Cliff stories Resort is a charming property located in the coastal town of Varkala in the Indian state of Kerala. Situated on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea, the resort offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding lush greenery. Cliff stories offers a unique and unforgettable experience for travelers looking to unwind and reconnect with nature.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Boutique
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English, Hindi, Tamil
Location
South Cliff, Perumkulam, Varkala Town, Varkala 695141 India
Cliff Stories
47 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
From the moment I arrived, Deepak made me feel completely safe and at home. The property is located on the cliff top overlooking the ocean, there are steps down to the beach and you can hear the waves crashing all night. The accommodations are basic but charming and very very clean. I found the beds and pillows comfortable, and I slept incredibly well. But what really made this hotel stand out was the hospitality provided by Deepak. He cares about his guests, makes them feel welcome, and will arrange any sort of activity you like. I arrived at the hotel in the evening, indicated I wanted to surf, and he promptly arranged lessons for me the very next morning at 630am at Soul and Surf - a mere 10 minute walk away. There is also a Varkala “Experience” he offers, which was simply fabulous and took you around to the real Varkala, both touristy points but mainly the hidden gems. I’d highly suggest that for anyone wanting to get the real feel of this beautiful town. And finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the food at Cliff Stories. The Kerala Lunch, served on a banana leaf is divine, as are all the fresh fruit juices.
I cannot thank Deepak and his team enough for the wonderful experience and many memories. As a solo female traveler, it was liberating to arrive at a place and feel so safe and independent (like coming home) so quickly. Highly highly recommended for all travellers wanting an authentic, comfortable and delicious experience in Varkala.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My partner and I stayed for 3 nights. We loved the quiet location, the stunning view from the garden, and the helpful and friendly staff. Our room was very comfortable. It was about a 20 minute walk along beach to the busy cliff area (I’m glad we didn’t stay there, but it was fun to visit there and a great place to eat), or a short tuk tuk drive. The beach at the bottom of the cliffs was quiet, uncrowded, clean and beautiful. Lovely to easily go down for a dip in the warm water whenever we wanted. The kitchen in the resort was always open, so you could easily sit in the deck chairs, read a book, soak up the peace, snack, and sip on cool drinks throughout the day. A very relaxing time was had, and we thoroughly recommend this place.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a great stay at Cliff Stories! Good communication before coming and staff stayed up and arranged a car for us when coming in the middle of the night with train. In the morning we would just sit down anywhere in their cozy garden and someone would come and offer you coffee or tea. The sea view from the garden was breathtaking and from the garden you could walk right down to the beach. The staff was very nice and help us with all our questions!
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Date of stay: December 2019
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I really enjoyed staying at Cliff Stories. After being at the North Cliff for 8 days it was so nice to arrive to this peaceful and calm hotel at the South Cliff. With the most spectacular view from the garden to the ocean, one could sit there the whole day just soaking it all in.
The staff is very friendly, always smiling and greeting you - you feel at home. And not to forget - Sheela, the hotel dog with the most adorable panda eyes!
Thank you Deepak, Supeed and the rest of the staff - and of course Sheela!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cliff Stories is an exceptional resort nestled in Varkala South Cliff, offering an ideal weekend getaway for both friends and family. The property is impeccably maintained, and the rooms are tidy and well-kept. With a cozy cafe on-site and direct access to the beach, it provides one of the most memorable private beach experiences. The highlight of the stay is undoubtedly the breathtaking sunset view from the infinity pool. Additionally, the resort boasts a spacious garden area, perfect for intimate celebrations and group activities. Having experienced a delightful weekend here, I highly recommend Cliff Stories for a memorable stay.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was a fabulous and very friendly place to stay. The rooms were pretty basic but very clean. The staff were absolutely first class and very helpful and even booked our onward train travel for us. The garden area has a large covered chill out area with sofas and a great place to chat and meet other travelers. Breakfast was great with traditional Keralan options to try.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cliff Stories, Owner at Cliff Stories
Responded 10 Jun 2024
Thanks for the awesome feedback We're thrilled you had chill out experience with us. Can't wait to welcome you back for more relaxation and good vibes
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
For the price, the location is just surreal. You have this stone staircase down from the hotel to the private beach. The beach really did feel private too with almost no one there. We did some sandcastle building and boogie boarding during the day :). The hosts are young and super casual, which made for a fun experience.
At night the main area is beautiful to just hang out in and read a book. Also they make some solid food and we ended up eating at the hotel more than eating out.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cliff Stories, Owner at Cliff Stories
Responded 10 Jun 2024
We're thrilled you enjoyed our incredible location while staying within you budget providing a memorable experience without breaking the bank is our goal . we hope to welcome you back soon for more budget-friendly adventures. warm regards
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Super amazing sea food, beautiful view, private entry to beach, chill vibes, staff is friendly and kind. Wonderful people out there. Totally loved the place and it's vibes. Must visit when at varkala.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cliff Stories, Owner at Cliff Stories
Responded 10 Jun 2024
Thank you for your wonderful review! we're delighted you enjoyed our beach view accommodations and cool cafe atmosphere. We're continuously striving to enhance our guest experience,so we'll keep working to make it even better. Looking forward to hosting you again soon Best regards,
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Here is my detailed experience and views on the property:
1. The AC in my room (adjusant to the corner room nearest to the sea view - first floor) was making hell lot of noise (video attached). No one can even relax properly in such noise, let alone sleeping peacefully. As I complained, they said that you can move from here to some other property if you don't like the room. So instead of sorting the issue they wanted us to vacate the room. Seriously? Are we on vacation or resort hunting? So after I denied to move, asked to sort this out, they gave us another room where thankfully AC was working fine.
2. There were no towels provided initially. We checked in at around 3 pm. And I asked for the towels at around 6. Even after couple of follow ups, we did not get any towels. There are no phones set up in the room so I had to go downstairs to the reception again and again. So finally after multiple failed trials of getting the towels when I started calling them from the first floor, one of the guys finally rushed out to the property and got us towels in just like 5 minutes with a big smile. I do understand that it's monsoon and they may be facing laundry issue or something. But then why are you charging us this hefty room tariff when even you are not prepared for such basic things.
3. So we booked the room directly via calling them and requested for their best room. and we booked well in advance like around 1.5-2 months back. As we reached here, we did not get the corner room. As we raised that to them, they said it is already occupied and the only option is they can refund the amount and advised to shift to other property. But again, we are not here for room hunting. So had settle for the other room.
4. The lamp on the bedside is very dirty like it has not been cleaned since ages. Also, there is no bulb in that lamp. There are bad cracks in the wall paint on a couple of places. The table has gone all bad. There are visible open wirings in the washroom. (All pictures attached)
Review: Rooms are very basic with no sea (or any) views from any of the rooms. Common corridor is there with no balcony. The common swimming pool is quite nice and I think that's the only good thing about the property. Shampoo and soap are provided. Hot water is there. Not much water pressure in the shower. There are yellow tube lights in the room which feel aweful. Location is fine. It is our Day 1 and I haven’t tried food yet. Will be here for one more night. Let's see how it goes!
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We called in to see Deepak today and were blown away by the place and ambiance. The steps from the lawn lead to a beautiful beach.
The staff are just wonderful it’s a very interesting place to relax.
Next time we come we are staying with Cliff Stories.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Varkala Town area.
PRICE RANGE
₹8,993 - ₹9,598 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
IndiaKeralaThiruvananthapuram DistrictVarkalaVarkala Town
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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