Kerala can be is said to be the Homestay Capital of India. Homestays come in all varieties. This section aims to decipher between different homestays and give and idea as to what to expect in each one of them. 

Heritage Homestays (Kerala Home) : Kerala has a rich tradition of building large family homes typically termed as "Tharavad" or "Tharavadu".  Such homes are rich with wooden period furniture and are well-maintained. Typically these homes are situated in rural surroundings with lot of greenery around them. Some are transplanted and re-installed in entirety and modified with modern fittings (These are typically like an independent cottage or a mansion). Others are original large family homes where typically there are more than one rooms and one stays with the family. 
e.g. Pooppallys Heritage Homestay at Alleppey has one such Heritage Cottage in Addition to the Family Home. Tharavad Heritage Resort at Alleppey is a good example of family managed Homestay. Tharavadu Heritage Home is an example of family managed Heritage Homestay. River and Rubber is a riverside home is a part of the 100-year-old aristocratic Kanankuzhayathu family House (Tharavadu).

Heritage Homestays (Colonial Home) : Fort Kochi area used to have Dutch settlements some 300 years ago and have a lot of Dutch Mansions converted, some of them are now converted into Heritage Hotels or Homestays. Period Furniture, original look & feel and color scheme are maintained to give a unique heritage feel of an era gone by.
e.g. Old Couryard, Ki Mansion, Ballard Bungalow are few such examples of such Mansions

Plantation Stay :  Plantation Stays are basically an experience based stays situated in large plantations. Plantations grow Coffee, Tea and Spices (Cardamom, Vanilla and Pepper). Such stays offer a lot of activities such as trekking, plantation trails etc. 
e.g. Vanilla County near Palai is an example of such a farm.

Plantation Bungalows : Plantation Bungalows are Plantation stays but having accommodation in a typically colonial era plantation bungalows. 
e.g. Tranquil in wayanad is a good example of a Plantation bungalow. Malabar Escapes - Privacy in Idukki dist. is another such high end option.

Beach Bungalow : Beach Bungalows are ones that offer accommodation on a beach front. 
e.g. Karikatthi Beach House at Kovalam is a good example. Raheem Residency is a high end heritage Beach House at Alleppey. Villa Jacaranda at Varkala is another well done up Beach Stay.

Backwater Stays : Kerala sports an extensive backwater Canals network and Lakes. Some of the homestays are located right on the edge of such waterfronts. Some go even a step further and are located right in middle of a backwater island (Accessible only by Boat). What such stays offer is a feel of backwater village life coupled with some very good views. 
e.g. Olavipe is a heritage home situated on a backwater Island near Kochi. Illikkalam Lake Resort is a simple lakefront resort. Malabar Escapes - Serenity, Casa Del Fauno and Kovilakom Lake Side Villa high end and more exclusive lakefront villas. Pooppallys Heritage Homestay and Kuttanadu River Resort are situated on a backwater canal. Aymanam Village Resort is an example of a country side farm on a backwater canal with heritage interiors. Kerala Gramam is an example of a Kerala country home with a large lakefront. 

Heritage Homestays (Mana) : Mana is the centuries old feudal Namboothiri (Kerala Brahamin) Illam (house) , have a glittering cultural heritage in the field of Kathakali (classical dance form) , Carnatic Music, Melam and Thayampaka (classical percussions), Literature and Rig Veda.
e.g. Oalappamanna Mana near thrissur is a prime examples of a Mana Home.

Activity Centric Homestays : Most of the above homestays are high on charm and views offered. Activity Centric homestays are more simple accommodationwise. However these more than make up with the cuisine and activities on offer. Activities here comprise Country fishing, trekking, plantation tours, Village visits, handicraft centre visit and cookery classes. Yoga and Ayurveda also can be arranged upon prior request. 
e.g. El-Paradiso Homestay and Suresh Green View at Thekkady are good examples of the activity centric homestays. Gowri Heritage Residence is also a good example of such stays.

Ayurveda Homestay : Ayurveda is a ancient science of medicine that is widely practiced in kerala. Ayurveda is a combination of massages, medicine, meals and treatments which are applied based on  individual constitution. Some of the homestays specialise in Ayurveda. Homestays by definition have fewer rooms on account of which the resident doctors (Often the owners are themselves) are able to offer a highly personalised ayurveda stay.
e.g. Hari Vihar Heritage Home near Calicut and Sangamam Health Resort near Kottayam are prime examples of this category. 

Birding Stays : Homestays near bird sanctuary are a birders delight. 
e.g. Periyar River Lodge is a good examples of birding stays.

Hill Retreats : These are typically located on a hill station offering an adventure holiday (Trekking, Mountaineering etc.).
e.g. Camelot and Olive Brook are a good examples of a Hill Retreat.

Nature Retreats : These are typically set in a village backdrop with lot of trees and greenery around it. These are recommended for a relaxed stay and a village experience .
e.g. Aymanam Village Resort is an example of a country side farm on a backwater canal with heritage interiors.

Houseboats : Kerala offers exclusive backwaters cruise  in Ketuvallams Boats (Traditional Kerala Rice Boats) which is now generically termed as "Kerala Houseboats". Houseboats are typically never spoken in the same breadth alongwith a homestay but have ability to offer a memorable and personalised experience. Most guests remember their houseboat stay for amazing backwater and lake views and Kerala Cuisine. Visits to various points during the cruise offers one a quick insight into the unique backwater lifestyle.

Houseboats come in 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom and 5 bedroom Variants. Houseboat section lists  the entire range of Houseboat options.

Meals : A common denominator in all of them is Kerala Cuisine. Cuisine in Kerala is mix of Veg ad Non Veg (Chicken, Duck, Mutton, Seafood) with a distinct Coconut base. North Kerala has an entirely different range of cuisine which is termed as Malabar Cuisine which has lot of varieties of spices incorporated.

Homestays for Whom ? Homestays should not be mixed with cheaper stays as some of the homestays are even more expensive than a star category resorts. Homestays are more exclusive and personal and therefore are recommended for those who are looking for a complete experience beyond the standard amenities and services offered by a regular resort. Homestays expose tourists to local culture, traditions, crafts and cuisine, therefore are recommended for those looking for a comprehensive Kerala experience.

What is recommended ? Homestay Enthusiasts work out an entire itinerary out of various homestays. However most others include one of two homestays alongwith regular hotels/resorts for the sake change and different experience it offers.

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Please email to keralahomestays@nivalink.com with dates of travel and your area of interest and we will suggest a complete itinerary (Entire homestays or combination of regular resorts and homestays).

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