Happy Turtles Wellness & Retreats (Warm Water Therapy & Homestay) — Hotel in Kerala

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d find myself immersed in water, let alone gliding and vibing beneath it, given my long-standing water phobia. But that’s the magic of Prema, an empathetic and incredible Watsu water therapy practitioner! Her intuitive guidance didn’t just help me confront my fears, but allowed me to embrace the water in a way I never thought possible.

The experience was ineffable—so calming and deeply grounding that I couldn’t resist booking a second session on the same day, as I wanted to relive the tranquility. That sense of absolute peace, both in body and soul, stayed with me long after the sessions. It felt like revisiting something primal, and safe, almost as if I were reconnecting with a long-lost part of myself. The session was like returning to the safety of the womb—floating weightlessly and rediscovering a profound connection with my soul. In fact, for me, it felt like a journey back to the safety of my mother’s womb, immersed in complete tranquility.

The underwater peace was sublime, akin to floating weightlessly in the amniotic sac-a feeling of absolute calm and connection to my soul, my elements, and my essence. It’s not just therapy; it’s an Aaha! moment of transformation. That Aaha! lingering sense of calm continues to resonate, and I can’t wait to experience it again. If you’re curious to discover what lies beneath the surface—not just of the water, but of yourself—Prema’s Watsu therapy at Happy Turtles is the must-go journey you’ve...

This place has a very serene vibe which you can feel almost as soon as you sit at any place here in the backyard. The homestay is extremely carefully decorated by the host Prema and you can't help but admire the art and the thought behind it. Everything about this place instantly calms you down. My friend and I stayed here for 6 days during which I had to work for 4. Even though I spent most of my day in the room working (pretty fast wifi connectivity here btw), I would take my breaks in the backyard and feel more centered just by being there. We opted for the honecooked completely organic meals provided by our geacious host Prema a few times and those were by far the most delicious meals of our Kerala trip. The south beach is a walking distance from here. I also opted for the water therapy by Prema which I was a little skeptical about because I am a huge guy compared to her but I am so glad that I did! The water therapy session deeply relaxed me and I felt very centered for the whole day...

I'm so glad I spotted the paintings of Watsu water therapy/massage on the wall during a walk through Varkala: my Watsu session with Prema was one of the highlights of my stay in the town. I love regular massages, and the Watsu water massage was just so unique, freeing and joyous in comparison. It's a big recommendation for someone looking for something different to a massage to add variety to their trip. She can make it as advanced (with time underwater) or calm as you need.

Prema is a Keralite who quite recently moved to Varkala. It was great to chat to her before and after the session (and I say this as someone who isn't usually a chatter!). She and her husband have renovated their house and yard very tastefully (including installing the Watsu pool): Happy Turtles is all in all just a great place to visit while visiting Varkala.

I don't have Gpay to be able to pay the deposit, but after booking via the link on Instagram, I was able to just send her a Whatsapp message and sort my...