Taj Garden Retreat, Varkala is perched atop a majestic red cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea. The aesthetically terraced facade of the hotel moulds itself harmoniously with the inclined landscape of Varkala beach.

If you're looking for beaches and are fed up with the crowds and prices at Kovalam, then its well worth checking out Varkala. The best times to go, are of course in the season, when the beach extends out all around the cliff face for 500 meters.

Accommodation
Taj Garden Retreat have 30 centrally air-conditioned rooms including suites. The various types of accommodation include:
Standard Rooms
All rooms are elegantly appointed and have a private balcony. Guest amenities include, international direct dial facility and colour television with satellite programmes.
Superior Sea Facing Rooms
These rooms have an open terrace that's perfect for viewing the sunset.
Suites
All suites have a bedroom, a living room and a private balcony with an excellent view of the swimming pool and sea.

Restaurents & Bars
The restaurants and bars housed here are a powerful draw for the gourmet and provide the finest of dining experiences.

Cape Camorin
Multi-cuisine restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisine.

Sunset Bar
A bar overlooking the swimming pool and the sea.

Meeting Rooms and Banquet Facilities
Taj Garden Retreat have one room with a capacity for 40 persons auditorium style, 27 persons class-room style or 40 persons for cocktails/receptions. The hotel lawn can be used to host receptions for up to 100 persons.

Facilities and Services
Other facilities and services include travel desk, currency exchange, safe deposit lockers and doctor-on-call along with 24-hour room service and laundry service.

Recreation
Taj Garden Retreat possess excellent swimming pool with a sunken bar, a children's wading pool, play ground, fitness centre, tennis, volleyball and badminton courts, indoor games and Ayurvedic massage.
Beaches
The beaches around this area are excellent and if you're looking for a cheap holiday Varkala should definitely be on your list. In the off season its really mellow and relaxed, swim and sleep and chill out. Only in December does it get really busy and prices start rocketing till January/February, when it starts to quieten down. But remember most 'tourist' locations in India with beaches will be busy during December, if you want to miss the crowd, head for the hills in Kodiakanal-Tamil Nadu.
Janardhana Temple
Varkala has been a Hindu pilgrimage site since the 12th Century. The Janardhana Temple was built during this period and many Hindu's still visit Varkala to this day, for this very reason. The main beaches and tourist area are located at the cliff top, which is about 7 minutes walk from the Temple.