Check Out from Hotels and Resorts
The last half a decade has seen some radical changes in the notion of travel in India. While backpacking, single travel, ethically motivated travel and other such concepts have gained momentum with a wide audience, a much needed concept has brewed slowly but surely in some states of our vast country. The much advertised and engrained Indian hospitality has found its bearings in the commercial tourism sector in the form of homestays. A brilliant source of income for locals and a perfect way to showcase the much talked about Indian smothering! Where best can you experience such an effusive welcome? In the homes of the locals’ ofcourse!
A little ripple of this marvellous idea in a few states has managed to stir the subcontinent sufficiently. Kerala, presumably being the first to start homestays, is now the credible example for others like Goa, Karnataka and Rajasthan. Not only have these tourist savvy destinations imbibed the idea, but almost all locations in India can list places which are willing to make visitors feel at home (quite literally!).
Home Away from Home
With enormity and variety the most significant characteristics of India, a North or South Indian traveller is just as much as a foreigner in a new location, as are the inbound travellers from other countries. The diversity in culture, food and language alienate us completely from the areas which lie far from us. While there is a great opportunity to explore your own country, it can be a little intimidating for many. Homestays provide that apt comfort of a home along with the knowledge of the local family about their own vicinity. Who best can fill you in with great anecdotal information and other minute details, other than a veteran of the place? After a fulfilling day of outdoors seeing new sights, one doesn’t quite appreciate being plunged into the impersonal confines of a hotel room. Some great company over a quick drink or a good hot cup of tea adds to the charm of the holiday.
Avoiding the Delhi-Belly
For many travellers, trying out the local food is on top of the agenda. A meal with the local family is most obviously the finest way to satiate a traveller’s belly! More so, it is a safer gastronomic adventure, knowing that the food has been prepared in clean, homely environment. While, almost all homestays offer a Bed & Breakfast plan, most families are ecstatic to have guests join them on dinner tables. Ofcourse, the arrangement also works best on the wallet! An intimate meal and a sumptuous conversation to go with it, provides a great insight into the lives of people. While many Indian travellers may understand the social aspects of a society, for a foreign traveller this is the best way to broadly understand the culture of a country. Specific needs for children and abstinence of some ingredients is dealt best with at homestays, as most families are sensitive to the needs of a guest.
Alleviating Pet Pains
Travelling with pets is another advantage which may make one sway towards homestays. While almost all hotels in India do not allow pets, homestays on the other hand are not always averse to families with pets. The harrowing experience to leave a pet at a kennel is eliminated instantly. It’s also a great way to expose your pet to new places and adjustment with other pets.
Safety
Single travel by women is fast catching up in India. Tourist savvy destinations are beginning to accept and encourage this with affability and assuredness. Coupled with this new outlook of destinations, add to your safety by looking out for a family to stay with, rather than a hotel.
Activities
Realising the various needs for a satisfying holiday, home –owners also chip in to organise activities like local sight-seeing, cooking classes, boating, fishing keeping your ‘alone time’ intact.
Homestay Stalwarts of the Country
The state that has clearly spearheaded the Homestay concept in India is none other than the most popular destination on the travel space of India – Kerala. While the more ‘tourist-visited’ places like Alappuzha & Fort Cochin have dotted the map with homestays, the over abundance gives a large choice to travellers. The streets in Alappuzha especially have homestays sprouted in every corner. While the exclusivity might be lost, the traveller is sure to find basic necessities at every turn, and that too at an affordable rate.
Goa, too, in the last few years has had an upsurge in homestays. The lodging topography though, is filled with luxury boutique homes. Tastefully decorated homes with classy weathered furniture, exquisite food and inimitable affection are profusely prevalent here – making the stay even more special than an elaborate resort. Well versed with international travellers, many homestays in Goa have also invested in pools to give the guests a unique blend of comfort of a home and luxuries of a resort.
Some of the most ornate homestays can also be found in Rajasthan in the form of erstwhile ‘Havelis’. Uttaranchal on the other hand is an ‘un-missable’ destination for those who have a green thumb. The homestays here, distinctly own the rightful place of the most well manicured gardens.
The pleasure of holiday is compounded with a closer tryst to one’s culture, tradition and social environment and homestays are the best way to experience this. Along with generating business and growth which lies in the hands of the locals, it’s a wonderful way to build resilient bonds. An affection filled dish of ‘curry meen’ prepared especially for you is bound to be etched longer in your head than the holiday itself.
Some defining examples of Homestays for Go-Air destinations
Kerala
1. Eden Garden, Fort Kochi – Mel and Judith have certainly emulated the garden of ‘Eden’ fairly well enough in their Homestay at Fort Kochi. Part of the over 150 year old house has been reserved to let out for guests. A charming spiral staircase and verdant surroundings with a small lake flushes out the pains of a journey almost immediately. With a host of famous international singers on the guest list, Eden Garden is one of the most unassuming places to stay in the cluttered streets of Fort Kochi. Mel can be reached on +91-98479 30003, http://www.edengardenhomestay.com/
2. Akarrakalam Memoirs, Alappuzha – Over a century old and reeking of history & tradition, Akarrakalam Memoirs stands akin to the backwaters of the Pampa River. Run by Jobin, this property is a short drive away from Alappuzha, but delightfully distant from the entire town’s clamour. Its access to the secluded backwaters is its greatest alluring quality. Houseboat rides, night fishing and proximity to untouched Kerala villages are fabulous add-ons to one’s stay. Jobin can be contacted on +91-9446366066, http://www.akkarakalammemoirs.com
3. Heron’s Pool, Idukki – The idyllic village of Munkadakayam is still consumed by one of the most prominent occupations for people in Kerala – plantations. For an experience of being plunged into the lush greens of vanilla, rubber, tea and coffee, treat yourself to Heron’s Pool. Mr. Chacko and family (with their delightful dog) are the perfect hosts ensuring that you get a eclectic dose of authentic Kerala food, a tryst with nature in the plantations & a bite of their illustrious family history. Mr. Chacko can be contacted on +91-9820482926, http://www.heronspool.com
Goa
1. Capella, Arpora, Goa – With their unmatchable flair for hospitality, Ayesha and Jamshed have certainly raised the bar for homestays in Goa. Capella, with its many delights like the Luca the Rottweiler, brightly painted bathrooms, wonderful food and great hosts is a favourite with those who have moved on from the ‘shack-living’ on the Goa beaches. A swimming pool, open bar and countless travel stories from Jamshed, it’s like coming home to old friends. A must-stay for those who want to explore North Goa. Ayesha can be reached on +91-99234 59488, http://www.capellagoa.com/
2. Olaulim Backyards, Olaulim, Goa – If you have had your fill getting sun burnt and chugging beers at the sandy shacks in Goa, it’s time to explore one of the hidden wonders in the sinuous streets of Oulalim. A great place for kids to be little adventurers, a coterie of animals also adds to their company. With a pool, a lake and wonderfully designed rooms, Pirkko and Savio love to share their serene space with discerning travellers. Connect with them on +91 9326017731, http://www.olaulimgoa.com
Off – Bangalore
1. Pegasus Art Farm & Bistro, Srirangapatnam – If dinner in Mrs. Benthin’s lush garden with a backdrop of sparkling fireflies is not on your itinerary, go right ahead and make some change in plans. Srirangapatnam is a mere two hour drive from Bangalore towards the historic city of Mysore. Not conventionally a stop-over for many, Art Bistro is sure to make you alter the usual plan. Great European food with dogs, rabbits and two adorable donkeys for company, Pegasus is brilliant homestay to plug in between busy holidays. For more details, call Mrs. Benthin on +91- 9448463645, http://www.the-take-a-break-place.com/