Hotel Blue sea - Your Second Home...
Hotel Blue Sea Kovalam is an international tourist hotspot that holds a prime place in any globetrotter’s itinerary. Tucked away in its charming though rustic landscape is Hotel Blue Sea that assures you a perfect homestay. Kovalam (in the Kerala district of India) that shot to world fame post 1970 has three inviting beaches - Light House beach, Hawah beach and Samudra beach. All are separated by sculpture like granite rock outcrops, many parts of which remain bathed in the foamy waves of the Arabian sea.

Now, just a stone’s throw away from the magnificent Hawah beach, also called the Eve’s beach, stands tall the majestic Hotel Blue Sea.

The 75-year-old colonial edifice of the hotel complex with central courtyard is the centre of attraction. Here the ambience is serene so as to inspire your creativity. The haunting architectural marvel of a bygone era would simply inspire you to scout for the history and heritage of the locale. An extension of the main building has curious multi-storeyed circular condominiums. There, it is altogether a different new world…

Hotel Blue Sea, of course, takes care of all your travel goals. Want to get the taste of ethnic cuisines or head for other scenic spots in God’s Own Land?
Want to feel the rejuvenating effect of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian healing system?
Want to be regaled by Indian art forms like Kathakali or Bhartanatyam?

Hotel Blue Sea will give all that and more from under its roof.

Neelakanta Panicker, the legend of Kovalam


Hotel Blue Sea which opened in 1981 owes its reputation to Sri Neelakanta Panicker (1887-1978), the grandfather the hotel’s MD, Mr Sabu. Panicker. His unmatchable prowess and ability made himself endearing to the local citizens of Kovalam.

He took part in India’s freedom movement, and imbibed Kerala’s great social reformer Sri Narayana Guru’s principles before setting out for social activities.

Thykavu Bhavan was his home domiciled at a place called Azhakulam which lies between Vizhinjam and Kovalam. (Azhakulam is located in the Kottukal village of Neyyattinkara Taluk). Panicker’s father was Thykkavil Kochappi and mother Ananthu. He got married to Paachiamma and they had three sons and two daughters.

Though he had his primary schooling from a local Malayalam medium school, through hardwork, he became a pundit in Vedanta,Upanishad, Brahmasutra, Gita, Kalari payattu and marma chikitsa.

Panicker loved all people, whether rich or poor and earned their respect too. Because of his great commanding power, charisma, and do-good-do-right attitude, people started addressing him as “His Highness of Kovalam”.

Panicker’s contribution to the uplift of socially and economically backward classes was commendable.

Many social and educational development happened during Panicker’s time at Vizhinjam, Kottukal, Pachalloor and Thiruvallam, thanks to his selfless efforts. He became the first president of Kottukal panchayat and continued in that position till his demise. In 1931 he built a primary school at Kovalam on his own land. In 1936, the school was handed over to the government. The school was named after him and even today, it is known by the same name - Government Neelakanta Panicker Lower Primary School (GSNPLPS).

In 1932 Panicker established a weaving centre at Kovalam, which threw open employment opportunities to many.In 1942, he built a cinema theatre at Kovalam for the public and started a branch of the Federal Bank. The Primary Health Centre at Vizhinjam was originally a hospital founded by him. In 1964 he formed Leprocy Advisory Committee and was its president.

Panicker’s next main goal was to develop Kovalam into a tourist centre. For this, he donated his own land to build the Tourist Bungalow at Kovalam.

He also dabbled in agriculture and farming sector. He developed many irrigation facilities; established Thiruvallom Pachallor Coir Industries Co-operative organisation; started business of coconut, fish and coir.

Panicker later became a member of the Government District Development Committee. For the development of Kovalam, he traveled across the country and abroad; he interacted with great personalities of that era. Eminent persons like Pattom Tanu Pillai, R Sankar, T A Varghees, C Kesavan, Paravoor T K Naryana Pillai and A J John were his close acquaintances.

To sum up this great man… this puritan… this moralist…gave a new face to Kovalam. Hotel blue sea is definitely the symbol of his excellence….fruit of his hardwork and result of his perspiration…