Yes, it might be - guess all the KTDC hotels are in a class of their own. We stayed in a delux room in the separate two story building.
Samudra is in situated in a secluded area with a virtually private small strip of clean beach which is not very bussy.
All rooms have a sea view and are comfortable and super clean with a balcony.
The restaurant serves a huge buffet breakfast and a dinner buffet to match with live show or music every evening. Staffs speak impeccable English and are very helpful.
The garden and swimming pool are well maintained and the pool has a very friendly pool keeper. The Ayurvedic clinic is good but in comparison a bit expensive –discuss prices!
Now, a welcome variation to the hotel buffet is eating out. And one needs not to go far never mind the busy Kovalam Beach area: On the semi private beach there is a small privately owned beach restaurant which serves lunch at the beach and dinner a stone throw away in the evening where the kitchen is situated. Order seafood at lunchtime and you can enjoy a tasty catch in the evening at candlelight.

We stayed in this quiet, clean resort in March 2011 for 5 days. Very relaxing, close to beach, clean and rooms were comfortable. We had the Pool all to ourselves ( almost!). Service was good although restaurant was rather ordinary and food was All local. English was poorly understood in restaurants.

The pluses: Spectacular view, clean beach.
The Minuses: tasteless food, clueless staff, broken furniture, no service at all. Everyone is pushed to eat a clumsy buffet at all times. The operations of this property reminds you of the fact that Govt. of India rules in God's own country!!

Great view, nothing else. A pool. No cable tv for the two days we stayed. They cannot read a passport visa. Asking everything when it is there in the visa. Food not that great, no dinner after 10 and only buffet at dinner, did not advice about the buffet dinner or we would have gone outside. Food is always cold. Only indian food, no continental breakfast in the buffet.