The overall experience was ok.The check in was very prompt.The room assigned to us was good & spacious but the water started dripping from the AC.The room was changed but the new room was smaller & not well appointed.We also did not have any view from our room as it was facing a boundary wall.We visited in April 2010 when it is a off-season,so there were plenty of vacant rooms but we were still given such a room.
The food was ok and the service prompt.

The first thing we saw, as we entered, were undergarments outside pool facing rooms, just like college or youth hostels. Pool was not clean. The room gave looks of a motel. Firstly, the intercom did not work, then there was no water to even wash your hands in the bathrooms. Food and Service was pretty ordinary. Staff did not even smile. Communication with the staff, even in English, was a big big challenge in itself.
Friends, except its location which is close to beach (NOT ON THE BEACH - Big deal!!!), this place has nothing else to offer. For God sake, please stay away and do not recommend even to your enemy especially if he is going to stay with family. BTW, writing this review from my room

Kovalam beach retreat was a wonderful hotel having up-to-date facilities that a family requires and moreover its just located on the beach itself so one can reach on the seashore within just 2 minutes and the rooms of the hotel are big as compared to the other hotels. They are well maintained and clean. The swimming pool is also an added advantage for the family. It also has an inbuilt restaurant on the terrace from which we can have a beautiful view of the sea. The preparation is also good one. The staff of the hotel is also helpful.

Some rooms on ground floor have dirty Bathrooms, AC not functioning. I stayed with my family for two nights. First night the room was on the ground floor and thrid class. AC was not working. No one attended the complaint. Second day room was changed. If u want to stay there, choose rooms on first or second floor. Food quality is good. Break fast & Lunch / dinner was quite good.