Karma Home Stay, Varkala

Love Shore is quite a confusing place -- set in a hidden corner of the beach side of Varkala, it offers a beautiful courtyard with a relaxing garden and sophisticated outdoors common areas. However, the rooms and bathrooms are definitely below the standard you might reasonably expect from a hostel accommodating international guests.

The Location

The hostel is located in the area of Varkala Beach in a spot that is still authentic enough with many local homes but that is still quite close to touristy facilities like restaurants, massage parlours, and tour agencies. It is only about twenty minutes' walk from the beach and the start of some nice walks along the shore. However, it would be quite hard to walk to the train or bus stations from here, and sights like the main temple of Varkala are also not in walking distance.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The place offers both dorm-style and private rooms. The dorms can accommodate up to five people, but they seem never to be full. The rooms are definitely a huge letdown after walking through the beautiful garden and seeing the stylish architecture of the house in which it is located. They are dark, shabby, and uninviting, and at first sight, they more closely resemble a prison than a holiday accommodation. The beds are all individual -- there are no bunks at all -- but they are tiny and uncomfortable. Some of them have a shelf at the side which takes some space from the sleeping area. The rooms are cooled by fans. No lockers are provided, but despite that, it feels safe to leave your belongings on the premises. The toilet is Indian style and the bathroom is quite rundown.

Common Spaces

The common spaces are all located outdoors in the lush garden. There are many hammocks as well as various types of sitting spaces. Staying here is extremely relaxing and the location of the place guarantees that you will enjoy a quiet time with only the birds chirping around you. It is possible to order some home-cooked meals from the owner, which you can then enjoy in this nice environment.

Summary

When considering making a booking for Love Shore, you really have to ask yourself what your priorities are. If you know you will spend the majority of your time exploring or in the outdoors areas of the hostel, Love Shore might serve your purposes perfectly. However, if you would like a comfortable bed to come back to in a nicely decorated dorm, this is definitely not the right place for you.