Kerala Tourism Dept Approved
Diamond category backwater home stay at North of Kumarakom
Stayed here in the lovely property for three nights. Homely staff takes care of your every requirement. Do inform the owner for a bonfire and you would love it to the fullest. Enjoy the viewpoint and a trek to the sucide point. It is aptly located to drive and watch the hilly excuisite wonders of kerala.
Had the opportunity last January, to stay at this amazing place, along with my office team. It is a family run place, and in no time, we became part of the family.
The villas are spread around the ancestral house of the family who runs this place. Devoid of any commercial extravaganzas, this is an ideal place for a quiet get away. No blaring horns from nearby roads, no crowded lobbies and restaurants... it was as good as we owned the place. The lush green lawns overlook the Vembanad backwaters. In short, one of those rare places where you get what you were promised, and more!
Mr. Siby and Mr. Thomas, the brothers and their families looked after our needs very well. They were always there to assist us. The three days that we were there, they organized everything for us.
The highlight of the place is the simple Kerala home style food, especially non-vegetarian. Captained by Bharathi chechi, the team took us on a gastronomic adventure of local fares.
Rooms are spacious, and basic amenities are in place.
If you are not a sucker for five star luxury and facilities; if you want to literally chill out; if you want to experience the soul of Kerala... this place is for you.
We booked for 4 nights, but said we might want to extend. Well, we stayed for 7 nights, and had to drag ourselves away.
As our TukTuk turned off the road and into the beautiful tree-lined drive of the estate, we were just enthralled. And even the geese who appear in many of the photos were there to greet us.
We were shown to our room, one of only six, and sat outside on our roomy deck, gazing down the gardens to the lake. Thomas (whose family have owned the estate for generations) and his charming wife Remsi came bearing delicious chai to chat with us, and confirm our food preferences. We had only booked B&B as that seemed to be the only option, but we were assured that we could have lunch and dinner too. They assured us that it was all cooked by Remsi, using local ingredients.
So we relaxed after a long bus ride (actually 2 buses) from Kumily, and then went to the dining area. And were presented with the most superb vegetarian food ever. Beautifully spiced, great variety, and a constant pressure to eat more! Then some fresh desserts to finish off. The one thing Baska and I agreed on was "no lunch"!
A good night's sleep, then an equally splendid breakfast. Remsi was keen to talk about any particular dishes or ingredients we liked, and these appeared on the table as our stay went on.
So, that's the food. The location was great for us too, as we love walking. The walk to the nearest town, Vaikom, is just a few kilometres. Although it is all road, there isn't much traffic, so it's really pleasant. We got to recognise all the shopkeepers on the way, and they got to know us - the "mad dogs and Englishmen, out in the noonday sun" as Noel Coward would have it.
We also took advantage of the lake, with a sunset canoe trip, which was spectacular, and a 2 hour early morning trip in a large flat-bottomed boat gliding silently along the canals of the backwaters, punted by our boatman, and with a very knowledgeable and interesting guide.
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My husband and I stayed 4 nights at the villas and had a lovely time in the area. We were very glad to be away from Allepey and enjoy this laid back area. Thomas arranged everything for us from picking us up at the airport, organizing canoe trip in the back waters, a trip on a houseboat in Allepey, booked at Ayurveda massage for me.,
Thomas wife is a very cook and got a good chance of tasting different types of Kerala foods. We also got to meet their 3 children who were very charming and helped with us a lot of things. The stay in the chalet was comfortable and I was glad that we had chosen one with air conditioning as it had started to become very warm weather. Hot water provided at all times and so was electricity. The view from the villas were excellent of the lake and the channels. We also saw a lot of beautiful birds. This place was a good start for beginners to India as the place was quite and staff very helpful. Thank you so much for lovely stay.
This is the place to stay!! Food is excellent, family are abuzz with helping any way they can. Gave us a tour of their garden, fruit, palms and spices. It's right on the lakeshore and absolutely quiet. You can sit on chair from your veranda or lawn and watch the many boats plying the lake in the distance. They are building a yoga studio right beside the water, it will be an inviting space in a natural setting.
This villas belongs to a very caring n loving family. U get the feel of yr home with birds chirping. Swings around. Ducks in the pond. The lake is just around u where u can go boating. Thewhole family is involved with yr comfort. U get home cooked food prepared by the lady of the house. Recommend this place. Go for it .
