“Good place to chill out”

Really relaxed spot.
There is a sort of courtyard in the middle of the premises, we're they've build a roofed place with comfortable cushions and low tables, with nice lighting. Good speakers, nice mellow (Indian) music.
Besides plenty of hammocks, they also have a massive swing, attached to two palmtrees...
The guys running the place are nice and relaxed and the rooms are clean.
I went out for a couple of days on a motorbike in the countryside and it was OK to leave my things there, they looked after them.

• Stayed January 2014, traveled as a couple
• Trip Advisor

“What a great vibe”

What a great place! if varkala is amazing, its this place that will make it. 
the variety of very clean rooms and nice airy dorms are spread around in 3 or 4 building (and a couple of tree houses), all around a huge, well landscaped garden, with hammocks strown about between the palms and banana trees. centering it all is a great seating area which is the key, the place to sit around comfortably and meet the most lovely people all in one place. they serve a great thali and reffreshing juices, the staff are really warm, laid back and helpful there's also a badmington net, chess, karom etc all you need in anywhere to make it the number one backpackers/triavellers place i'vve found on any continent. I'm sure there is one, but i havent found it yet. 
and to top it all off, the beach and the great variety of restaurants are all in just a couple of minute walk.
its my second time back to wonderful home from home and i'm sure it wont be too long before returning again. the only problem with the place is trying to leave!
enjoy x

Stayed February 2012, traveled solo

Trip Advisor

“The perfect place to relax, to calm down and to meet nice people!” * Thank you Mellanie

Shiva garden is a fantastic place to relax, read books, chat to the very nice owners and to other tourists. Very spacious cottages as well as rooms are situated in a beautiful garden. They are very clean and comfortable with nice furniture. There are several hammocks in the garden and the possibility to play volleyball. Moreover, there is kind of a meeting point in the garden, a space with pillows and low tables, where people can eat, drink, chat to each other or connect to the rest of the world (wifi connection offered). In the morning, Yoga courses are offered by Sonia, who is part of the staff, who runs Shiva garden. We highly recommend this place to everybody!!

• Stayed May 2012, traveled as a couple
• Trip Advisor

“Can't wait to come back” * THank you Louise!!!

After a long week of work I arrived at Shiva Garden on Friday night. I was actually planing to come the weekend before, but couldn't make it and it was no problem at all to just postpone my booking. I also spontaneously brought 3 friends along and that also was easy going. They even picked us up from the train station for free and when I entered Shiva Garden's door I felt like walking into paradise. Everything is so green, there heaps of hammocks, a giant swing and a big chill area to just stay and not leave ever again =) everybody was sooo nice and welcoming and I met so many cool backpackers. So it's a perfect place to get in touch. I stayed at the dorm up on the roof, with the sky as a blanket and beautiful Sonia's yoga class to wake up to. If you want something simple, but creative and with a wonderful spirit to it...Shiva Garden is your place! I will definitely have it as my treat after my working weeks =)

Stayed March 2012, travelled with friends

Trip Advisor

“The perfect place to relax, to calm down and to meet nice people!” * Thank you Melanie

Shiva garden is a fantastic place to relax, read books, chat to the very nice owners and to other tourists. Very spacious cottages as well as rooms are situated in a beautiful garden. They are very clean and comfortable with nice furniture. There are several hammocks in the garden and the possibility to play volleyball. Moreover, there is kind of a meeting point in the garden, a space with pillows and low tables, where people can eat, drink, chat to each other or connect to the rest of the world (wifi connection offered). In the morning, Yoga courses are offered by Sonia, who is part of the staff, who runs Shiva garden. We highly recommend this place to everybody!!

Stayed May 2012, travelled as a couple

Trip Advisor

“Feels like home” * Thank you Vuk!

Shiva garden is a wonderful place. Makes you feel at home. Don't get me wrong, it's not as Europe, it's very exotic. Beautiful garden with hammocks, a very high swing, badminton field, outdoor showers, traditional Kerala food...but most of all is a place where people meet each other and make new friendships. You can also chill in your quiet room or dorm but the best is to go to the garden and say hello to someone new and then miracles happen. I must say I find these place very spiritual too. I see it like a non formal ashram where people by themselves create activities and become good teachers to each other. I warmly recommend this place. To get the best out of it, try to do some work around the garden and some Karma yoga, helping to make these place as nice as your home because that's what Shiva garden is, your home abroad. Salute to all the nice stuff of Shiva garden, and keep on the good work. See you next season.

Stayed February 2012, traveled solo

Trip Advisor

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“Relax, meet, enjoy!” * Tank you Den!

Such a fantastic guesthouse: friendly and helpful staff; large and clean rooms to suit every budget; wonderful gardens; tasty food served from the kitchen; and many fun parties.
My first stay here (2 months) was in room 106: huge 1st-floor room with king-size double bed; en-suite shower/wc; mosquito net; ceiling fan. So much cheaper, and so much cleaner than the rooms I'd seen on the cliff, and yet only a 5 minute walk away. I settled in quickly, met so many inspiring people, and found it very hard to leave.
AND very hard not to come back: which I did, and stayed for another 2 months in 1 of the 4 apartments.... HUGE double bedroom with a very grand and spacious en-suite bathroom, and a reception room with chaise longue, TV, and kitchenette.
But it's the communal garden that is Shiva Garden's ace card: a great place to relax, eat, lay in a hammock, play badminton, and meet many of the wonderful guests that are drawn to this fantastic place.
If you plan to visit Varkala, Shiva Garden is THE place to stay. Whatever your budget, there's an apartment/room/dorm bed to suit you. You won't be disappointed. ENJOY!!!

Stayed for 6 months in the seasons of 2012, 2013.

Trip Advisor

“The heart of Varkala” * Thank you Lucy!

I stayed at Shiva Garden twice - once in high season, once in low season. Both times were fantastic - Jayan and Sonia are so down to earth, and really will try to accommodate you no matter what you budget and requirements are. It's tucked slightly back further from the beach, which means it's a total square of peace, away from the hustle and bustle. There are big tables for people to meet, games and books, hammocks and my favourite - A GIANT SWING. That's a reason to visit on its own. There are basic dorms for those on a real budget as well as pricier but prettier rooms. In short, something for everyone.

Stayed July 2012, travelled solo

Trip Advisor

“Home in India”

I came to Siva Garden after a friends recommendation and felt totally at home for the first time in my 4 month stay in India. (which included changing accommodation every 3 days so by this point i had been resident jn ALOT of guesthouses) Owner Jayan and the staff immediately made me feel welcome and comfortable. It offers excellent value for both accommodation and food/drinks. Set back from the main hub of Varkala yet still minutes from the beach, the atmosphere is peaceful and relaxed as well as offering you the opportunity to be a social butterfly should you wish thanks to it's communal garden complete with hammocks and swing. For me Siva Garden offered the perfect place to relax, read and meet new friends (cheesy but true) and lead me to extend my stay from 5 days to 2 weeks simply because I didn't want to leave!!

Stayed November 2012

Trip Advisor

“Nice to be here and more nicer even... come back hear again and again!” * Thank you Chiara!!!

Young family: a yoga teacher, a journalist and two little children, 6 and 2 years old. It has been our perfect homestay in Kerala, perfect for us and for the children too, with a lot of space to play. Good people around, good atmosphere and energy and a really friendly welcome: you can ask the staff to help you in every way (tuc tuc and taxi, ayurveda treatment suggestion, shopping advice and much much more). The best thing? The familiar and friendly way the hostel is runned. Cheap, comfortable, easy! And you can even stay and eat for free, if you give some of your time for helping and work with them. A great opportunity to go deeper in the Indian life style and learn how to make a perfect masale chai! Don't miss the place!!

Stayed January 2013, travelled with family

Trip Advisor

“Perfect for a solo backpacker” * Thank you Mark!!!

Shiva Gardens is the sort of place you come to for a few days and end up spending a week. Or indeed longer.

As is often the case, people make a place, and this is the most sociable and welcoming guest house I have come across in India. I stayed for 8 nights, sleeping in the dormitory on the roof, just a mattress and a mosquito net, and it was bliss.

There is a cool hangout area, people are always talking to each other, you can play badminton or basketball or just chill in the hammocks... and of course you can always head to the beach.

The staff are friendly, the food is good (albeit slightly over-priced, but there is a good and cheaper restaurant right opposite), the vibe is perfect.

This is a great place to stay... and especially if you are traveling on your own, you should not stay anywhere else.

Stayed February 2013, travelled solo

Trip Advisor

“A real paradise...” * Thank you Mar!!!

The moment I entered Shiva Garden, everything felt so peaceful and relaxed. I had planned to stay just a few days, but ended up staying almost a month. I loved the big garden, with its coconut trees, banana trees, hammocks, swings and tree huts. Every morning I started my day with yoga. I really liked Sonia's way of teaching and her guided meditations. Also an astrology / numerology session with her gave me a lot of insights. Varkala is a perfect place to find the balance between self development, relaxation and social time. Almost everybody who ends up at Shiva Garden, stays much longer than they originally intended. Therefore you really get to know each other and it's so nice to spend time together. Varkala, and especially Shiva Garden, is a place which is pretty difficult to leave...

Stayed November 2013, travelled solo

Trip Advisor

A Home away from home

Inside the courtyard is a wonderful refuge for travelers. Guests gather in the communal hut to enjoy delicious simple food and free wifi. There is a play area for children and sports enthusiasts offering basketball and badminton. The highlight of the place is the manager Afzal who warmly and enthusiastically takes wonderful care of all the guests giving each his personal attention. We felt so taken care of. It was a nice relaxing casual atmosphere in which to escape the busy beach and tourist strip on the top of the cliff.

Stayed January 2014, travelled with friendsTrip Advisor
Trip Advisor