“BEAUTIFUL SETTING, HOMELY, GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY” ** Thank you Lucilla!

I stayed here in January after recommendations from a few travellers I had met. Although the location is not right on the cliff top, a quick five minute walk and you are there! It was actually very nice not staying right in the middle of the hustle and bustle as it gave you time to relax and absorb the wonderful surroundings. Shiva Garden had a lovely homely feel to it, which is great when you are travelling! The guest-house is surrounded by wonderful gardens, palm trees and hammocks - perfect for chilling out. The staff were very sweet and helpful and definitely contributed to the wonderful energy of the place. We stayed in a treehouse on the first night which was lovely and comfortable, we then moved to a double room with a little balcony which was spacious and comfortable. The breakfast was delicious - lots of fresh fruit and Masala tea! The communal area was great to relax in, either talking to other travellers or checking emails. My overall experience was a very positive one and I would highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Varkala. It was extremely good value for money! And the owners baby daughter is so adorable (an added bonus!) Thank you for such a wonderful stay!

• Stayed January 2014, travelled with friends
• Trip Advisor

“Great accommodation, fantastic food and friendly staff.” * Thank you Tom!

We found Shiva Gardens by chance and end up staying for 7 days. The room was clean and had all that we required, including a mosquito net. Jayan, the manager and his staff made us feel very welcome and nothing was too much trouble. The resteraunt served the most authentic Keralan food in town with everything cooked fresh. The beach was only a short walk away and the garden was a welcome relief from the heat of the day. I'm not sure when we'll get back to Varkala but when we do we would definetly stay at Shiva Gardens. We would happily recommend this guest house to anyone looking for a relaxing good value place to stay. Chances are you'll end up staying longer than you expected.

• Stayed December 2011, traveled as a couple
• Trip Advisor

“Great atmosphere and a place to meet people”

The dorms are great value for money, good place to meet people as a solo traveler. Has great staff who are very helpful and friendly. Lastly has great hammocks.

• Stayed January 2012, traveled solo
• Tripadvisor

“Great place”

I stayed in Shiva Garden (October 2011) cause a good friend told me I should do, she was so right! I arrived and Jayan the owner said hello with a big smile and I already felt home. The staff is helpfull and friendly. Good rooms for a fair price. I stayed 9 nights there and I'm sure I'll go there again as soon as I'll travel trough India again...

Stayed October 2011, traveled solo

Trip Advisor

“Amazing 2nd warm home abroad!” * Thank you Simon!

I arrived around midday and the warm hearten Sonia welcomed me in a very lovely way.
They gave me a mattress covered with a mosquito net in the dorm on the rooftop. Simple but extremely cheap and charming. The atmosphere at this guesthouse is really gorgeous. Its like one big family where you always feel at home. The garden is beautiful and perfect to relax at the chill out area. From time to time they are doing barbecue with an amazing dance show from small Indian boys and from Sonia herself. Just lovely. I intended to stay a few days but finally stayed more than one week. Not only great for budget travelers but for everybody who like to get in touch with this awesome place!

• Stayed February 2012, traveled solo
• Trip Advisor
• 
  

“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

“Shiva Garden is amazing!”

The owners, Jayan and Sonia, made us feel at home and are two of the kindest people I've ever met! The food there was incredible. We ate a traditional Keralan thali almost every day, and the prices were more than reasonable. The accommodation was lovely, and after a week in one of the regular rooms, we were allowed to move into one of the apartments for our final week, with no raise in price. Sonia and Jayan were incredibly helpful during our stay and for my birthday they took us out onto the backwaters to visit Golden Island. My girlfriend was having yoga lessons every morning with Sonia up on the rooftop, despite Sonia being eight months pregnant. The location of the guest house was perfect too. Just a five minute walk from the beach and only a two minute tuk-tuk drive to get to Varkala town. Every time we wanted to go somewhere, Jayan would call for a tuk-tuk for us so we barely had to lift a finger. Subash was one of the staff at the guest house and though he didn't speak much English, he was an incredible worker and saw to all our needs. Lots of young travelers would show up to stay for a night or two and the dining table was a great place to meet other people from all over the world. If you're traveling alone, as a couple or in a group, Shiva Garden is an ideal place to stay when you're in Kerala. I highly recommend it!!

Stayed September 2012, travelled as a couple

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

“We loved this place!”

My Girlfriend and I stayed her for 3 nights during our recent trip to India and loved it! It is so relaxing and makes you feel so comfortable. 
We had one of the apartments and we were amazed with how much we got for our money - clean and quiet, really lovely. 
The staff are welcoming and the food is amazing.... my girlfriend still says its the best she had in India! The Fish Thali is massive but well recommended! 

If we visit Varkala again we will stay at Shiva Gardens!

Stayed December 2012, travelled as a couple

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

“Clean, happy and beautiful”

Great hospitality, amazing staff. Clean and affordable. 
Food is good, and it seems like only 'good' people stay here....

choice of shared rooms or private rooms, both are comfortable and clean. 

A real garden of eden :)

Highly recommended!

Trip Advisor

“A Magical Place” * Thank you David!!!

Shiva Garden is a magical place. I have returned there time and time again over the years. its located just a 3 minute walk from the beautiful main beach. Shiva Garden is probably the most budget friendly place near the main beach. the owner Jayan is a very sweet man. He always treats customers like a guest in his home. This place has a very peaceful energy. the owner and his wife have a beautiful baby that smiles at everybody. when ever i stay here i always stay longer than expected. this is one of the few places in Varkala where you don't feel like anybody is trying to scan you. The food is excellent. really its all about the atmosphere. Shiva Garden has the good vibes!!!

Stayed September 2013, travelled with friends

Trip Advisor

“Great stay”

Really glad we found this place, really relaxed vibe. Good food, great service, Jayan and Liju were really helpful arranging trips, transport and stays at other homestays as well. Lots of the other guests were friendly too. Great value, would love to go back for longer.

Trip Advisor

Decent Place

I will suggest any of you with out any doubt because it's good place for all budget travellers.good value for money. nice staff ,good atmosphere with an excellent courtyard. Afzal was so helpful during our stay.

Trip Advisor