We just spent three weeks in India and have waited to do any reviews until we'd done the whole trip, so we were used to Indian standards etc and could review all the places we stayed fairly.

We stayed at the Hill view beach resort in varkala and booked a month in advance via email. On the day even though our room wasnt ready for a couple hours when we initially arrived due to a late check out they said, when we did get in we were happy with what we got.
The rooms are lovely big rooms with a lovely bathroom attached, with baths big enough for two (which we used a couple of times) and showers. Loads of hot water.
Big comfortable beds, excellent TV with Indian sky type TV boxes and loads of english channels with tons of movies and sport to watch. The staff were were friendly and always available. We got the rooms for 3,000 ruppees a night and this includes a buffet Breakfast which was nice each morning with real coffee, Could order any eggs you liked. Fresh fruit, currys etc.
The bathroom was beautiful but the one issue was water on the floor didn't drain so stagnant water was left. and built up over a few days.
You get nice towels and are given beach towels as well. Its Nice that the room was detached and had a slight side view of the sea. (not exactly the sea facing you expect as as per the description) and some of the other resorts, however it was still a really Good location near the best part of the beach.
Overall one of the best places we stayed!!!!!

I stayed here with my family in Oct. We have visited Varkala several times before, but this is the first time we stayed at the Hill View. The location is great, right in the middle of the cliff top, but set far enough back to be out of the way. We stayed in an AC room, for Rs1800 and my daughter had a cottage in the back for Rs1400. As we had a toddler with us, clean rooms and safety were essential. I thought the rooms were of a good standard, but the bathrooms are really nice. They look new, and had tubs as well as showers, and limitless hot water. We never used the room service, as there are many lovely cafes a few steps away. The rooms were cleaned every day, with sheets and towels changed daily. We didnt have much to do with the staff, but they were friendly and really efficient. I would definatly recommend this hotel, for all types of traveller.

We reached Varkala late at around 10 pm so did not get much of a chance to look around for hotels. Our driver initially took us to the hotel adjacent to hillview but after seeing both rooms hillview was the clear winner. A great off season rate of 1200 for non Ac rooms, after a little bargaining was the icing on the cake. The location is perfect. On the north cliff and a few steps from the stairs that lead to the amazing beach below. We got more than our money's worth as the room was clean and very spacious. Service is a bit of concern specially after 10 pm. Overall great value for money.

This is the first time that we have taken the aid of internet to plan our trip, otherwise, it had always been word of mouth. This time we combined it and decided on this hotel to spend the weekend, which turned out to be a wise decision. We had small children with us so the room size and cleanliness was on our priority. The hotel gave us two options..to choose from sea facing rooms or take the cottages which were at the back side of the hotel. there's hardly any difference in the two except for some minor difference financially(In this season cottage's cost if Rs.1500 and hotel room Rs. 1800, both AC), so we chose a sea facing room on 1st floor. It is May end and thus the rains have started in the region but we got lucky and got to spend enough time at the beach. though it is said that there is a separate beach for foreigners and family but we could see no such thing.
The hotel staff is pleasant and provided us good service.
All in all a good experience.