Thoms Beach Homestay

The owner made our stay at Thoms Beach Homestay feel personal and comfortable. He was genuinely welcoming and helpful, offering local knowledge, advice on getting around, and suggestions for places to see that helped us plan our time. We had a delightful visit and I'd gladly recommend this homestay to anyone going to Alleppey.

The bed bugs made this a horrible stay. We couldn't sleep, and when I told Thomas, he said he'd use pesticide after checkout. The room was small and dusty, with a rough bedsheet. When we asked for a replacement, the new one had a blood stain. The blankets were poor quality, the bathroom drained slowly, there was no wardrobe, and the table was rusty. A homestay may not be a star hotel, but clean bedding and a good night's sleep are basic. We've stayed in luxury and budget rooms and never experienced anything like this. Thomas Homestay failed to provide a homely feel, and it was the worst homestay ever. The name 'Bamboo House' and the pictures are misleading, since it's just bamboo wallpaper. The owner, Thomas, speaks nicely but scams people. He pushed a Shikara ride, booked it without our consent and refused to cancel. He said two hours was the minimum, though locals told us one hour is fine. Don't fall for it. The only good thing is that Alleppey beach is walkable. You could stay elsewhere and take an auto to the beach for ₹50-60. Trust the negative comments, they're true. When criticized, the owner said, 'I feel something's wrong with you'. I have no personal grudge, Thomas, just stating facts. Improve the place if you can. The infestation ruined our stay and money. Avoid this homestay.

The listing on MakeMyTrip didn't reflect what we found, and the property's condition was far below an acceptable standard. The room was much smaller than the website images suggested. There was no power backup, so we were left in complete darkness for nearly two hours. When we contacted the owner, he casually said power cuts are rare. The wardrobe was locked and seemed to be for display only, so we had to leave our clothes and luggage on the floor. Lighting was very dim, making it hard to read or even move around comfortably. The shared kitchen, used by three rooms, was filthy and unhygienic, completely unfit to use. The owner also pressured my family and me to book local boat rides through his own agency, apparently to earn commission. It was unprofessional and made us uncomfortable. It's extremely disappointing that MakeMyTrip allows misleading, substandard properties on its platform. Fake images and false information cheat travelers who rely on it for quality and authenticity.

The convenient location and pleasant atmosphere made for a good stay. The dormitory rooms were clean, comfortable and well maintained, and the staff were friendly and helpful.