Neeleshwar Hermitage

Warmth, beauty, serenity, paradise. This is an incredibly special place nestled in palm trees on the edge of a beautiful beach and warm ocean. Treatments in the spa are deeply healing. Yoga is simple by western standards, but a beautiful beginning to the day… offered by a gentle and heart centered woman. The food is limited but excellent. The most important part are the people, both those that offer their care to travelers in their roles as the staff and the fellow travelers who visit year after year. The result is a sense of coming home to a loving family.

This is not our first visit to Neeleshwar, but normally we travel to India in January, the high season for Kerala, so a stay in October was a step into the unknown. October would probably class as shoulder season, and the hotel was not fully occupied, but the weather was still more than acceptable, day time temperatures around 28 – 30deg, and it was possible to eat outside in the evening in shirtsleeves. Everything else was as you would expect from what is an excellent hotel. The rooms are large villas, either facing the sea or in the gardens, well equipped, a very comfortable bed, tea/coffee making equipment, and an open air bathroom with high pressure shower and sunken bath. We were in Santosh, newly upgraded to a Pool Villa, having a small plunge pool in an expanded bathroom area, with loungers and high pressure water jets. With two restaurants one serving Indian food, the other freshly caught fish, there was no lack of choice, and the quality was excellent. The name of the hotel gives away its philosophy, Neeleshwar Hermitage, and it is just that, calm and quiet, with yoga, meditation and ayaverdic treatments available, and aimed at people who look for that, a Goan beach hotel it isn’t, no TV’s, no smoking in the hotel area, no activity areas for kids etc., and a request to all guests to respect others, so ideal for a wind-down after a frenetic couple of weeks exploring India. Even the beach is largely deserted! The staff are superb, senior management who have been there certainly all the time we have been going, and staff and trainees from the local area combine to provide an exceptional level of service, whilst at the same time remaining unobtrusive, not an easy task. All in all, an exceptional hotel, which is reflected in the very high rate of return guests they enjoy. Highly recommended

From the moment I arrived at Neeleshwar Hermitage for my birthday celebration , I was swept away by the stunning beauty and luxurious ambiance of this exotic paradise. The serene environment, framed by pristine beache and lush tropical landscapes, set the perfect tone for relaxation and rejuvenation. The hospitality was nothing short of extraordinary! The staff were incredibly attentive, friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure my every need was met. From the personalised welcome to the thoughtful surprises throughout my stay, I truly felt like royalty. The accommodations were an absolute dream—elegant, spacious, and immaculately maintained, with breathtaking views that made every morning special ,Whether lounging by the infinity pool, indulging in a spa treatment, or any moment at Neeleshwar Hermitage was pure bliss. I cannot recommend this resort highly enough for anyone looking to escape to a world of luxury and tranquillity. I’m already counting the days until my next visit! Thank you Jesse Peter for being Best Host .

I recently had the good fortune of an 8-day stay at the stunning Neeleswhar Hermitage. This is a truly magical place: the environment radiates peace, ease, and joy. The facilities are state of the art and top of the line: every detail receives careful attention, from the turndown service to the spa, the restaurant to the pool--everything is maintained beautifully to maximize comfort and ease. I was truly impressed, and I've traveled widely throughout South and Southeast Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and North America! The staff are attentive without being overbearing, polished and professional without being distant or off-putting, friendly and open without being assertive or intrusive. I was deeply impressed by their professionalism and warmth. The environment is peaceful and soothing. I was able to meditate without interruption five times a day, and went for twice daily walks ***** the very long stretch of private beach abutting the hotel grounds. The beach is truly a marvel: pristinely clean, stretching for kilometers in either direction with very few other people, it was truly an oasis of peace and calm. I was blown away by its beauty and tranquility. The food at the restaurant was delicious and timely. I took advantage of a cooking class, which was as fun as it was informative! They have a rotating fresh menu every day, and the afternoon high tea was a real treat. The management was also incredibly thoughtful and attentive. Since I was staying for so long during the low season, they offered me a free upgrade to an ocean-view cabin, which completely transformed my experience. They were on hand to make sure I received whatever I needed or hoped for, but they weren't pushy trying to get me to go on excursions or spend money on things I didn't want to. They truly struck the totally perfect chord. I was deeply, deeply impressed by my time at Neeleswhar Hermitage, and you will be, too. If you're looking for a time to retreat away from the hectic frenzy of busy urban life, look no further. Treat yourself to a trip to Neeleswhar Hermitage; you won't regret it.

It’s not your typical hotel or resort thankfully. It’s a beautiful hermitage for those who enjoy peace, nature, simple comforts and an authentic experience. It’s a place for the discerning, not for those seeking out typical boisterous hotels. The spa is fantastic. They have a fresh menu every day of limited choices but all of excellent quality. I’d highly recommend this spot - but only if you can appreciate the finer pleasures of life.

This place was absolutely stunning. The location on the edge of the Arabian sea was beautiful, peaceful and unspoilt. The rooms were large, comfortable and well equipped. The whole complex was very well tended and the staff could not do enough for us. The infinity pool was lovely and we spent hours just chilling on the comfy loungers. There were two restaurants and we sampled both, and both were fabulous. There were lots of lovely touches, turn down service at night, mosquito fumigation at sunset, a lovely good bye message on the plate on our last breakfast, a seemingly endless supply of towels, an organised outing to a local temple, and so much more. After several weeks of touring southern India, this place was a lovely relaxing tonic. We were sad to leave.