Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa, Kovalam

Perched on a forested hillside a short walk from Samudra Beach, this Taj resort sits beside a quiet lagoon with dense trees on three sides, which keeps it calmer than the coastline it technically belongs to. Keralan architecture with a Balinese lean runs through the cottages and villas, and the Jiva spa handles the rest. Three restaurants cover seafood, regional Indian cooking, and all-day eating without sending you into town.