Hotel Gateway Varkala-IHCL SeleQtions (Varkala, India)

Breakfast choices are exceptional and beautifully presented. Breakfast is served buffet style and the Masala Omelette is not to be missed!

The services at the hotel are impressive and large in number. One ‘must do' is the Ayurvedic massage. Administered by experts (*don't be tempted by cheaper, non-effective alternatives!), these Detox therapies serve as yet another way to unwind here.

Rooms are exceptionally clean. They are well decorated and furnished; maybe a bit dated overall, but it doesn't matter. It's all part of this great experience and all staff members from management to hard working cleaners are cheerful and dedicated to making your stay something to remember. Garden rooms are fine … but those on higher floors are better.

Rooms are showing signs of age and decay and there's a common problem relating to damp and mould. Not very nice. The feeling is that the hotel may be resting on its laurels and reliant on its previous reputation. A possible antidote is witnessed in those modern alternative hotels that are cropping up ... designed to lure you away from the Taj group!

They need to address cleaning procedures. On arrival, rooms appear to have got missed entirely with finger prints, dirty carpets and uncleaned surfaces; all contributing to the sense of unease. There is a pervading smell in the rooms that suggests that these problems are not ‘one-off'.

Access to the beach only takes a few minutes but can be a bit tricky for those with an infirmity. In the evening take a torch for that romantic cliff top stroll. It gets pitch dark at night.