[androdev]

Planning a long weekend (4-day) trip to some seaside place. Our 8-month old son will be traveling with us. Need recommendations from fellow members.

Criteria:
1. Most important - comfortable drive by car (combination of distance, road conditions)

2. Comfortable stay - expensive is okay but more family-like and less corporate-like. don't like places where lot of company-sponsored executives and foreigners hangout. Good seafood will be added bonus.

3. Great beaches without much crowd.

Thanks guys!

[rjstyles69]

You closest and best bet is Pondy or Mahabs. I recommend that you try Ideal Beach Resort in Mahabs if you are looking for something real nice.

I have been there and have had a wonderful experience.

Therezz no point in driving to the beaches of karnataka since the roads are in shambles.

[Jammy70]

Hi androdev,

There is a little known beach resort near Calicut called Kappad Beach Resort. I have stayed there in Dec'06 and am revisiting during the Puja break. The distance from B'lore is around 360km and should take around 7-8 hrs. The roads are good and take you through Mysore, Gundulpet and Wayanad.

What I liked about the place is it is a small, clean beach which is not commercialised (at least, it wasn't in Dec'06) and the hotel is fairly nice to spend couple of days.

Here is a link to details of the resort on HolidayIQ (incidentally, you will find my review also): Kappad Beach Resort, Kappad - Address, Phone Number, Website, Price - Book Kappad Beach Resort

Cheers,

[prasad14]

You could try NC Garden Beach resort, near Calicut (but towards south of Calicut). My review of the same here and the resort's web page is here.

[gowda79]

Go to Murudeshwar near Mangalore, the best beach and good hotels and temple all in one place

[manjubp]

Originally Posted by rjstyles69

You closest and best bet is Pondy or Mahabs. I recommend that you try Ideal Beach Resort in Mahabs if you are looking for something real nice.

I have been there and have had a wonderful experience.

Therezz no point in driving to the beaches of karnataka since the roads are in shambles.

Last weekend I was at Pondy, in Zest Big Beach resort (A Mahindra Company), not all that great. Beaches in Ponday are rough and entering into water is too dangerous.

However, nice roads, great drive and food.

regards,
-manju

[surfatwork]

murudeshwar is overrun by pilgrims!!!

[akroy]

If cost is not a issue, Pls try out Dune Eco Resort in Pondicherry.

You will enjoy every moment. Check out Getting to The Dune
It is further north from pondi on ECR.

Abhi

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by akroy

If cost is not a issue, Pls try out Dune Eco Resort in Pondicherry.

You will enjoy every moment. Check out Getting to The Dune
It is further north from pondi on ECR.

Abhi

I would second that.

@manjubp... Beach in the Pondy town is just rocks, you got to get a little bit out of Pondy to see the real beaches. St. James Court is a nice cosy place to be too.

[MuraliR]

my suggestion too would be Pondy / Mahabs.
The roads are decent and since you are taking your infant along, it makes more sense.

Roads towards the K'nataka beaches are bad and the kid may start feeling nauseated.

[rjstyles69]

Originally Posted by manjubp

Last weekend I was at Pondy, in Zest Big Beach resort (A Mahindra Company), not all that great. Beaches in Ponday are rough and entering into water is too dangerous.

You prolly haven't driven beyond Pondy and hence that comment. Next time venture out and maybe you need to explore ECR and the backwaters in Chunnambar. You will be astonished and yes I speak from experience .

[RuffRyder]

Originally Posted by rjstyles69

You prolly haven't driven beyond Pondy and hence that comment. Next time venture out and maybe you need to explore ECR and the backwaters in Chunnambar. You will be astonished and yes I speak from experience .

if you drive a futher beyond Pondy the beaches get better..
as esteem_lover pointed out St. James Court is my fav place to stay in Pondy which also gets you a private beach (well almost) and if money is no problem you could even try the Grand MGM in Mahabs, which is a wonderful place but heavy on the pockets..

[dadu]

The service & food at ST. James is pathetic if not worse. You might get your lunch in the evening if they have taken a booking for a party at their restaurant for the night(might!!!). I dont know if that has improved over last 6-7 months.

[jagan0677]

Originally Posted by rjstyles69

You prolly haven't driven beyond Pondy and hence that comment. Next time venture out and maybe you need to explore ECR and the backwaters in Chunnambar. You will be astonished and yes I speak from experience .

+1 to that. the first time i was really impressed by the beaches/backwaters there. makes Pondy the ideal weekend beach getaway from Bangalore - not too far, easy relaxed drive, laidback, nice food. my favourite. also doesnt need much of planning.
one must, however, be extra-careful driving on the ECR.
I still havent explored calicut beaches that much. Till then, i guess, this is the ideal beach destination from Bangalore, for me.

[RuffRyder]

Originally Posted by dadu

The service & food at ST. James is pathetic if not worse. You might get your lunch in the evening if they have taken a booking for a party at their restaurant for the night(might!!!). I dont know if that has improved over last 6-7 months.

it has not improved yet...but the times that i have gone there, my focus was not on food, so did not make much of a diff to me..if you know what i mean..