I had a fantastic time at the Shiva Samudra resort. I stayed in one of the indoor rooms, of which there are only 3 so we had excellent privacy. Coming from the US, the bedrooms and bathrooms are very clean and will be comfortable for westerners. The outdoor common area is very beautiful and the beach was not crowded at all, in fact we usually had the entire beach to ourselves more often than not. The staff are very genuine people and will do whatever they can to make your stay comfortable, and never tried to upsell or push us to spend more money. It is a quick drive to Gokarna town center, Mahabaleshwar temple, etc. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a relaxing time away from crowds and some of the most beautiful beaches you will find anywhere. Service: 5