A Rejuvenated Escape to God’s Own Country with The LaLiT Resort & Spa Bekal

September 29, 2017 Deena Pinto

Trying to picture a tropical paradise as close to home as possible. Only one place springs to mind. Kerela aka God’s own country!

With lush green landscapes and blue coastlines make for an amazing escape.

Kerela is one of those places that has something for everyone to cherish. From luxury hotels that cover the coastlines to boutique hotels and the likes. From the mouth-watering cuisine to the relaxation therapies. Kerela has got you covered.

On my latest adventures, I treated myself to a five star experience, coupled with a bit of history at one of the largest fort in Kerela. More about Bekal Fort on my next blog post. The best part about this travel is I had my little sister Doreen aka IndianGirlinPoland with me. Here’s what it was like staying at the The Lalit Resort and Spa – Bekal Fort.

– Getting There –

Plane – Fly into Mangalore airport, then drive down.
Drive – From Mangalore airport it is about 65 kms. Roughly takes about 1.5 hours approximately.

We had the Resort car pick us up from the airport. The route is scenic as Mangalore too is a coastal region. Plus the monsoon just added to the panoramic charm. The hour and half just whisked past absorbing the scenery.

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– The Hotel –

Surrounded by river Nombili from three sides, and a beach. The Lalit Resort & Spa at Bekal Fort offers unparalleled luxury and serenity to its guests.

The landscape gardens is spread over 26 acres. The resort features 38 Suites and 1 Presidential Suite. The main restaurant and a bar named Nombili – is situated in the centre. The highlight of the resort is Rejuve -The Spa spread over 17,050 sqft. Tourists from all over come here to take advantage of the ayurvedic healing and curative therapies in the most authentic & traditional form. Another feature is the main pool

We arrived in time for sunset. The staff greeted us with garlands and tender coconut water. Refreshing and all natural. The lobby is huge, open air and welcoming. The river Nombili flows across the property.

We were so eager so requested to see the entire property before the light faded. The staff arranged for a resort cart to take us around. First stop – The beach to see the gorgeous sunset.

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– The Room –

The Lalit Resort & Spa, Bekal Fort, has luxurious suites to suit everyone. From private pools to jacuzzis, take your pick to indulge in a romantic, private or group getaway. Each Villa comes with its private lawn and sit out area, and offers breathtaking view of the internal lagoons. Aesthetically designed with parquet flooring and modern amenities, all suites feature private Jacuzzi, special pillow menu and a personal holiday host at your service.

Deluxe Suite Lagoon View
Premier Backwater View
Luxury Suite Lagoon View
Premier Luxury Backwater View
Spa Suite Lagoon View
Spa Premier Backwater View

All of the rooms feature King size beds, marble bathrooms, and sit out, with a deep stand-alone Jacuzzi. We stayed at the Spa Premier Backwater View – The suite was a breath of fresh air. The cool colours (blue and earthy) along with the interior decor highlight cool winds and give a perspective of backwaters. We had our very own Holiday Host to ensure we were taken care of every minute.

A spacious suite, with little luxury touches, felt more like a home than a hotel room.

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– The Pool –

The pool at this resort is enticing and exotic as they come, covered with palm trees and tall towered structures. The turquoise blue water was irresistible to not take a dip. The weather was sporty enough during the day so we made the best of out time just lounging by the pool side. The children’s swimming is on the side, which is a bonus.

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– The Spa –

Rejuve – The Spa, spread across 20,000 sqft of lush well manicured gardens. It has 13 multi-functional treatment rooms. Each unique for ayurvedic, aroma, herbal, international and beauty therapies.

Rejuve – The Spa, uses natural products and are renowned for Rejuvenation, Detox and Weight management programs. We took the Rejuve Signature Spa, a mix of ayurvedic and swedish massage. 90 minutes of pure bliss. This one relaxes and helps relieve of stress in the body.

The must see feature of this resort is the herbal garden laid out in the shape of a human body. Each herb or plant has been strategically placed based on its use to treat various ailments of the body.

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– Food & Drinks –

Ah! where do I even begin. The main and only restaurant, named after the river Nombili, is a multi-cuisine dining experience. Specializing in local cuisine and ultra fresh seafood.

My sister and I are sucker for sea food so we just stuck to it. And the Chef didn’t fail to disappoint us at all. We we super stuffed throughout out stay.

The bar adjacent to it, where you can take your pick of the various cocktails, wine and spirits. We stuck to wine, to compliment our meals.

The restaurant mainly serves buffet style and you can take your pick. Else you can chose to go ala carte and go for the specials of the day.

Our visit coincided with one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Kerala – Onam. The staff created a special dining experience for us. Our very own Sadhya. It is a variety of dishes traditionally served on a banana leaf in Kerala, India. Sadhya means banquet in Malayalam. And boy was it a meal to relish and remember.

We wanted to dress the part and hence, picked up the traditional saree worn by the women in Kerala. The off white saree is graceful and has its own history. Dressing the part to, feasting on a meal fit for a queen, is one I shan’t forget.

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– Activities –

Bekal Fort – This is a must visit fort, one of the largest in Kerela. It is about 20 minutes drive from the resort.
Cycling – For the fitness fanatics, you can go ahead and cycle around the property.
Recreation Room – This room allows you to enjoy the company of family and friends. You can play Billiards, Chess, Table Tennis or for the readers they do have a wide selection of books to chose from.
Beach – You can walk down, or cycle your way. The tide is very high so you can just stand by the shore and watch the waves come crashing in.
Kayaking – down the Nombili River amidst lush greens & placid backwaters.
Fishing – This is fun, we tried our luck but no avail. The fish are way to smart, eat the bait!
Yoga – One can also indulge in personalized yoga and meditation sessions,

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– My Final Thoughts –

A big shout out to the chef for a scrumptious personalised dining experience. Having a personal assistant around all the time made us feel pampered and spoilt and like a celebrity of sorts! The Lalit Resort & Spa Bekal is like a nature’s paradise. I absolutely am going back for sure to get rejuvenated! Each of the staff members went out of their way. Wearing a saree was the best decision ever. Wondering when I shall wear it again. 🙂

About The Lalit Resort & Spa, Bekal Fort – For those seeking a luxury and adventure, and wish to experience the local culture of Kerala through traditional performances, the resort can arrange spectacular pageant of Theyyam deities, Yakshagana, Mohiniyattam, Bharathanatyam and Kathakali dances. To know more –>> Click Here

Have you already been The Lalit Resort & Spa at Bekal Fort? Would love to hear your experience if you have, and if you have enjoyed this post do leave your comment below.

You can also follow my little sister’s adventure – IndianGirlInPoland

‘Drink Responsibly’

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