Arriving at Philipkutty’s by boat is a hint of the remote, immersive experience that awaits in this family-run homestay near Lake Vembanad. Days can be spent cycling through tiny villages, exploring Kerala’s picturesque and sleepy backwaters, or simply relaxing on a rattan planter’s chair with a good book and a view of the water. The birdlife is superb, with kingfishers, woodpeckers, cormorants and herons as well as birds of prey such as Brahminy eagle. You could take a cooking lesson with the mother of the family, or explore the 750-acre farm where coconut, mango and spices grow.
While the family are on hand to introduce you to life in the backwaters, the separate villas offer a more private escape. The simple but elegant rooms reflect the traditional Keralan style, with wooden ceilings, terracotta floors and an inviting veranda looking out over the water. All but one have a separate living area, while ensuite bathrooms, fridges and tea and coffee facilities add home comforts. Food is a particular highlight, with home-cooked, abundant meals served communally, either in the family dining room or outdoors in the thatched pavilion. From hot Keralan fish curry to string hoppers and appam, many of the dishes are Syrian Christian with a strong backwater influence to bring you a true taste of the region.
Nestled in the lush forests of the Western Ghats, this delightful property sits in a coffee and cardamom plantation and is ideally located for exploring the town of Munnar as well as the flora and fauna of the wildlife-rich hills.
Drifting leisurely down the backwaters of Kerala aboard a traditional kettuvallam introduces you to a simpler, slower pace of life and brings you into contact with the people who make their living on the banks or the waters of this riverine network.
Exuding heritage charm and grace, Brunton Boatyard sits on Kochi’s waterfront and is walking distance to many of the key sites, including the Chinese fishing nets.
An eco-friendly resort near Alleppey, Marari Beach Resort sits in palm-fringed gardens that roll down to the sands where fishermen push colourful boats out to sea.
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