Leela

Kovalam


Scented by frangipanis, the sumptuous Leela sprawls across the headland separating Hawa and Samudra beaches. Spacious, smartly designed rooms have colourful textiles, Keralan artwork and sea or garden views. The sophisticated Terrace Restaurant sits beside the show-stealing clifftop infinity pool, and there's an ayurvedic spa as well as a gym, a 'private' beach, yoga and dance performances.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kovalam attractions

1. Samudra Beach

0.14 MILES

Around the headland north of Hawa Beach, Samudra's sandy blonde expanse is overlooked by a gold-and-green mosque and the five-star Leela resort.

2. Mosque

0.23 MILES

Painted in gold, cream and lime green, this modern mosque sits on Samudra Beach.

3. Hawa Beach

0.37 MILES

Popular with domestic day trippers, Hawa Beach is a busy sandy strand just north of Lighthouse Beach.

4. Lighthouse Beach

0.67 MILES

A powdery stretch of gold-and-black sand, Kovalam's main beach is notable for the candy-striped lighthouse at its southern end.

5. Vizhinjam Lighthouse

0.9 MILES

Kovalam's most distinguishing feature is the working candy-striped lighthouse at the southern end of Lighthouse Beach. Climb the spiral staircase – or zip…

6. Vizhinjam Marine Research Aquarium

1.07 MILES

About 500m northwest of Kovalam's lighthouse, this small series of tanks displays fish from Kerala's waters, including lionfish and eels.

7. Rock-Cut Temple

1.52 MILES

Amid neatly tended, banyan-shaded grounds 500m north of Vizhinjam harbour, this small shrine is one of Kerala's most ancient rock-cut temples. A sculpture…

8. Vizhinjam

1.55 MILES

About 1km south of Kovalam's Lighthouse Beach, Vizhinjam village has a busy harbour from where fishing boats head out each day, along with one of Kerala's…