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Holiday in homely peace
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Homestays have gained popularity as vacation accommodation. Kochi has plenty tochoose from
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Home and away Inexpensive and informal
Do you want to experience
Kerala in its real
settings? Then opt
for a homestay. What
exactly is a homestay and
how much is it different
from a hotel?
It is a stay offered in a
house, a farmhouse or a
heritage house converted
to accommodate guests.
Being a lived in home it offers
a relaxed atmosphere
and a chance to interact
with the host family.
Kerala has recorded a 70
per cent increase from last
year in the number of
homestays.
"Tourism scenario today
is on the verge of a shift
from the traditional high
end holidays to the warmth
of a domesticated and personalised
environment,"
says Gikku George, Secretary
of Kerala Homestay
Association. "The homestay
mechanism fits into the
needs of tourists."
Around 20-30 homes in
the city outskirts have
opened their doors to
guests. Unregistered homestays
number even more.
`Guest is king'
Mohan who runs `Royal
Home Stay' at Thripunithara
says, "guest is king". He
offers his guests a cool stay
in the country side with the
choice of savouring local
cuisine and a variety of
programme packages.
Kumbalangi, is a perfect
reminiscence of old, pristine
Kochi. `Kallancherry
Retreat' run by Lawrence
is famous for its home
cooked Kerala cuisine.
This two-acre coconut
farm has perfect ethnic
setting. Fresh seafood
cooked and served the traditional
way is where its
charm lies.
Local cuisine, village life
and the opportunity for a
retreat in colonial-era is
special about `Ayanat
House', located about 30
km south of Kochi. `Ayanat
House' offers airy rooms
amidst coconut plantations.
Further south is Emerald
Isle, a
lesser-expensive village
paradise.
`The Bungalow Heritage'
and `Sreeragam Homestays'
are luxurious. The
Bungalow Heritage is in
Vypeen. Built in 1930, this
building is a mix of Portuguese,
Dutch and Kerala
architectures. There are
less expensive places like
Chakupurackal homestay
with its unique Italian architecture.
Kimansion,
Sonnetta, Padikkal, Greenwood
Bethlehem and Saj
Home are wholly traditional,
something which
the tourists look forward
to.
The Bat & Ball Inn is India's
only cricket homestay.
Nestled in a quiet
by-lane in Kochi, it is copromoted
by cricketers
Sreesanth and Robin Uthappa.
It provides an ideal
stay for cricket lovers.
Attractions
A stay in a homestay allows
focussed hospitality
on the guests as a homestay
cannot have more than five
rooms as per the recent
guidelines of the tourism
department. Homestays
are personal and still allow
you the privacy and exclusivity
you desire on a vacation.
They are inexpensive
too in comparison to a stay
at a hotel.
Some helpful links are:www.homestaykerala.com,www.keralahomestaysonline.com, www.exploreruralindia.org,www.heritagestay.com
NISARY MAHESH
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