Malika Ayurveda Beach Retreat
Varkala, Kerala
Ayurveda among Coconut Palms and the Arabian Sea
Malika Ayurveda Beach Retreat is located in Varkala on the west coast of Kerala, on a high cliff with panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. The spacious grounds cover approximately 2.5 acres and consist of gardens, lawns and a coconut grove, with the centre’s low-rise buildings and accommodation units scattered throughout. The beach is approximately 150 metres away.
The setting itself is one of Malika’s greatest strengths. This is neither a large hotel resort nor an Ayurvedic hospital, but a small treatment centre with only 14 rooms, where guests stay surrounded by greenery and in close proximity to the ocean. A large covered open-air yoga hall and generous outdoor spaces give the entire place an airy and informal character.
Two Ayurvedic Therapy Sessions Every Day
One of Malika’s distinctive features is the intensity of its treatment programme. The residential packages include two therapy sessions per day, totalling approximately 75 minutes, with treatments performed by two trained therapists. The programme is complemented by daily medical consultations, individually prescribed Ayurvedic meals, necessary internal medicines and yoga.
Treatment is planned according to each guest’s health condition and individual constitution. Malika offers rejuvenation and relaxation stays as well as classical Panchakarma and programmes focused on specific health concerns. The centre has explicitly confirmed that, when medically indicated, it also performs traditional cleansing procedures such as Snehapana, Vasti, Vamana and Virechana.
Ayurvedic treatments
Treatments used at the centre include, for example:
Abhyanga and Snehana – oil therapies and massages
Shirodhara and other Dhara therapies – application of oils or herbal liquids
Pizhichil – full-body oil therapy
Elakizhi, Podikizhi and Njavarakizhi – therapies using herbal and other therapeutic boluses
Kati Vasti and Pichu – localised oil therapies
Udwarthanam – herbal powder massage
Nasyam – therapy administered through the nasal passages
Vamana, Virechana and Vasti – classical Panchakarma cleansing procedures
eye, ear and other specialised Ayurvedic treatments.
From Deeper Panchakarma to Rejuvenation
Individual stays are not based simply on choosing treatments from a catalogue. The physician determines their combination and course according to the needs of each guest.
For those seeking a deeper cleansing programme, Malika offers classical Panchakarma, as well as a 21–28-day programme combining Panchakarma with subsequent rejuvenation and adjustments to the daily routine. In addition, Malika offers programmes focused on areas such as:
rejuvenation and healthy ageing,
arthritis and joint problems,
spinal and cervical care,
weight reduction and metabolic balance,
stress and general exhaustion,
psoriasis and certain other skin conditions,
cleansing and support of the sensory organs.
Depending on the particular programme, stays range from a few days for relaxation programmes to 21–28 days for deeper cleansing and rejuvenation. For a genuinely therapeutic stay, however, we would primarily recommend Malika for a two- to four-week Ayurvedic programme.
Only 14 Rooms
Malika’s intimate size is another important advantage. The centre offers only 14 air-conditioned rooms in total:
6 × Garden View Room
2 × Garden View Cottage
6 × Sea View Room.
The rooms are simple, spacious and comfortable, with private bathrooms. This is not a luxury design hotel – the emphasis is instead on comfort during a longer therapeutic stay and on the environment of the retreat itself.
Sea view room
Room with sea view are located in the main building and come with a safe, air conditioning, and a balcony offering a breathtaking view of the sea.
Garden view room
Rooms with garden view for single use are located in the main building and are equipped with a safe and air conditioning.
Garden view cottage
Cottages for single use are detached, located behind the main building and are equipped with a safe and air conditioning.
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Malika has its own Ayurvedic restaurant, which serves food specifically prepared to complement the treatment programme. The menu is recommended by the Ayurvedic physician and adapted to the guest’s individual constitution, ongoing therapies and the purpose of the stay. The centre states that fresh local ingredients are used.
Food here is therefore not simply standard hotel full board with an “Ayurvedic option”, but an integral part of the treatment process.
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The same organisation, Keraleeya Ayurveda Nilayam, also operates the sister Streeshakti Ayurveda Beach Retreat near Thiruvananthapuram, created exclusively for women. According to the centre, the entire facility is run by women, and its treatment programmes are designed with the specific needs of the female body in mind.
Streeshakti is even more intimate than Malika, with only 8 rooms. It is located directly by the Arabian Sea and features a swimming pool facing the ocean. It therefore offers an interesting alternative for women who prefer an exclusively female environment.
What Makes Malika Special?
Malika is particularly well suited to guests who want to combine serious Ayurvedic treatment with a stay by the sea, without looking for a large luxury wellness resort.
Its distinctive character comes from the combination of several features: only 14 rooms, spacious grounds among coconut palms, a cliff-top location overlooking the Arabian Sea, two therapy sessions per day, the possibility of classical Panchakarma, individually prescribed meals and daily yoga.
The result is a place that retains the character of traditional Kerala Ayurveda, while at the same time offering an environment where several weeks of treatment can be experienced as a peaceful stay surrounded by tropical nature.