the sun, looked after by Sajhd and his crew, and sat by the water’s edge on an evening watching the twinkling lights of the fishing boats. Heaven and the food was out of this world.



Nice walk to Lighthouse Beach, not too many beach hawkers, and those that were there were very friendly and left you alone if you wished.



Hired a scooted and travelled around visiting lots of touristy places. The hotel arranged a trip to as they call it lands end where the 3 seas meet and we watched the sunset there. Visited the wooden place and temple where we had to pay to crawl through a hole to exit, that was a bit of a rip off.



Had a ride on an elephant which was an amazing if not scary experience this was arranged by Ashat a local fisherman who took us there by air con taxi and also arranged a boating trip on one of the back waters.



A must do there is an overnight trip on the rice boats on the lake, we were lucky to have this organised by Ashat again, and we ate fresh prawns the size of your palms, watching the sun set and stars laid out on the cushions at the front of the boat.



The bedrooms are amazing and the rice boats have air con, and the staff are so helpful nothing is too much trouble. A must to take are as the local children say "school pens" that was the only thing that anyone asked for all the time we were there.



I loved Goa but Kerala is less commercial, greener, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and the people are not always on the take so to speak.



Visit now before this beautiful area is spoilt.

Really great hotel, could not...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Dec 2006

Tour Operator:

Airtours

Submitted By:

Mrs J Stagg

Comments:

Really great hotel, could not fault anything. Kerala is a lovely place, with lovely people.



If your teeth need doing and you have the time and money, it is really cheap to get done whilst you are out there.



We were a bit worried about staying there as we had read bad reports, but there was nothing to worry about. There is a lot of building work going on, but this did not interfere with us at all.



The children are really grateful of any pens or pencils if you have room to take them.



Try and visit before it gets too touristy.

About 2 Kilometers away from the...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jan 2006

Tour Operator:

Manos

Submitted By:

P Motley

Comments:

About 2 Kilometers away from the busier Lighthouse beach and located in a tranquil setting away from the main hustle and bustle but still centered around a few beach shacks including restaurants and various vendors.



The hotel is situated almost on the beach and they supply sun beds and waiters on the beach itself. A choice of hotel restaurants with the main one serving high quality food with the added advantage of background entertainment whilst you eat on most nights alternatively they can organise an intimate dinner on the beach itself.



The rooms well fitted out and spacious, all with air conditioning. The hotel has all amenities including 2 pools, gym and its own ‘ajuvedic’ centre set in very spacious grounds and at the time we stayed another block was being built. We could not fault the service or hospitality, nothing was too much trouble and we would have no hesitation in returning.



We went as part of a package but have since viewed the rates which look more than reasonable. Incidentally the hotel is also the choice for the Air India staff.