Havelock Island Paradise: Senses Resort's Unforgettable Escape
Havelock Island Paradise: Senses Resort – A Messy, Magical Memory (and Everything in Between)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the (perfectly sanitised!) beans on Senses Resort in Havelock Island. Forget the glossy brochure; this is the REAL deal, warts and all. Because let’s be honest, perfection is boring. It's the imperfections that make a trip memorable, right? And boy, did Senses deliver on memorable… in every possible way.
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- Meta Description: An unfiltered review of Senses Resort on Havelock Island! From stunning sunsets and maybe accessible issues to delicious food and the best massages ever. Discover our honest experience – the good, the bad, and the hilariously memorable moments.
Getting There & Getting Around (Accessibility - Ugh, that word!)
Reaching Havelock is a journey, let me tell you. Ferries, speed boats, the whole shebang. So, technically, physically getting to the island itself is an adventure (think choppy seas and the faint whiff of diesel).
Now, about the resort itself. Accessibility is something they say they offer, but… well, let's just say it's "Indian accessibility." There's an elevator, which is a definite win. Yay! However, navigating the grounds in a wheelchair would be a challenge. I spotted some ramps, but they weren’t always gracefully integrated. And, honestly, some of the pathways were… well, let's just say uneven. So if you’re mobility challenged, double-check and call to confirm prior to booking. Don't rely solely on photos.
…But Then, there's the Bliss! Relaxing, Pampering, Unwinding…
Forget the bumpy start, once you are there, ahhhhhhh. This is where Senses shines!
- Pool with a View: This is the main draw, right? And it delivers. Picture this: Infinity pool spilling into the turquoise sea, fringed by lush greenery. Palm trees swaying, cocktails clinking, and the sun painting the sky in fiery hues. It's pure, unadulterated bliss. I spent so much time in that pool, I’m pretty sure I started developing gills.
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Okay, so I'm not a sauna guy myself, but the Mrs… Well, the Mrs lived in the spa. She raved about the massages. Specifically, this one masseuse named… (I can't remember her name, sorry! Memory of a goldfish), but she was magic. Apparently, she could knead away all the stresses of, you know, life. She also went for the Body Scrub and Body Wrap. And I even snuck in a Foot bath once, which was divine. Actually, the word "divine" is appropriate. She emerged from her spa excursions radiating something akin to pure, untainted joy. Worth every penny.
- Fitness center/Gym: For the guilt-ridden among us (hi, that's me!), there's a fully-equipped Fitness Center. I went… once. It was clean, well-equipped, and I spent all the time staring out the huge windows, imagining the pool I was skipping.
Food, Glorious Food (and Drink!)
Alright, let's get down to the important stuff: FOOD. Senses does a pretty decent job here.
- Asian Breakfast, Western Breakfast, Buffet in Restaurant: Breakfast, included in the cost of the room, was a solid affair. A decent buffet featuring everything from fresh fruit (the mangoes were divine!) and waffles to your standard (and predictable) Indian fare. Asian Cuisine in Restaurant which was an occasional feature was great. I am not the biggest fan of Coffee but in the Coffee Shop I liked it.
- Restaurants & bars Plenty!
- Room service [24-hour] always a bonus. Because after a few too many poolside cocktails, sometimes all you want is a burger delivered to your door at 3 am.
- Poolside Bar: Crucial. Absolutely crucial. Cocktails, mocktails, and snacks, all conveniently located right next to the aforementioned pool of awesome.
- Desserts in restaurant: I did notice a slightly irritating aspect here. It seems they run out quite early in the evening.
- Alternative Meal Arrangement: This was a welcome bonus.
The Room (and the Little Luxuries)
We got a Non-Smoking room (thank goodness). It was spacious, clean, and well-appointed. The Air Conditioning worked like a champ. The Bed was comfortable (important!). And the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a godsend, even if the signal occasionally took a brief vacation.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub (yes!), Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- Additional features: The Mini Bar was stocked with the essentials (aka, the things you need to survive a hot day). Free bottled water a nice touch. I had a lovely view of the ocean (yes, you can get a sea view room) with a balcony.
- Imperfections: The Soundproofing was not perfect. We could hear the inevitable late-night party of the guys from the room next door a few times.
Cleanliness and Safety (A Post-Covid World)
Okay, let's talk about the elephant (or tiger prawn) in the room – COVID precautions. Senses Resort takes it seriously, and you could feel it.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Hand sanitizer everywhere, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They had Staff trained in safety protocol. Safe dining setup. And they were Hygiene certified (tick!)
- Individually-wrapped food options. And for once, I didn't feel like I was constantly being watched.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter)
They've got all the usual suspects:
- Concierge: Helpful, friendly, and always willing to assist. (I needed a replacement for my lost sunscreen, and they were on it!).
- Daily housekeeping: The room was spotless, thanks to those guys.
- Laundry service.
- Cash withdrawal.
- Currency exchange.
- Luggage storage.
- Doctor/nurse on call.
For the Kids… & the Kid in You
While the main draw is the relaxation, Senses is surprisingly family-friendly.
- Kids facilities including a dedicated play area and maybe kids meals (I didn’t personally see it, but they mentioned it). Babysitting service (if you need it).
Things to Do… Beyond the Pool (and the Spa)
Beyond the glorious pool, there's actually stuff to do!
- Beach time: Of course! Radhanagar Beach (one of the most beautiful beaches in Asia) is a short ride away. (And they'll happily organise the transport).
- Things to do: water sports, snorkeling, diving excursions.
- Access: They offer CCTV in common areas. CCTV outside property. Fire extinguisher. Front desk [24-hour]. Safety/security feature. Security [24-hour]. Smoke alarms.
The Quirky Bits & Bobs (The Stuff the Brochure Omitted)
- The Staff: The staff… were GREAT. Friendly, helpful, and utterly charming (even when you accidentally locked yourself out of your room at 2 AM).
- The Little Things: There were little touches, like fresh flowers in the room and a nightly turndown service.
- The Imperfections:
Okay, buckle up Buttercup, because this isn't your average, sterile, itinerary. This? This is me, in Havelock, at Senses Resort, trying not to turn into a grumpy, sunburned lobster. Be warned, there will be sand. And probably tears.
HAVELOCK HELL-VACATION (A.K.A. MY SHOT AT PARADISE)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (and that damn mosquito)
Morning (Actually, REALLY Early): Flights are the devil. Seriously. I swear I'm pretty sure my luggage has its own personality at this point because it's never even close when I arrive. But! We arrived. Checked into Senses. First impressions? Uh, the lobby is pretty. Like, Instagram-worthy pretty. But then I saw the room…and immediately questioned my life choices. Let's say the AC was optimistic and the "sea view" involved a lot of squinting and a healthy dose of imagination. A mosquito, seemingly the size of a small bird, dive-bombed me. Welcome to India, my new blood-sucking friend.
Afternoon: Lunch, which was an exercise in ordering things you think you'll like but secretly suspect will require a Pepto-Bismol chaser. The fish was good, though. Okay, maybe this paradise thing isn't a complete lie. Walked along Radha Nagar beach. Breathtakingly gorgeous. Like, picture-postcard perfect. And, of course, a little bit crowded, which reminded me I'm also the world's grumpiest human being.
Evening: Drinks at the resort bar. Which, bless their hearts, had a decent happy hour. Swapped anxious travel stories with a couple from…somewhere (I blacked out their nationality, I'll be honest). This is where the existential dread kicked in, a common side effect of solo travel, and I began obsessively staring at the tide, thinking about eternity and the inevitable entropy of the universe. Decided a second cocktail was the appropriate response. Turns out, it was.
Night(ish): Dinner. Sat outside, ate some delicious curry, and stared at the goddamn stars. And then the mosquito attacked again. Furious.
Day 2: Diving Deep (and Into a Meltdown)
- Morning: Okay, the real reason I came: diving. I'm a certified scuba diver, but it's been a while, and a mild panic attack on the boat to Elephant Beach didn't help. The water was ridiculously clear, like, crystal clear. Which, of course, made me even more aware of how deep it got. Saw a turtle! Totally worth the near-drowning experience. Actually, I started to feel better. The reef was a rainbow explosion. The fish were like, "Hey lady, you okay?" and swimming.
- Afternoon(ish): Lunch on the beach. More of the same, tasty but spicy dishes, and a sudden, inexplicable urge to call my mother. Fought the urge. Decided to just chill on the beach, trying to find my zen, and failing pretty spectacularly. The sun is powerful! I'm definitely red.
- Evening: Dinner on the beach at the resort. Candles. Romantic music. Another happy hour. Did I mention I like happy hour? I actually started talking to a group of other guests, which is remarkable because I generally prefer to hide under a rock when I'm traveling. We laughed, told stories, and decided that our problems were all pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Day 3: The Havelock Hustle (and My Impending Divorce from Technology)
- Morning: Took the ferry to Neil Island. It was… crowded. Like, elbow-to-elbow crowded. A bit of a chaotic clusterfuck. But! Amazing views. Arrived at Senses resort via ferry. Found my space in the lush green with ocean views. Breakfast and coffee.
- Afternoon: Beach exploring. Found a beach that wasn't completely overrun! Actually, it was paradise. Again. The water was impossibly blue. The sand, white. Spent an hour just staring at the ocean. I think I finally got to that zen I've been looking for. Or maybe it was just the sun frying my brain.
- Evening: Candlelit dinner at the resort. Overate. Regretted it. Vowed never to eat carbs again. Then the restaurant offered me bread. I ate it.
Day 4: Goodbye Havelock (and a Confession)
- Morning: One last dawn. One last breakfast. One last wander along the beach. Then, the dreaded packing. This is where I realized I actually liked this place. And the people. Even the mosquito.
- Afternoon: Ferry back to Port Blair. Tears? Maybe. Definitely.
- The Truth: Okay, here's the confession. I went to Havelock expecting perfection. I wanted insta-worthy photos and effortless relaxation. I wanted to become a completely new person. What I got was a sunburn, a mosquito bite, and a whole lot of messy, imperfect, real life. And you know what? It was pretty damn amazing.
P.S. Buy that mosquito spray, you idiot. You've been warned.
P.P.S. Seriously, it's the best kind of mess.
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Havelock Island Paradise: Senses Resort - My Slightly Chaotic Guide
Okay, so Havelock Island... is it actually paradise, or just Instagram-filtered paradise?
Alright, real talk. Havelock? Stunning. Beaches? Blindingly white. Water? See-through, turquoise, like someone spilled a bottle of expensive dye (in a good way!). BUT... paradise with a side of reality check. The humidity smacks you in the face the second you step off the ferry. Seriously, my hair looked like a bird's nest for DAYS. And the internet? Let's just say you'll be intimately reacquainted with the concept of *patience*. So, yes and no. It's breathtaking, but bring your chill pills (and maybe a good book for those internet-less afternoons!).
Senses Resort specifically – is it all luxury bliss or is there a catch? (And spill the tea!)
Senses Resort… hmm. It's trying REALLY hard to be luxurious. The rooms? Gorgeous, huge beds, outdoor showers (which I LOVED, even if the geckos did occasionally join the party). The infinity pool overlooking the beach? Instagram gold, obviously. The staff? Mostly lovely, trying their best to cater to your every whim. The catch? Look, things aren’t always seamless. I remember one morning, I ordered pancakes. They were supposed to be fluffy. They arrived… flat. Like, pancake-shaped disappointment. I gently (read: passive-aggressively) mentioned it, and they brought me a SECOND plate, which were even WORSE. Eventually, I just ate the fruit bowl and grumbled about it for the rest of the day. I swear, I am not a picky eater! Mostly. But, overall, worth it. Just maybe temper your expectations a little.
What are the best things to DO on Havelock Island? (Besides, you know, just breathing?)
Breathing is important! But yes, DO THINGS. Snorkeling at Elephant Beach is a must (even if the "elephant" is long gone – poor guys!). The coral and fish are incredible, and the water is ridiculously clear. I nearly lost my contact lens laughing at a clownfish. Seriously, it just sat there, staring at me, judging my snorkel skills. Scuba diving is phenomenal (provided you have a good instructor and aren’t terrified of the deep blue). The jungle treks are fun, too, if you can handle the heat. Just bring DEET, because the mosquitoes are ruthless little vampires. And definitely, go for sunset watching at Radhanagar beach. It's legitimately magical, and you'll think you've fallen into a postcard.
Tell me more about the food… is it good? (Because let's be honest, food is important.)
Food! YES. Food is life. Senses Resort has a decent restaurant, but venture OUT. There are some AMAZING little beach shacks. Fresh seafood, curries that will blow your mind, and seriously good cocktails. The seafood thali… oh, sweet merciful heavens. I may have eaten it three times. (Don’t judge.) One little restaurant near the ferry dock, I can’t even remember the name, but I had the most incredible grilled prawns there, bigger than my hand! And the spice? Just the right amount of FIRE. Be prepared to eat a lot of rice. And, okay, maybe the occasional dodgy stomach. But overall, the food is a major highlight. Just go with an open mind and a strong stomach.
What’s the biggest disappointment you had on your trip? (Be honest!)
Okay, this is a tough one. I'm genuinely trying to think of a HUGE disappointment, because generally I had a great time. The slow internet was a minor issue, the pancake situation a little more significant, the humidity a constant companion... but the *biggest*? Hmm... I guess, probably, was the weather on one particular day. It POURED. Like, apocalyptic rain. I had grand plans to go snorkeling, and instead, I was stuck in my beautiful, albeit slightly damp, room, nursing a lukewarm coffee. The sky was grey, the beach was deserted, and I was feeling sorry for myself. It wasn't exactly a disaster, but it definitely threw a wrench in my plans... and I felt a little bit cheated of my sunshine. It’s just that feeling of ‘I’m on a tropical paradise and I can’t even enjoy it’ vibe. Minor, perhaps, but significant in the moment. And I was hangry. (See the pancake incident, above.)
Anything I should *absolutely* not forget to pack?
Besides the obvious (swimsuits, sunscreen, etc.), here's my invaluable advice:
- Bug spray with DEET - Seriously, those mosquitos are relentless.
- A phone charger- Long ferry rides!
- A waterproof phone case - Beach life! Instagram opportunities!
- A good book! - Because the internet is iffy.
- A refillable Water bottle: Hydration in the heat is key and not wasting plastic is good.
- Basic first-aid kit: Just in case!
- Your sense of humor. And maybe a healthy dose of patience. You'll need it!
One tip you wish you’d known *before* you went?
Book everything in advance! Especially ferries and popular activities like scuba diving. I ended up scrambling at the last minute to get a spot on a dive, and it was stressful. Also, don't expect everything to run on schedule. Embrace the "island time" vibe and go with the flow. Otherwise, you'll drive yourself crazy because things will be late. Just relax. And try not to get too hangry. (See pancake incident, again.)
Okay, tell me about Radhanagar Beach - what's the deal, and is it worth the hype?
Radhanagar. Oh, Radhanagar. Yes. Worth the hype? Absolutely. It’s stunning. I mean, genuinely, breathtakingly beautiful. The sand is this ridiculously fine, white powder that feels amazing between your toes. The water… wow. Crystal clear, the perfect shade of turquoise you see in travel brochures, and warm – like a bath, but a really, really pretty bath. The beach is wide, long, and just… perfect.
But! Here’s the reality check. It's busy. Very, very busy. Especially during peak season. You'll be sharing the paradise with a LOT of other people taking pictures. And trying to find a spot on the sand can be a bit of a challenge.
So, my strategy? Go for sunset. The crowds thin out (a little), and the colors in the sky are just unreal. I sat there one evening, watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting theUnbelievable! SPOT ON 2726 Kopo 355 Indonesia - You WON'T Believe This!
