Beach, Greens And Luxury

Vyas Sivanand is impressed with Taj Green Cove Resort in Kovalam, Kerala

The Kovalam sun comes up hot on March mornings, but even then there is something invigorating about Taj Green Cove; a kind of luminous elegance, a stimulating ecstasy that seems to seep up through the granite stones on the quadrant. Maybe the secret lies in its unique combination of a beach resort, backwater escape, hill retreat and spa. With a strip of golden sands laced with the rich greenery of coconut palms, the resort is spread over 10 acres of lush tropical landscape, dappled with fountains, sculptures and waterfalls.

Designed in Balinese style with a mix of local ethos and heritage in a contemporary setting the resort boasts of eight two-bedroom suites with private balcony and lawns, a Presidential Suite with a private pool and deluxe suites with private lawns.

Offering a panoramic view of the blue sea and the long stretches of coconut trees, the 57 granite stone hillside cottages with elephant grass thatched rooftops and a private balcony with large French windows conform to the high international standards. Come night and the view from the cottages takes one to a flight of fancy when the sea is speckled with tawny lights from the fishing boats resembling a glittering township. The resort will soon be adding 18 deluxe floating cottages.

The resort offers a selective dining experience to guests with the choicest of delicacies at its various restaurants. Guests can savour a delightful culinary experience of curries from various regions of the country at the resort's specialty restaurant Curries. One can also indulge in alfresco dining by the sea at Chemmeen, the beach deck restaurant which offers authentic coastal cuisine from regions such as the Malabar and Travancore, including an exotic seafood barbeque grill.

Guests can also opt to dine at the open-air all-day multi-cuisine coffee shop Jasmine Bay or relax over tea, coffee and beverages at The Lounge, an open-air lounge with a casual ambience. An array of international and Indian spirits, wines, liqueurs and light snacks can be enjoyed at Neera, the bar.

The Jiva Spa at the resort offers treatments and programmes specially designed to maintain physical, mental and spiritual equilibrium. Equipped with single and double treatment suites, a well-equipped gymnasium, Jacuzzi, a beauty parlour and spa shop, the Spa indulges guests in a range of Indian aromatherapy treatments, time-honoured Indian treatments, body scrubs and wrap, and signature treatments.

Other facilities at the resort include a swimming pool, outdoor hot and cold open-air Jacuzzi, water sports, tennis courts, putting green, archery, indoor games, DVD players and DVDs on rental basis, and a Children's Activity Center. Making it a unique conferencing destination, the resort also offers a 2,400 square feet conference hall and a well-designed boardroom.

The resort which features in the Taj Holidays brand experience truly keeps up to its promise of unique and multi-faceted participatory leisure experience.