agodaHomesBackwater Heritage Homestay
Aarppookkara, Kottayam, India - See map
The car parking and the Wi-Fi are always free, so you can stay in touch and come and go as you please. Conveniently situated in the Aarppookkara part of Kottayam, this property puts you close to attractions and interesting dining options. As an added bonus, massage is provided on-site to conveniently serve your needs.
Highlights
Facilities
Airport transfer
Valet parking
Pets allowed
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!
Luggage storage
Room service [24-hour]
Laundry service
Room service
Cheaper than 94% of all properties in Kottayam in the last 24 hoursCompared to 49 Kottayam properties at Agoda for various dates
Exceptional stay”
My husband and I stayed a week at this peaceful homestay during a two month visit to India. Backwater Heritage provided an AC room in a bungalow next to the original home, situated directly on the backwaters and nestled into a pretty garden. We loved bird-watching and reading on the swings (the big bed-like ones) under fans on the verandah. Xavier and Lovely served delicious homecooked Keralan food to us three times per day. Breakfast and afternoon tea/coffee were included, and while we normally drink only tea in India we made an exception for Lovely's excellent coffee. Xavier was a warm host, who provided us with a peaceful poled canoe ride at sunset and took us through the village nearby. Opportunities for boating and kyaking are available as are bicycles. The guests this place attracts are wonderful to meet. There were families, couples, business folks, Europeans, Canadians and Indians, but only a handful at a time. Perfect relaxation in a heavenly setting!
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Perfect For The Real Backwaters Holiday”
Rather than cruise up and down the lake in an expensively converted and tourist packed rice boat we opted to stay in this homestay in a central area of the smaller backwaters NW of Kottayam. And we are so glad we did. Xavier and Lowly look after all your needs which for us included taking traditional canoe trips around the villages, trips to the local church and the free loan of bikes. Combined with the excellent food cooked by Lowly, and the relaxing garden location next to a canal, this proved to be the perfct location for us to spend a few days.
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The best homestay in Kerala! Absolutely loved everything about my stay here. Highly recommend it! ”
A little off the beaten track, great room, fantastic authentic surroundings, very peaceful and of course the hosts went out of their way to mak me feel welcome and at home. The food and snacks were fantastic. Fresh fruit and juices from the garden and the meals were made with love and very generous in serving size. Bicycles available for guests on the property for rides around the backwaters was a wonderful experiences aswell. The boat came to fetch me at the homestay the next morning for a wonderful cruise. Nothinh bad to say about this homestay and not to be missed.
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Relaxing homestay in Kerala backwaters”
This is a great place which I'd like to visit again. Xavier and his wife Lovely are excellent hosts and Lovely cooks wonderful meals. It is pleasant just to relax at the homestay or you can enjoy the backwaters by canoeing, going on boat trips or walking through the villages. This part of the backwaters is relatively untouristy which I liked. The accommodation is clean and comfortable. Whether you are a single traveller, couple, family or group of friends you will enjoy staying here.
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A delightful rural waterside relaxing retreat.”
Every thing about Backwater Heritage was of the highest standard .The owners were delightful friendly hosts who made our stay so enjoyable.
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Excellent”
Arrived here late at night. We followed the address on Agoda and ended up in the wrong place. Make sure you type the name of the homestay straight into google maps if mapping on your own. This place is not in the city itself but located right on the backwaters. We only spent a night there so we can ride our houseboat in the morning but having had that experience, I would rather stay here again than rent another houseboat. Also, breakfast was great! The grounds were beautiful and peaceful. The owners were so welcoming and hospitable. Despite the late hour of our arrival, they offered to send out someone to help guide us to the property then gave us same chai while we were settling in. Overall, wonderful experience. Don’t hesitate to book here
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Fabulous location and food”
Wonderful homestay in a small backwater village. Food was great and the hosts were very welcoming and attentive. Xavier was very helpful in organising activities. Perfect place to relax and see the backwaters.
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Relaxing stay in beautiful location”
We loved our 4 night stay in this basic homestay. The location was perfect for relaxation, enjoying the real Keralan backwaters and friendly village life. Our hosts arranged a canoe trip, a visit to show toddy tapping and provided tasty food - but were a little unreliable in relation to timings (food usually arrived 30-40 minutes later than promised and our canoe and toddy trips were postponed numerous times at the last moment). We would definitely recommend.
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Exceptional”
This property has an old wooden bungalow, meticulously maintained by the owner Mr. Xavier & family. There is also a second bungalow, mostly built later but maintained very well. The property is right on the banks of a backwater stream and you can stroll around the canal banks, take a boat ride or just laze around on several swings tied on long trees here. Approachability to the place is through a pakka road and is just few kilometers from the main road. Bathrooms and toilets are maintained clean, host family is very hospitable and you have all that you need for a blissful, serene, calm holiday here.
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Peaceful homestay in the Backwaters”
this is a great place to stay if you want to get away from it all. it is a long way from town out in the backwaters. we stayed in the ac cottage and were lucky enough to be the only people staying there. there are day beds and swings on the verandas whcih is a great way to relax. if you want to keep up with the modern day though they do supply wifi. the owners are very friendly and the wife cooked us dinner and breakfast nbut we did find out later this came at a cost. we did expect this but it would have been nice to know up front what it was going to cost. the meals did only come to rupee though. we went for a walk through the streets to the local village which was lovely. they also organised a car and driver to drive us to periyar.
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Beautiful location, simple living, peaceful getaway”
Loved the backwater setting, the swings to sleep and rest on. Mr Xavier, family and helpers were all kind and courteous. He also arranged cars for us which was very helpful. Would come back again!
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A hidden gem”
If I had six stars I would have rated that. A lovely property with wonderful hosts Mr and Mrs Joseph. Their warmth and home food cooked by Mrs. Joseph was out of this world. We we're lucky to taste this authentic culinary of Kerala. The property is next to a canal, so you can try boating or kayaking. If you want to explore the nature, you can do so on feet or by riding bicycles available in the homestay. For bird watchers, there is plenty to explore. Overall would highly recommend this hidden gem.
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Exceptional”
After two and a half weeks of fairly strenuous travelling around South India this was the perfect way to unwind for a few days at the end of our holiday. The accommodation is not luxurious but it is very comfortable, the food was fantastic and the owners are a lovely couple who did everything they could to make our stay memorable. We would wholeheartedly recommend this homestay.
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Beautiful location on the Backwaters of Kerala”
This homestay looks out on the canal with a beautiful garden. The rooms are very basic and can certainly use some upgrades. The highlight of the stay was taking the public ferry which goes through the canals, which you're able to view life on the backwaters, and then onto the lake. The canal canoe trip provide by the homestay should also be done.
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Delightfully peaceful homestay”
We had an excellent 2 day stay at the Homestay. Xavier and his staff could not be more helpful.The meals, cooked in the traditional Kerala manner by his wife were superb.Boat trips could be organised and also Yoga classes both of which we partook.
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Awesome Property”
It's a cool place to stay with family & friends. Situated in a remote location with limited transport availability but if you wanna stay & relax from all hustle & bussle then this is a great choice! Mr.Xavier is really a Savior! Excellent Hospitality & awesome food provided. Will definitely come back again!
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Excellent in all respects”
This was by far the best homestay I have stayed in, I was there for a week, the host Xavier and his wife could not have been more welcoming and helpful. The food was exceptional, every meal bar none was memorable. Highly recommended!!!!
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Nice, but could be better”
Overall was fine, but comparing the quality of the accommodation with other places we stayed within the same price range, in Kerala, we found it rather basic. The rooms need to be decorated, and cleaned a bit better, the bed was extremely hard (the same mattress you get in any homestay, but usually paying half the price!) Some written information about what Xavier can arrange would be nice, some decent towels, some tables and chairs outside, a cosier dining room... it could be really lovely with just a few tweaks. Food was very nice, but last day's breakfast was a let down, as we were served porridge, which we didn't want, instead of lovely Indian breakfast!
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Exceptional”
EXCELLENT HOMESTAY AND COOKING BREAKFAST AND DINER EXCELLENTS : coconuts directly from tree, bananes and pineapples kindly and nice hotes which I would recommanded
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beautiful ,quiet place. wonderfully renovated heritage home. great food ,great view. ”
Great place to spend a few extra days and walk around the canals and rice fields. Host and family very helpful in organising any thing you need.
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