I have always loved planning for impending travel, that for me, is perhaps the most exciting part of the journey and over the last few years the planning & research has led me to some of the breathtakingly beautiful stays in India.
I have never been a fan of hotels courtesy closed rooms and the essential banality all the hotels offer. Homestays on the other hand offer local’s perspective and invaluable tips that no tour operator can provide. In my case , I have had the experience of enjoying some delicious authentic home cooked food provided by the hosts and access to enlightening and sometimes wildly interesting stories of people and their places.
Getting a homestay is not hard but searching for a one of a kind experiential homestay is definitely a tough job and here I am sharing some of the best homestays where I have stayed over last few years in India.
Camp Footprint , Munnar
Munnar offers plenty of tea plantation homestays , boutique resorts , treehouses and camping options as trekking is one of the most popular activity in the town. While searching for a unique stay for new year , I stumbled upon Camp Footprint which falls in a unique category – “Glamping”. Situated high on the slopes of Meesapulimalai, Camp Footprint is in a remote location far away from maddening crowd with no access to network – a detox in true sense! But as good things don’t come easy , access to the camp is through a 40 min walk through the tea gardens and reserve forest which might not be everyone's cup of tea. But of you are game for some adventure then I cannot recommend this place enough.
They offer luxurious teepee style huts accommodation through which you can see the sunrise like no other. The food is locally grown and prepared at the campsite by the ever so helpful staff.
School Thota Homestay, Coorg
School Thota is a vintage plantation homestay steeped in rich history. The bungalow is situated in a massive coffee plantation built in 1878 and is the perfect place to rejuvenate. This place was thrown open to general public by the mother-son duo – Mrs. K. Saraswathi Aiyappa & Mr. K.A. Kushalppa in 2014. They are the most gracious hosts and will keep you entertained with many anecdotes and history of School Thota, Kodagu culture and civilization et al. There are a total of 4 bedrooms and every room of the bungalow is cozy and oozes warmth. They exude an old colonial charm with its fireplaces, wooden flooring and antique furniture.
You can book online through their website here.
Raven's Nest
A three bedroom bungalow located in a midst of a tea garden in Kotagiri town , an hour drive away from bustling Ooty town. The bungalow is very well kept with spacious bedrooms overlooking the valley and their extensive lawns. If you are an early riser, you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise right from the comforts of your room. The homestay also has a well-stocked library for all the bibliophiles out there. Enjoy the beautiful vistas while sipping fresh tea and home made cakes sitting under one of the pergolas with chirpy bird sounds in the background for company!
You can book online through their website here.
The Forest Edge, Tirthan
Located in Tirthan valley, Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh Forest Edge is a boutique homestay comprising of five aesthetically done earthy rooms, a common dining area and a very cozy library. The rooms are all theme based like the one I stayed in was based on Harry Potter much to my utter delight! The dining area is open from all sides and provides beautiful views of the valley and soft gurgling sounds of the Tirthan river flowing just across the road. One of the major highlight of this place is the delicacies served by the chef -both local and continental. We ended up having all our meals at the homestay as we didn’t want to miss out on anything the chef prepared.
You can contact them here .
Sanjiv's Aira Holme Retreat, Shimla
Located in Chhota Shimla , far enough from the reveling crowds at Mall Road, this colonial cottage is a perfect hideout if you seek to spend some time in peace and tranquility. They have two bedrooms on offer with beautiful views of the valley and tall deodar trees surrounding the cottage. The cottage has a living room , open sit out areas and my personal favorite area – the attic. We didn’t have the chance to meet the owners but the staff is very helpful and will take care of all your needs.
You can book through the link here:
Rosie’s Retreat , Udaipur
This colorful and cozy homestay is located lakeside in the heart of the city at a walkable distance from the Gangaur ghat in Udaipur. The homestay (as the name suggests) is run by Rosie, an English lady whose ancestors happens to be Lord Cornwallis , former Governor General of India .
Rosie’s retreat has two floors – a room on ground floor and a small apartment with a kitchenette on first floor and a private terrace overlooking Lake Pichola on second floor. The homestay is embellished with antiques , vintage artifacts , paintings and books giving it a very rustic & homely vibe.
You can book the place through Airbnb here.
Do share some of your favorite homestay experiences in the comments :)