Xandari Pearl Beach Resort

An absolutely memorable staycation, enjoyed to the core at the Xandari Pearl Beach Resort, beautifully nestled on the serene shores of Mararikulam Beach. We visited as a group of 26 families from GAIL India Limited, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, the traditional welcome and refreshing drinks set the tone for a thoughtfully curated experience. The resort’s unique accommodation, the standalone thatched villas blended rustic charm with modern comfort. Each villa came with its own indoor plunge pool, open-to-sky bathroom, and a delightful complimentary mini-bar stocked with fruit baskets, lemon and grape juices, and jars filled with home made chocolates, banana chips, and sharkara varatti—a warm touch of Kerala hospitality. The activities offered were diverse and engaging: Kayaking, pedal boating, and fish feeding in their water bodies; Cricket, volleyball, kite flying, and cycling for the sport enthusiasts; Palm leaf crafting, organic farm and cattle visits for a taste of local life. A leisurely high-tea session added to the charm. A special highlight was the Yoga session at the Beach, organized in the eve of the International Day of Yoga. The resort team went above and beyond, even renting an extra-long cable to set up sound systems on the beach—something truly unexpected and appreciated. We also hosted a gala dinner at their open-air restaurant with a DJ, an evening filled with laughter, music, and great food under the stars. A big shout-out to the resort staff-Sumith, Arun, Jyothish, Christy, and Godson- for their impeccable hospitality. They were always present, coordinating smoothly and ensuring every need was met with a smile. Special mention to Jyothish, who worked closely with us to curate the menu, and the result was simply delicious. The stay at Xandari Pearl was more than a getaway; it was an experience of togetherness, nature, and thoughtful service. Truly a staycation to cherish!

Pros: * the food is very good. * the staff are very attentive and there is high levels of service all round. * the rooms are spacious and comfortable. * it’s a very peaceful setting. * the pool area is pleasant. * my wife and daughter were very impressed with the spa treatments. Cons: * the bathrooms for the villas all seem to be external, which in itself isn’t a problem but there are issues with condensation forming on the outside of the windows and in particular on the ceiling of the bathroom. We regularly had discoloured drops of condensation falling on our backs and shoulders while trying to clean our teeth. This also happened in our children’s room though to a lesser extent. The hotel must be clearly aware of this given that the bathroom ceiling in our room (number16) has obviously been replaced and that the shower curtains that would’ve increased your privacy have all been removed. Frustratingly, when we highlighted this situation to reception they implied that it was our fault for leaving the door to the bathroom open and therefore letting out the cold air from the bedroom. This theory just does not stand up to scrutiny. * intermittent power cuts. * the beach is featureless and there is a steep drop off into the sea. The section in line with the hotel is clean, but you don’t have to travel too far to see masses of litter. The hotel hasn’t made much effort to utilise their stretch of beach and you probably won’t get much use out of it yourself. * they were a number of items on the menu that were never available. In particular they listed three or four different Indian beers of which only one was ever in stock. Conclusion: We we booked this hotel as somewhere quiet to relax after touring around Kerala and it delivered in that respect. However, if you’re looking for entertainment, you may be better off elsewhere. The service and food were excellent , hence 4 stars, but I can’t help but think that they were hindered by the management/owner not sufficiently investing in maintenance and stock.

After two weeks touring in beautiful Kerala, we arrived at Xandari Pearl for three days relaxation before our flight home. We were welcomed and looked after by Manju (customer liaison) throughout our stay. The whole team of staff were so friendly, helpful and always smiling - the gardening team who were constantly sweeping up leaves, housekeeping who returned my laundry smelling beautiful within a couple of hours, the spa staff and the restaurant team, in particular Vishanth who spoke brilliant English and had an amazing sense of humour and fun. The pool area had extremely comfortable loungers and the pool was small but adequate. The spa treatments were reasonably priced and so relaxing. I would recommend the Njavara facial. The private beach with very attentive lifeguard is beautiful. Worth going at sunset and also try the kite-flying - great fun. The sea is a bit rough - best to go in the morning. Towels are provided for the pool and beach. There is an extensive and interesting fruit and vegetable garden providing home grown produce for the restaurant and also a butterfly and orchid garden. There are trees, plants and flowers everywhere throughout this peaceful resort. Our room was huge with everything we needed including a garden with hammock and lounger and outdoor shower. And last but certainly not least, the food was absolutely delicious. Just beware - a portion is for two! I recommend this resort wholeheartedly for a relaxing experience in a calm, friendly environment.