About the Homestay
- Welcomes
- Males
- Females
- Couples
- Families
- Students
WELCOME TO OUR HERITAGE HOMESTAY!!!
Our place is approved and licensed as “DIAMOND GRADE” since 2005, by the Tourism department, Government of Kerala.
Our homestay is an 86-year-old well maintained traditional Bungalow located in Cochin at the bank of Vembanad Lake backwaters. This Diamond-graded homestay is built of Plinthite blocks and plastered with lime. Its roofs and floors are covered with old clay tiles & have a wooden ceiling all over. This traditional construction keeps the bungalow cool. The property covers an area of 1.25 acres, full of tall trees including coconut, mango, chikku, guava, jack fruit etc. The back garden faces the backwaters.
The homestay own a Chinese fishing net in its beautiful backwaters. Sitting beside this Chinese fishing net & watching the Sunset is a wonderful experience. The nearby islands in the backwaters have shrimp farms and paddy fields surrounded by evergreen mangroves. The hosts can also arrange kayaking or backwater boating in a Mechanized covered country boat (Semi House Boat) for visiting shrimp farms, paddy fields and bird watching.
The property also has a traditional pond, which is presently used for growing fish. Guests have a chance to feed these fishes when they stay at the Riverside Heritage Homestay.
The bird life here will seize your attention. The cool breeze from the Vembanad Lake backwaters behind the homestay along with the sweet sound of the various species of birds visiting the property will enthrall you. Your stay will be the experience of a lifetime.
Behind the Homestay Bungalow is a later built RIVER FACING COTTAGE. This cottage is also traditional Kerala style with clay tile roofing and flooring. Its huge Balcony, wooden ceilings and modern amenities brings luxury to the cottage. It is like a miniature of the Heritage bungalow. All the bed rooms have modern style en-suit bathroom.
Your hosts are Basil, a retired senior marketing executive of a multi-national company and wife Annie, an expert in Kerala-style cooking. They are very cordial and hospitable.
Basil has a vast knowledge of the area. His personal advice on your local itinerary, local shops or activities or to answer any imaginable question is invaluable.
Homestay Facilities
1. Fish Pond.
2. Television.
3. Sight-Seeing Tips.
4. Car Parking Facility.
5. AC & Non AC Rooms.
6. Free Wi-Fi internet.
7. Lovely garden & Lawn to soothe you.
8. Complimentary Traditional Kerala Breakfast.
9. Hot & Cold water available 24 Hours in all bathrooms.
10. Own Chinese fishing net in the Homestay Backwaters.
11. Watch the Sunset & enjoy the cool breeze, sitting beside the Backwaters.
12. All rooms are Mosquito proof, very spacious with modern amenities and bath attached.
13. Hot Kettle in each room with complimentary tea & Coffee.
Also arrange upon Guests request.
1. 24 Hours Air port, Railway Station Pick-Up & Drop.
2. Taxi or Auto rickshaw for sightseeing.
3. Houseboat tours (Day Cruise as well as Day and Night stay) at Alleppey backwaters.
4. Semi House Boat cruises in the Homestay backwaters for visiting shrimp farms, paddy fields and bird watching.
5. Kayaking in the backwaters behind the homestay.
6. Tickets for Kathakali Play & The Make-up, Martial Arts (Kalaripayat), Indian Classical music & Indian Classical Dances in a famous Kathakali centre in Fort Cochin.
7. Ayurvedic Body Massage, Ayurvedic treatments, Panchakarma, Yoga, Meditation, Counselling Physical Fitness by Qualified Doctors at an Ayurvedic Care Center in Cochin.
8. Swimming pool nearby. (About 1 Kms from homestay)
House Facilities
- Garden
- Parking
- TV
- Internet Access
- Air Conditioning
Bedrooms available for booking
About the Area
The HOMESTAY is an 86-year-old well maintained traditional Bungalow located in Cochin at the bank of Vembanad Lake backwaters. This Gold-graded homestay is built of Plinthite blocks and plastered with lime. Its roofs and floors are covered with old clay tiles & have a wooden ceiling all over. This traditional construction keeps the bungalow cool. The property covers an area of 1.25 acres, full of tall trees including coconut, mango, chikku, guava, jack fruit etc. The back garden faces the backwaters.
ool nearby. (About 1 Kms from homestay)
Local Area Facilities
- Fishing
- Bus Stop
- Hospital
Meals
Hosts can offer a complimentary light breakfast at their discretion. All other meals, including a full breakfast, might incur an additional cost, if offered. Meals and any additional payment should be arranged directly with your host.
Included in the stay
- Complimentary Light Breakfast
- Use of Kitchen
Available on request at an extra cost
- Full Breakfast
House Rules
Please keep our home secure and double-lock the front door when entering and leaving the room.
Keep noise to a minimum after midnight please
Please do not invite strangers into our home; if you would like to invite a friend over just agree it with me in advance
Please enjoy your stay and treat our house as you would your own home!
The room rate includes the following services: regular room cleaning and internet access
Additional available services at an extra charge (payable directly to your host on arrival):
Pick up service: 1,200.00 INR one-way
Lunch: 350.00 INR per person per night (Rice with Fish, Prawns & Vegetables)
Dinner: 350.00 INR per person per night (Rice with Fish, Prawns & Vegetables)
Charge for washing machine usage: 100.00 INR per machine load
Smoking Rules
Your host is a non-smoker.
Smoking is allowed indoors and outdoors.
11 Reviews
December 2019
Basil en Annie hebben ons een heerlijk dagje in Cochin bezorgd. Het begon al met het lekkere Kerala stijl ontbijt (bij de prijs inbegrepen). Basil organiseerde een tuktuk die ons de oude binnenstad rond Ford Cochin liet zien en ons winkeltjes en een lunch restaurant binnen loodste waar we als losse toerist voorbijgelopen waren. Kortom een heerlijk verblijf aan het water in een rustige buurt. Zeker de moeite waard en hij laat je afhalen van het vliegveld!
Host reply
March 2019
we had a good stay in Basil's house. In the morning, Annie prepared us a good traditional breakfast. Basil is busy finding transportation from the airport, finding a guide in Tuktuk and bringing us to our 2nd homestay at MarariBeach. it was very appreciable .
Host reply
January 2019
The best homestay in Kerala.Mr Basil and family treated us like their own.Went the extra step to make our stay wonderful
Host reply
December 2018
Such a lovely little cottage....place, location, cleanliness, food, WiFi, everything great...the best part is Basil and his wife, warm and always very helpful.
Host reply
November 2018
Thanks a lot to Basil & Annie for the wonderful time in Cochin. It was our first trip to India and even our first guesthouse & family and it was just nice ... The house is very typical, the room big & quite and clean and the keralian breakfast in the morning yummi yummi. We loved it so much to stay in your house. Thanks a lot!
Host reply
February 2017
We very much enjoyed our three nights at the Riverside Homestay. Our room was spacious and very comfortable. We were made to feel very welcome and Mr Basil was extremely helpful and a great source of information. His wife Annie cooked us delicious local Kerala breakfasts.
May 2016
Quelques jours chez Basil fort agréables. Il connait tout et tout le monde, ce qui peut rendre service. Cadre magnifique, un vrai plaisir !!
Véronique et RenaudMay 2015
..whilst not in the centre of the old city of Kochi there is easy access by tuk tuk, and it is in the heart of village life , with a lovely tranquil garden running down the the water and Chinese fishing nets.
Basil and Annie were most welcoming and very helpful in sorting out our travel arrangements Very good value!March 2015
Durch Basil und Ehefrau Anne haben wir den grossen Unterschied zwischen Homestay-Aufenthalt und ein "unpersönliches" Hotel erlebt. Alle Merkmale und Leistungen stimmten mit der Beschreibung auf der Webseite absolut überein. Sehr empfehlenswert !
Basil and Anne, warmhearted couple, made all the difference of a homestay, as against an "impersonal" hotel. Features and facilities as described elsewhere on their website, no surprises - no shocks. Value for money, my wife and I would recommend this homestay in Cochin, preferably in the European winter months.February 2015
My experience here as a solo traveller was excellent! Out of all the places I had stayed in India this was my favourite. I felt like part of the family, Basil and his wife help me with planning my day and my onward journey. The food was amazing, it felt so homely & safe. It was a pleasure to stay there. I would recommend this homestay to solo travellers, families and couples looking for a comfortable & authentic experience. It's so much better than a hotel! X x x x
How do I book?
Contact the host to check their availability and ask them any questions you have about staying with them. Once the host confirms they’re available for your dates, you can complete your booking.
When do I pay?
Once a host confirms they're available, you can go ahead and pay the 15% booking fee (maximum of 250 $£€ for longer term bookings) using a choice of payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Laser, JCB & PayPal (not available in certain countries). You then pay your host on arrival or as stated by your host on their profile and agreed by you on booking. Please be cautious if a host requests advance payment if its not included on their profile. Our hosts have been advised that if they wish to request advance payment they must make this explicit in their profile. We do not recommend the use of Money gram or Western Union.
When can I share my contact details?
Host and Guest email address, phone number and home address will be exchanged in a confirmation email sent to both immediately after a booking is completed. It's against our policy for Guests and Hosts to exchange direct contact details via our messaging system.