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5-star hotels in Varkala
This shortlist gathers the 5-star hotels in Varkala, with 14 addresses from the cliff path to the town and Odayam Beach. It is for travellers deciding where to base themselves for the beach, the cliff views and the temple culture.
Staying in Varkala
Varkala is a coastal town in Kerala where beach life and temple culture sit side by side. The cliff path is walkable, the main beach is reached by steps or a ramp, and the Janardhana Swamy Temple stands near the beach as a local landmark. The town is also a centre for ayurveda and yoga, with several centres along the cliff, and it has a market, a hospital and its own railway station on the Trivandrum–Kollam line.
The 5-star hotels on this list sit in different parts of town. Nirrvaan homestay, Farah Homestay, Miracle Beach Residency, Cliff diaries and Ostello are close to the centre, while Kuma Surf House, The Beach Hive and Beach oh Beach lie further out towards Odayam Beach and Edava. Varkala suits couples, families and short-break visitors who want the cliff and the beach within easy reach, and business travellers passing through on the Trivandrum–Kollam line.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Nirrvaan homestay
Nirrvaan Homestay Near Helipad Behind Hotel Sajjoys Varkala, Varkala, India
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Lounge
Why stay hereA 5-star homestay 0.3 km from the centre, handy for guests who want the beach and the cliff path without a long transfer. Air conditioning and free wifi cover the essentials, and breakfast can be brought to your room. Housekeeping, laundry service and free car parking make longer stays easy. With a kitchen, lounge and garden on site, it suits families and small groups who prefer a quiet base to a large resort, plus canoeing and fishing are available for days off the sand.
See Nirrvaan homestayElixir Cliff Beach Resort and Spa
Varkala Varkalakollam, Varkala, India
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Kids pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereSet 1.8 km from the centre, this 5-star resort pairs a private beach with an outdoor pool and a spa and massage service, so most of the day can pass without leaving the grounds. Families get a kids pool, while air conditioning, a balcony and free wifi cover the rooms. Restaurant(s) on site and a shuttle service add convenience. Choose it for a full resort stay with the beach and treatments in one place, rather than a cliffside homestay.
See Elixir Cliff Beach Resort and SpaGaruda Suites
29 307 1 Medakkada Home Stay Varkala, Varkala, India
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereSuites 0.9 km from the centre, with a 24 hour front desk, express check in and currency exchange for arrivals at any hour. Air conditioning, free wifi and family rooms suit groups, and pets are allowed. A kitchen and lounge give more space than a standard room, and laundry service plus a safe cover longer trips. A bar, taxi service and free car parking complete the practical side. Best for travellers who want apartment-style space close to town.
See Garuda SuitesOstello
Valiyaveettil Bhagavathy Temple North Middle Cliff Near Kurakkanni Varkala Kerala, Varkala, India
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Bar/Lounge
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereOn North Middle Cliff, 0.5 km from the centre and near the beach, this 5-star property leans into a social stay: karaoke, entertainment activities and a bar and lounge. Air conditioning, free wifi and free car parking are provided, and pets are allowed. Dinner is served, and a kitchen is available. With a 24 hour front desk, laundry and dry cleaning, it works for guests who want the cliff and beach within walking distance and company in the evenings.
See OstelloKuma Surf House
Sree Eight Cliff, Varkala, India
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereA surf house 2.8 km from the centre, with its own private beach and beach nearby for guests who plan their days around the water. Air conditioning, a bathroom and free wifi are standard, and family rooms and a garden broaden who it suits. Free car parking, a terrace and pet-friendly rules make it practical for those driving in with boards and gear. This is for surfers and beach-focused travellers who prefer space away from the busy centre.
See Kuma Surf HouseFarah Homestay
Varkala Helipad Road, Varkala, India
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
- Beach nearby
Why stay hereA homestay 0.3 km from the centre on Helipad Road, with the beach nearby. Rooms have air conditioning, a bathroom and a refrigerator, and free wifi and free car parking are included. Family rooms, a garden and a terrace give children room to move, and non smoking rooms and a safe add comfort. It suits families and couples who want a short walk to the cliff and beach and a simple, well-placed base in Varkala.
See Farah HomestayAsteya
Asteya Near Perumkulam Southcliff Varkala Ground Floor, Varkala, India
Why stay hereA 5-star property 1.4 km from the centre, near Perumkulam Southcliff. Few facilities are listed in the data, so this is one to book for location and class rather than on-site amenities. It suits travellers who expect to spend their time at the cliff and beach and need only a place to sleep within reasonable reach of the centre. Confirm what is provided directly before booking, as no facilities are recorded here.
See AsteyaCliff diaries
Varkalavarkala Cliff, Varkala, India
Why stay hereLocated right on Varkala Cliff, 0.4 km from the centre, this 5-star stay puts the cliff path, cafes and viewpoints within a short walk. No facilities are listed in the data, so judge it on position rather than amenities. It suits guests who want to step out of the door into the cliff scene and do not need a pool, spa or restaurant on site. Check the details directly before you book.
See Cliff diariesBeach oh Beach
Odayam Beach Road Edava Varkala, Varkala, India
Best for: Step-free access
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereOn Odayam Beach Road, 1.6 km from the centre, this 5-star property is built around beach access and a shuttle service. Wheelchair accessible facilities are listed, which is worth noting if step-free access matters to your group. The data records nothing further, so treat it as a beach-oriented base rather than a full-facility resort. It suits travellers who want the northern beach stretch and easy transport to the centre.
See Beach oh BeachHello Varkala Beach Resort
Hello Varkala Beach Resortblack Beach Varkala, Varkala, India
Why stay hereA 5-star resort 0.6 km from the centre on Black Beach, placing the sand and the cliff within easy reach. No facilities are listed in the data, so the appeal here is the address and the class rather than what is on site. It suits guests who want to be close to Black Beach and the centre and are happy to eat and swim out. Confirm amenities directly before booking.
See Hello Varkala Beach ResortYog Hostel Varkala
Black Beach Varkala, Varkala, India
Why stay hereAt Black Beach, 0.7 km from the centre, this 5-star hostel is positioned for guests who want the beach and cliff on foot. The data lists no facilities, so expect to rely on what is nearby rather than on-site services. It suits budget-minded travellers and solo guests drawn to a hostel format in a beachside spot, and anyone who wants to be in the middle of Varkala's north cliff area.
See Yog Hostel VarkalaChechus Resort
Varkala Thazhevettoor Road, Varkala, India
Why stay hereA 5-star resort on Thazhevettoor Road, 0.7 km from the centre. The data records no facilities, so the location and class are what is on offer. It suits travellers who want to be close to the centre and the beach and intend to spend their time out. There is nothing here on pools, dining or transport, so check with the property directly for what is provided before you commit.
See Chechus ResortMiracle Beach Residency
Varkala Cliff, Varkala, India
Why stay hereThe closest of these to the centre at 0.2 km, this 5-star property sits on Varkala Cliff itself. No facilities are listed in the data, so the draw is the cliff address and the short walk to the beach, cafes and shops. It suits guests who want to be in the middle of the cliff action and need little more than a room. Ask the property directly about amenities before booking.
See Miracle Beach ResidencyThe Beach Hive
Vettakada Beach Varkala, Varkala, India
Why stay hereAt Vettakada Beach, 3.8 km from the centre, this 5-star property is the most removed from Varkala's centre in this list. No facilities are recorded, so it is one for guests who value a quieter stretch of coast over central convenience. It suits travellers with their own transport or those happy to take a shuttle or taxi into town. Confirm services directly, as the data lists none.
See The Beach Hive
How to choose
For families
Elixir Cliff Beach Resort and Spa has a kids pool, an outdoor pool and family-friendly dining, all useful with children along the cliff. Garuda Suites also allows pets.
Elixir Cliff Beach Resort and Spa · Garuda Suites · Kuma Surf House · Farah Homestay
For couples
Elixir Cliff Beach Resort and Spa brings a spa, massage and a private beach, which suits a couple's stay. Nirrvaan homestay offers a garden and terrace for quiet evenings, Kuma Surf House has a private beach, and Cliff diaries sits right on Varkala Cliff, steps from the sunset viewpoints.
Nirrvaan homestay · Elixir Cliff Beach Resort and Spa · Kuma Surf House · Cliff diaries
For pets
Garuda Suites, Ostello and Kuma Surf House all list pets allowed. Garuda Suites adds free parking and a 24-hour front desk, Ostello has a bar and lounge and sits on the North Middle Cliff, and Kuma Surf House includes a terrace and a private beach nearby.
Closest to the centre
If you want to be within a short distance of the centre, Nirrvaan homestay and Farah Homestay are both 0.3 km away, followed by Miracle Beach Residency at 0.2 km, Cliff diaries at 0.4 km, Ostello at 0.5 km, and Chechus Resort and Yog Hostel Varkala at 0.7 km.
Nirrvaan homestay · Farah Homestay · Miracle Beach Residency · Cliff diaries · Ostello · Chechus Resort
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Varkala has its own railway station on the Trivandrum–Kollam line, with direct trains from Thiruvananthapuram (about 1 hour) and Kollam. The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 55 km away; taxis and buses connect it to Varkala. Buses also run from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam to Varkala bus station. Once in town, auto-rickshaws are the main way to reach the cliff area from the station or bus stand. The cliff path itself is walkable, but be prepared for uneven ground and steps.
When to go
The best time to visit Varkala is from October to March, when the weather is dry and daytime temperatures are warm but not extreme. This is also the main tourist season, so the cliff is lively, and December and January are the busiest. The monsoon, from June to August, brings heavy rain and rough seas; many businesses close and swimming is not safe. April and May are hot and humid.
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to the centre of Varkala?
Miracle Beach Residency and Nirrvaan homestay are 0.2 km and 0.3 km from the centre respectively, and Farah Homestay is also 0.3 km away. Cliff diaries is 0.4 km, with Ostello and Yog Hostel Varkala further out at 0.5 km and 0.7 km.
Do any of these hotels have a pool or spa?
Elixir Cliff Beach Resort and Spa lists an outdoor pool, a kids pool, a spa and massage, plus a private beach. None of the other 5-star properties on this list list a pool or spa in their facilities.
Which hotels allow pets?
Garuda Suites, Ostello and Kuma Surf House all list pets allowed. Garuda Suites also offers free parking and a 24-hour front desk, Ostello has a bar and lounge, and Kuma Surf House has a terrace, a garden and a private beach.
Is parking available at these hotels?
Most of the properties here list free car parking, including Nirrvaan homestay, Elixir Cliff Beach Resort and Spa, Garuda Suites, Ostello, Kuma Surf House, Farah Homestay and The Beach Hive. Beach oh Beach, Cliff diaries and Miracle Beach Residency do not list parking among their facilities.
Which hotels are best for families?
Elixir Cliff Beach Resort and Spa has a kids pool and an outdoor pool, and Garuda Suites, Kuma Surf House and Farah Homestay all list family rooms.
Which hotels are near Odayam Beach?
Beach oh Beach is on Odayam Beach Road in Edava and lists a shuttle service, while Kuma Surf House sits at Sree Eight Cliff and offers a private beach. Both are outside the main cliff strip, 1.6 km and 2.8 km from the centre.
Which hotel is the top-rated pick on this list?
The ratings for the properties here are not given individually in our data, so we cannot name a highest-rated hotel. Elixir Cliff Beach Resort and Spa stands out for facilities, with a spa, a pool and a private beach.
Can I reach these hotels from Trivandrum without a car?
Yes. Varkala has its own railway station on the Trivandrum–Kollam line, with trains from Thiruvananthapuram taking about 1 hour, and buses run from the city to Varkala bus station. From the station or bus stand, auto-rickshaws are the main way to reach the cliff area.