Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
Read our review policy
Kerala homestay, independent reviews
 Reviewed 7 Jan 2009 by Lindsey Miller |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There are so many wonderful memories that I will hold dear in my heart, it is hard to choose one. I remember the peaceful quiet of morning sitting in the kitchen drinking fresh chai. I remember the awesome cooking and culture lessons, going into town and buying spices and saris from the local shops and not "tourist" areas. I spoke with a yoga teacher about philosophy, and visited a local elementary school and orphanage. Even the seemingly simple things such as walking to the river and visiting with the neighbours was something I will never forget.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't plan anything and leave lots of room in your luggage! When I arrived T.S. and Sarada had a superb plan all laid out for me. Everything they suggested was worth experiencing. Also know that one week is not nearly enough time.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Absolutely! Instead of going to the big tourist areas I was shown the local family owned shops. The water used is from the well, even most of the vegetables were from the garden. Nothing goes to waste here.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This vacation was fabulous. My only regret is that I didn't have enough time here. I learned so much from T.S. and Sarada about local culture and an Ayurvedic lifestyle. I'm a vegetarian and was blown away by how good the home cooked food was. I also was traveling alone, which as a young woman can be scary. I felt so comfortable and at home. I would highly recommend staying here and plan to do so again myself.
| Reviewed 14 Oct 2007 by William Jackson | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Being part of the family. A lot of places advertise themselves as home stays but fail to provide a family atmosphere and a sense of real inclusion that we found at this accommodation. We were welcomed into family life and undoubtedly got more out of staying here than we would of in any other accommodation. The food was exceptional and simply being in the company of all 3 generations of the family kept us entertained and truly content for a week. If we are ever lucky enough to be in India again then the trip would not be complete without another stay at this accommodation.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you would like to stay with a family in a true Keralan setting, have fantastic conversation and eat incredible food then stay here. From making initial enquiries to arriving at the door it was the easiest process I have been through and made our first steps through India infinitely easier.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. The environmental work done by the family and the efforts made toward a sustainable lifestyle with minimal impact on the local environment are a driving force behind the home stay idea at this accommodation. We learnt a great deal about the work done and it made us more informed travellers with a better idea of how to limit our impact on the places we visited afterwards.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Exceptional. We will honestly never forget the week we spent here and would love to visit again.
| Reviewed 3 Mar 2008 by Barbara Lamplugh | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The warmth and personal interest of the family and the time taken to share their day-to-day activities and enlighten me about their culture. The house is beautiful and the food was absolutely delicious.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go without set ideas of what you want to do, be open to whatever is suggested.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The family were very aware of the environmental impact of tourism and tried to minimise waste and pollution. Guests were taught to respect the local culture and customs.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, a wonderful experience.
| Reviewed 18 Jan 2008 by Aj Ryan | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The beauty of the actual property was enchanting, an 800 year old home with dark shady corners and tiled floors. It was peaceful and thrilling to be there. The bright as a button little girls that delighted us all! All the food was delicious, beautifully and expertly cooked. The enthusiasm for which my hosts wanted to share what they knew of their town and their own ways. The endless generosity and wish to make my time wonderful and rich. The affectionate 'goodbye' after just 2 nights of staying.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Definitely call ahead on the day that you are expected! This is a general tip regarding any homestays in Kerala (as it is unlike arriving in your own time and pace at a hotel or guest-house in the UK). If you do not, you're likely to find that you'll be 'told off' by your hosts when you do pitch up. Not a great way to begin your stay for either of you. Something I also learned was that you can give your auto-rickshaw driver a couple of rupees and the telephone number to go and call the homestay on one of the many local phones that are always available in the shops and street bazaars. He can then get specific directions from them. This will mean a smoother travelling experience and avoid a messy conversation about 'how much?' when you finish the journey.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I did! I felt that I didn't create any extra rubbish or waste in the area in which I stayed. All food and water was served from home, so there was no packaging or bottles to discard from anything I might have bought outside. All of our waste, of which there was little, was biodegradable. The money I paid for staying went to the family. I was using water from the property's own well. Unlike in a resort, I was not making a damaging impact on power (water and electricity) resources locally.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I loved it. I have been touched by it and the family. I will remember them always, I'm sure. (I have already passed on the details of this homestay with heartfelt enthusiasm to other people I met as I continued to travel around Kerala!)
| Reviewed 19 Oct 2005 by Susan Germein | |
Recently I stayed at a homestay in Kerala, that I found on your website. I’d like to post a review, as they were such nice people and deserve more customers. I took my 9 year old daughter for a holiday to India. We stayed for a couple of nights at a heritage Keralan house in the countryside.
The owners of the house – Mrs. Saradammal & her husband TS Parameshvaram were lovely people, very generous with their time. They live in a traditional way, using ayurvedic herbs from the garden, drawing water from a crystal clear well, cooking us beautiful south Indian food. The house is gorgeous.
Close by was an elephant training camp – sounds a bit grim but it was actually very interesting. My daughter and I were able to walk down to the river with the baby elephants for their morning bath. Priceless. The house is also very close to Kalady, the birth place of Shankara, who was one of the greatest sages the world has known.
There is a very peaceful temple there – worth a visit. We felt drawn into their family and would definitely want to go to see them again. They are an easy drive from the Cochin airport.
The owners of the house – Mrs. Saradammal & her husband TS Parameshvaram were lovely people, very generous with their time. They live in a traditional way, using ayurvedic herbs from the garden, drawing water from a crystal clear well, cooking us beautiful south Indian food. The house is gorgeous.
Close by was an elephant training camp – sounds a bit grim but it was actually very interesting. My daughter and I were able to walk down to the river with the baby elephants for their morning bath. Priceless. The house is also very close to Kalady, the birth place of Shankara, who was one of the greatest sages the world has known.
There is a very peaceful temple there – worth a visit. We felt drawn into their family and would definitely want to go to see them again. They are an easy drive from the Cochin airport.
| Reviewed 20 Dec 2007 by Jill Cox | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking through the country lanes and across streams in the early morning following a hand-drawn map provided by our host to see the elephants from the local elephant kraal being bathed in the Periyar River. Also visiting the small dance school in the village where we were welcomed by the teacher and invited to watch girls of all age learning classical dancing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you would like to opportunity of living with three generations of an educated Brahmin family and experiencing the daily pattern of life, then you will enjoy staying here. Do not go expecting luxury or pampering, and be prepared to fit in with the family - after all, it is to experience life with a family that you will be choosing this holiday. You will have the opportunity to talk to your hosts and eat with your hosts - and be charmed by the two lovely children.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
This is an environmentally aware household which behaves respectfully towards the environment by, for example, having no refrigerator which not only reduces power usage but also means that all food is freshly prepared. Holidaying here benefits local people such as taxi drivers, rickshaw drivers and shopkeepers and certainly has a low environmental impact.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We were perhaps a little unlucky that Mrs Saradammal was away from home for the three days we stayed here, as the dynamic of the home may have been different from usual. Also our visit coincided with preparations for the Hotel Inspectors who came to inspect the green credentials (they passed!) which was clearly an important event for the household and was the main focus for one of the three days of our stay. We were glad to have had the privilege of staying with the family, and for the insights they gave us into life of a Brahmin family in India. The house is in a village in a green and beautiful area and you can spend pleasant times walking the local lanes and tracks.