Kalarickal Bungalow, Thekkady
The sweet smell of cardamom wafts through the nippy breeze as you enter the pristine white heritage estate off the Thekkady-Munnar highway. Un-weathered by age, the almost century old heritage bungalow greets you cheerfully atop the elevation from the main road. A premier in the region for plantations, Dr. Mathew’s grandfather started the work of […]
Bracknell Estate, Munnar
Away from the lively tourist crowds of Munnar, the rusting bridge over the dam ushers one into a sinuous journey into an ever contrasting topography of sunny tea gardens and shadowy cardamom plantations, till the road gets narrower and the habitation sparse. Almost carefully tucked away from the road, isBracknellForest, a welcoming venture by three […]
La Exotica, Varkala
Amidst the many hotels and guest houses which have mushroomed near the North Cliff of Varkala, La Exotica is the lone home stay started by Mr. Viswanathan and his wife Ragini. An area where many western tourists flock to the serene beaches, La Exotica reliably frees one from the baggage of whetting one’s bargaining skills. […]
Valiyavila Family Estate, Kollam
A drive through maze of curvaceous streets off the main highway leaves you in eager anticipation of the arrival of your destination. If the roads get narrower and the vicinity, greener, you should know that you are heading close. Just before the local boat jetty point on the Ashtamudi Backwater, a narrow path on the […]
Nalukettil, Kollam
As you stumble left of the Alappuzha- Trivandrum highway in the town ofKollam, a network of winding roads takes you to the Kureepuzha area. Even though the proximity to the Ashtamudi backwaters appears to be close, you can be rest assured that one cannot reach this scenic locale without guidance. About 50 meters before the […]
Reds Residency, Fort Kochi
Over an hour’s drive from the airport and thirty minutes from the busting city ofCochin, it is a respite to head towards Mattancherry. A towering gate across the bridge ushers you into the town ofFortKochi, a popular tourist destination famous for its Chinese fishing nets and the only surviving Jew synagogue along with the many […]
Kedaram, Cochin
Sensitively chosen to match his artistic sensibilities, Mr. Biju, along his wife built their house on the edge of the Vembanad Lake four years ago, in the Pallunthury area ofCochin. With wide wooden verandahs, typical of Kerala architecture, the house is well maintained and a treat for those looking for a peaceful holiday. The house […]
Temple View Residency, Alappuzha
Easy to locate on the prominent Court Road of Alappuzha, Temple View Residency is aptly named so, due to theUdipiKrishnaTempleon the opposite side of the road. Though in the middle of the town, the sprawling courtyard transports you away from the busy vendors and traffic outside. The century old house was taken up by Mr. […]
Green Village, Alappuzha
Half submerged boats rust gracefully in the centralcanalofAlappuzhaas you enter the town on the left to head towards the Punnamada Jetty road. The languid feel of the scene is almost symbolic of how your visit to Alappuzha might be. Perfect to replicate the satisfying laziness of boats floating under the shade of trees, is a […]
Dazzle Dew, Alappuzha
As you cruise along the maincanalofAlappuzhatown, the road meanders towards thePunnamada Boat Jetty Road, leaving behind the usual commotion of the town. Another curvaceous swing into about 2 kilometers on the left, and you are greeted with a charming old house on the right. A red berry tree provides an effusive welcome in the winter […]
Arunima Canal View Bungalow, Alappuzha
As you walk into the 75 years old Arunima bungalow near the main Alappuzha canal, you are transcended into an era of flourishing spice business. The ancient home to a merchant reverberates with history on how the main vault was secured at the back of the house, while the owner peeked from a low window […]
Arunima Heritage, Alappuzha
One of the by lanes from the main canal of Alappuzha, winds away from the town clamour and makes a stop at Arunima Heritage, Mr. Sabu Sali and Laila’s 60 years old house. ‘Arunima’, Mr. Sali explains, means the red tinged colour of the sky at dusk and dawn. After having retired as a District […]