Bella Boutique Homestay

Mr. Biju made the stay for us. He was around whenever we needed help, from directions and local suggestions to little practical questions, always friendly and never pushy. The homestay is peaceful, with greenery around it, and we slept well. The rooms are simple rather than luxurious, but clean and cared for, and you can tell someone takes pride in the place. A really good choice for us. I'd stay again and recommend it.

We loved spending time on the balcony, listening to and watching the birds, and the beds were extremely comfortable. The place is peaceful, though you'll need a tuk tuk to reach other cafes and restaurants. Breakfast was generous and delicious, especially the good wholemeal bread, and we also had two evening meals. Bijou was such a kind, welcoming host, and Jayashri was understanding and helped us find some money we'd briefly misplaced. They greeted us with a lovely fruit platter, and Bijou even found a bicycle for my husband through a friend and arranged a doctor appointment when we needed one. The one bother was other guests smoking constantly in the downstairs patio and eating area, which wasn't pleasant in a shared space.

Breakfast was a real highlight, with fresh bread, seasonal fruit, and local dishes, all prepared with care and beautifully laid out. Biju and Jayashri made me feel looked after from the start, and the thoughtful, personal hospitality made the stay memorable. My room was spotless and cozy, with decor that gave the place a warm, homey feel. I'd recommend it to anyone after a relaxing, authentic stay.

The food was fabulous. I had a home-cooked Kerala fish curry dinner with rice, sides, salad, chutney, and poppadoms for 980 INR. There was plenty, and it was probably the best meal I've had in India. The leafy, shady property felt cool and green, and the rooms were well furnished and full of art and other features. The hosts and staff were friendly, chatty, relaxed, and helpful with onward travel and ideas for a future trip. Beds and pillows were comfy. The bathroom had hot water, but not through the shower, so you use the usual large and small buckets. That was fine. The location works well if you're taking a houseboat. I'd gladly return if I'm in the area and highly recommend it.