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Arrival and First Impressions
Arrival at Taj Bekal carries a certain quiet composure. From the moment we stepped inside the gates, the pace of the outside world seemed to recede.
The welcome was understated yet deliberate. A cooling chandan tilak was placed gently on the forehead, followed by seashell garlands draped around our necks. It was a small ritual, rooted in the coastal character of the region, but it immediately set a personal tone.
Inside the lobby, the air carried a light botanical fragrance. Not overpowering, just present enough to soften the senses after the journey. The architecture allowed the space to breathe. Natural light filtered in while the lobby opened toward a reflection pool where a small fountain moved steadily at the centre. The sound of water, rhythmic and calm, created a quiet backdrop.
We were invited to sit on a plush sofa while the check-in formalities were completed. A chilled welcome drink arrived soon after. Staff moved with the kind of ease that comes from experience rather than script.
Then came a thoughtful surprise. In recognition of our anniversary, the team arranged a room upgrade.
Inside the room, a simple “Happy Anniversary” arrangement awaited us, accompanied by cakes and small desserts placed neatly on the table. The gesture was personal without being performative. It felt genuine.
After settling in, I stepped out toward the private plunge pool with a bottle of red wine and two glasses. The water was still, the afternoon quiet. Moments like these rarely require conversation. They ask only that you pause and take them in.
Golden Hour by the Backwaters
Later in the afternoon, we made our way toward the backwaters for high tea.
By then, the sun had begun to soften, and the light across the water had taken on a warmer tone. The seating area overlooked the calm stretch of the river, where the surface moved only slightly with the wind. Ginger tea arrived first, followed by a selection of small savoury bites. Nothing elaborate, but thoughtfully prepared and served without haste. We sat there for a while, watching the water settle into the evening. The quiet of the backwaters carries a different quality compared to the sea. It feels measured, almost reflective.
From there we walked toward the beach. We carried two chatayis and spread them on the sand. Small fragments of coral were scattered along the shoreline, catching the fading sunlight.The sky shifted slowly through layers of orange and purple as the sun lowered toward the horizon. No music, no crowd, just the steady rhythm of the tide and the changing light.
Dinner by the Backwaters
After sunset, we returned to the resort and headed toward the Backwaters restaurant for dinner.
The setting here felt distinctly different from the beach. The river beside the restaurant moved slowly, almost mirror-like in its stillness. Lantern lighting reflected gently on the water, giving the space a quiet glow. Dinner was presented as a buffet, though the curation felt thoughtful rather than excessive. The spread leaned into regional flavours. Kerala spices, coastal preparations, and familiar South Indian comfort dishes appeared alongside a few broader Indian selections. It felt less like a display of variety and more like a celebration of local culinary character. We took our time with dinner. The service remained attentive without interruption, allowing the evening to unfold naturally.
Night Walk and a Peaceful Morning
After dinner, we walked slowly through the resort pathways.
The Kerala air in March carries a soft warmth that feels comforting late in the evening. Palm trees moved gently with the wind while the pathways were lit with subtle ground lighting. Nothing harsh, just enough illumination to guide the walk.
Somewhere along the way, we found ourselves back at the beach. We sat quietly, watching the horizon where the darkness of the sea met the night sky. The breeze had grown stronger and the waves carried more energy. There are moments where conversation becomes unnecessary. Simply sitting beside someone you love is enough.
Eventually, we returned to our room and called it a night.
Morning arrived gently. We woke early to watch the sunrise over the backwaters. The sky moved gradually through shades of orange and amber while the water reflected the shifting light. With a cup of hot tea in hand, we sat there for a while. The stillness of the early morning felt almost meditative.
Soon after, we walked once again toward the beach. The breeze was soft, the sound of the waves steady and familiar.
Breakfast was followed at the Backwaters restaurant. A relaxed spread of South Indian staples, fresh fruit, eggs cooked to order, and strong filter coffee. The kind of breakfast that invites you to linger rather than rush.
Afterwards, we returned to the room for some quiet downtime.
Slow Moments and Simple Joys
Later in the afternoon, I returned to the plunge pool with a glass of wine. Floating quietly in the water, with the villa walls offering privacy and the sky open above, time seemed to stretch. My husband joined much later. Nearly three and a half hours had passed, though neither of us had noticed. At places like this, time behaves differently. There is no sense of urgency, only the freedom to move through the day at your own pace.
In the evening, I spent some time in the resort library. A plush red velvet sofa sat near a large window overlooking the reflection pool. I picked up a book and read for a while, occasionally glancing outside at the soft movement of water in the courtyard.
Dinner that night felt better suited to the privacy of our villa. Room service arrived quietly. Instead of dining indoors, we carried the meal to the plunge pool. Sitting in warm water under the open sky, sharing a simple dinner while looking up at the stars created a moment that felt both intimate and memorable. Later we moved inside and played a few rounds of cards. The shuffle of the deck, light teasing over small wins, and the easy laughter between rounds brought the evening to a gentle close.
The next morning, after breakfast, it was time to check out. We left Taj Bekal carrying the kind of memories that stay long after the trip ends. Not defined by grand gestures, but by quiet moments that felt thoughtfully crafted and deeply personal.
