Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort - Thiruvananthapuram, India 

Somatheeram is fantastic for ayurvedic treatments, we had a totally relaxing and rejuvenating stay there (went in Feb 2005). Excellent detox programme and healthy food. Quite a rustic environment, not a glossy luxury hotel kind of place, so it depends on what you like - we loved our little hut and I spent lots of time snoozing in the hammock just outside our front door. The sea is very rough and potentially dangerous - only suitable for incredibly strong swimmers. Also it is only suitable to use the beach area that is monitored by the Somatheeram staff, as the local fishermen use much of the rest of the beach as a toilet! The fishing community is fascinating, especially interesting to watch them bring in the catch. Dining alfresco in the evening, the lights of the night fishing boats twinkle in the sea as brightly as the stars in the sky. We went to the beach at Kovalum a couple of times, the beach there was a bit busy but clean and it was easier to swim in the water. It was about a half hour taxi drive. The sister resort is about a 10 minute walk away and there is a quite nice pool there. The only tourism activity we did was to go on a boat ride through some local backwaters one afternoon. To go on a proper backwater tour takes longer and is further away. I didn't think there was a lot of tourist stuff to do but we weren't that interested in that aspect of things. There is often Indian singing, dancing or music, or a cooking demonstration, in the evenings. The yoga was pretty good but you had to pay extra for it, which I thought was a bit unfair since the place advertises as an ayurvedic AND yoga centre. I would definitely recommend this place if you just want to chill out, have some treatments, do some yoga and eat healthy food. We returned home several pounds lighter and looking & feeling about ten years younger!

We were staying about 2 weeks, in summary: ONLY FOR NOISE SEEKERS: Never go in January as there you will find an open air disco like sound from the Shiva temple next door!!!! This goes generally until 0.30h am every night. We also had the pleasure of a wedding in the Manaltheraam, with a big beach disco - great if you intend to do party...but if you seeking quiteness, this is not the place...! In addition from 7am onwards about 5-10 crows are sitting on your room roof and are making an amazing noise! - great treatments, real good doctors, however treatment rooms and treatment tools/beds in terms of value for money in need of refurbishment! - never book a mini cottage! specifically if you have your pargation days - de luxe cottages are good!, but some others are in need of refurbishment - you do not need a gym here as every time you go up and down you are covering about 100 steps! good for fit people - difficult for unfit/older people especially as badly lit at night - the beach is great and aside the normal hazzle when you go and come from there, "...can you buy me a football, a batch, a house..." it has great waves; beach personnel nice and friendly, but beach umbrellla in desparate need for exchange In summary real good treatments - but too loud!!!