The Mouthshut people should first change the name of this Hotel. Ashok/ITDC property was taken over by Leela Kempinski Group and they have done wonders to it. The Club Class of the Leela Kovalam is a class of its own with all the rooms extending out to the sea and you virtually feel like sailing in a ship. Each Club Class room has its own sun-deck and Club Floors have their own restaurant, private butlers, plunge pools etc.
I stayed at the Leela for 1 night in May. I have only good things to speak about them. Everything was chic about it. We were given a superior beachfront view room. This is the only hotel in Kovalam which has its own private beach. No other hotels enjoy this exotic view and the beach as this hotel, Not even Taj Green Cove. Taj infact does not have a beach. Leela is built on a cliff and you are transported to your rooms by battery-operated cars called "Buggy". The rooms open from the Verandah.
They have a Pillow Menu with 10-15 pillow choices. The food is good and the service excellent. The hotel has more than adequate staff which takes care of you round the clock. Everytime, there are 3-4 people hovering around every guest at any given moment. In the evenings, they have live jazz playing softly in the bars and diner-rooms and the ambience is one of its kind.
I loved it and would visit again.
Some downsides: They should have free Wi-fi access, and should improve their beach restaurant.
Regards, Puneet Aggarwal
aka Sonzy.