22 independent reviews for Kerala homestay tour, India
Reviews for Kerala homestay tour, India
Helga Brown review 8 Nov 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The houseboat. Meeting lots of friendly homestay owners and families.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, use of recycled bottles for water. Local guides4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Brilliant.Erika Fayers review 17 Feb 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Wild life, friendly people, beautiful homestays and excellent food.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The tour operator was very good - they gave us helpful tips and and suggested a couple of more remote places like Dewalokam, Munroe Island and Teak House, which were definitely highlights for us and we wouldn’t have found them on our own. We enjoyed a mixture of full board and B & B to sample the local restaurants when we were in towns or larger villages. All in all we would highly recommend the personalised Homestay tour3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - staying at homestays, using local drivers, restaurants and shops. Not sure about environmental impact or conservation4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent vacation - all went very smoothly and thoroughly enjoyed all the different locations. Highly recommend this tour operator's homestay tourDavid Alexander review 1 Jan 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
All of it2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Perfect but too much foodDavid Alexander review 23 Oct 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
All of it.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Perfect but too much food.Steve Blake review 17 Oct 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Meeting the wonderful hosts and hostesses, also the lovely accommodations and varied locations which gave us such an experience of the different parts of Kerala. I must also mention the backwaters houseboat. so peaceful (and pampered!).2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Get recommendations for restaurants etc from hosts or your driver. We found a wonderful hidden gem that we wouldn't have looked twice at recommended by our driver Shibu. It was so good we went back the following night.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We are in no doubt that the vacation benefitted the local communities. We are not sure about reduced environmental impact as a lot of plastic bottles of water were used. We did use chlorine tablets in "local water" when possible.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Wonderful. Despite a couple of long journeys between homestays, it always felt relaxed with stops whenever we asked. We would highly recommend homestays as the standard was generally so high.Mark Handy review 10 Mar 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Really hard to highlight any particular part as we enjoyed every day.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be confident that you would be happy staying at seven different places over 14 days bearing in mind that traveling times on Indian roads can be quite long.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
To a certain extent yes with regards benefiting local people and supporting conservation. Not so sure about reduced environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Great organisation by the operator, wonderful driver and all flights on time. India is such an interesting country but the three things I have mentioned play such a big part in overall enjoyment.Quentin Macfarlane review 26 Feb 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Your choice of hotel/homestay for my stays in Goa and Kerala2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Avoid beaches in south Goa-they're packed and noisy and a bit tacky. I hear north Goa is much better3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not especially4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentWilliam Foster review 31 Jan 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Meeting such lovely host families in the Homestays. The hospitality from others we met just walking around villages. Amazing hospitality. Total relaxation of the the 2 days we were on the houseboat. The beauty of Periyar Wildlife Sanctury2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
I would suggest considering 3 nights at Dawelokam, lots to do there.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes I do. Homestays beat hotels from an environmental point of view4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A great vacation, allowing us to meet local people and learn about the cultureAndy Belfield review 5 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
1) Great accommodation, people and views at the Royal Mist. 2) Seeing the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. 3) The Houseboat in Kerala. 4) Sanil our driver!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Eat as much food as possible. Say yes. Stay 2 nights on the houseboat. Take photos of the tea plantations in the hills.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope so. We stayed in homestays and used local guides.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Perhaps the best vacation ever. Great people, lovely places to stay and visit, really thoughtful travel agents who couldn't do enough to help. Thank you.Lindsey Kraus review 25 Jan 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Our stay at the organic farm, Dewalokum. It is just beautiful. In general the food was a major highlight - it was fantastic everywhere.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Enjoy the peace and calm!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - I hope so.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Many thanks to Gary from the tour operator for planning it to suit us personally and answering each and every question we had.Diane Heron review 10 Dec 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing a tiger! Staying with a lovely Indian family.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Listen to your driver. Ours was great. He had a wealth of knowledge and was very friendly and helpful.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Most of our stays did. Food was usually locally sourced. Staff were from the local areas. Some used solar power. Both homestays used solar power, encouraged saving water and recycling. Some also purified their own water to cut down on plastic.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a brilliant vacation. Different experiences, met interesting people, ate delicious food and experienced new cultures.John Holden review 4 Dec 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Meeting and talking with hosts and their families and staff.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for hosts showing their hospitality by showcasing their cookery skills. Be open to the experience. Speak to people you meet in the lanes and on the streets.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Money was spent locally and in independent shops and cafes. Talking to children who were trying to practice their English (from aged 4 upwards) was a two-way cultural benefit.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
One of the best organised and most relaxing vacation we've had.Richard Greenwood review 19 Feb 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Backwaters cruise and birding at Thattekad.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Allow at least 2 or 3 days to recover from flight. The Teak House 30 mins from airport good for this. Spend at least 2 nights on houseboat.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes up to a point.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Our tour operator was very helpful.Lee Mullins review 27 Jan 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We have many happy memories , the most memorable part was the 2 night stay on the Houseboat and the fantastic scenery/river activity, plus our stay at Dewalokum Retreat, Kodikulam. Their attention to detail and guests was second to none!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Choose Homestays and perhaps take 3 nights instead of 2 at first destination to recover from the journey. Be sure to see the Kathakali Theatre and Martial Arts Display.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Most definitely!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was the most wonderful experience and introduction to Southern India. Every part of the vacation was efficiently organised from the booking with our tour operator to the attention given once in Kerala. The drivers were prompt, polite and informative. All accommodation was clean and comfortable.Bridget Taylor review 10 Dec 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Our stay with the Kumar family in Coonor. All the homestays were excellent but this was outstanding in terms of eengagement with the family and (as vegetrians) food.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be open to trying new things. Don't expect to be able to rely on internet coverage everywhere as it is intermittent. Be prepared to tell your driver if you don't want what he has arranged. When leaving India, don't rely on being able to change your rupees to sterling after you have gone through security - we had a choice of Singapore dollars or Euros!!!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefit to local people was largely limited to the homestay owners and their staff. However Red Earth aim to buy vegetables and employ their staff from the local village - to be encouraged. Solar water heating is almost uinversal (though we had an electric water heater at our homestay on Vipen Island). Several places used solar electticity - but not all All keen to reduce plastic - Red Earth, Vipen Island, Coonor and Mysore homestays all used filtered water and offered this instead of bottled, with no ill effects experienced.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent - highly recommended. The organisation and communication was perfect. Our driver, Sanil, was always abreast of our itinerary, enormously helpful, punctual and friendly. He made an enormous difference to our vacation.Jane Bay review 22 Mar 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We really enjoyed the spice farm tour, snake boat race in backwaters and houseboat. Also had a lovely yoga lesson at Marari beach and particularly enjoyed visiting a village school in backwaters village. So many memorable parts!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Think about what kind of vacation you want. We were happy to spend some days chilling out and didn't want to race from place to place. When we stayed longer in one place we made a point of visiting the local community and asking lots of questions.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think it supported local families in that local people were employed by the homestay days to help with cooking, cleaning gardening etc. We tried to remember this when tipping.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.John Ray review 3 Mar 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The houseboat on the 'backwaters'.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
When in the coastal areas look for homestays with a pool as it is very humid.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely helped the local people.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.Anthony Blin-Stoyle review 15 Feb 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It is hard to pick out one but we loved the tea plantations - the rolling hills, the vast sea of green, the windy roads, the spices nearby and the history of the sector.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Forget about staying in vast, soul-less hotels with international cuisine and immerse yourself in the culture of Kerala - the people, environment, colours, smells and food are all enticing. Walk through the towns and villages, talk to people and eat in local restaurants.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes as the homestays already had that mentality. Many of the places we stayed in operated a communal tipping policy and this meant that the less visible people benefited and these are the who help make the place you stay so wonderful. It was also great to visit animal sanctuaries and arts events which we understand have been revitalised by tourists visiting them.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was fantastic. We had high expectations and it was better. We are spreading the news that this is the way to travel and the place to travel to.David Armes review 3 Feb 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Boating in Back Waters. Staying in suit at Palm Villa. Dewalokam Retreat.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Got to like curry, and expect it at least twice a day.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - I think that our visit did help local people, and we did as little damage to the environment as possible.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I thought it was very well organised and have no complaints about your company at all. I would certainly consider using you again, and recommend you to other people.William Avery review 23 Mar 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The two days in Mumbai at the beginning and the experience of the Indian roads!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Give yourself some time in the itinerary to do nothing which we did at the end with 4 days at a beach homestay and also pack less than you think you need.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes all of the above4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentRoger Humphreys review 17 Mar 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Early morning walk with guide in Periyar Reserve Forest2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
See above.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentSylvia Shilliam review 16 Jan 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Getting off of the beaten track and being introduced to the real India. Stopping in villages and being with the people who lived there. Staying in heritage properties instead of large hotels, some of the properties we stayed in were palaces and forts and until this day they remain within the same family. I spent my 60th birthday in Devi Garh which is a 18th century Palace, I was spoilt rotten (all arranged unbeknown to me), it started with champagne breakfast and ended with a rose petal filled bath and too many twinkling tea lights to count.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Our trip was a tailor made 3 week tour of Rajasthan staying in heritage properties. It is imperative that before traveling you research the area you want to visit along with the properties you are going to stay in. Work closely with the tour company that you are booking through. India is a huge country, we toured Rajasthan for 3 weeks and only covered a small proportion of it. You also need to remember that India is a poor country so do not expect the standards of the UK. We first visited India 15 years ago and it has certainly come on in that time. Providing you do your research you will not be disappointed.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, most definitely.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This certainly would be rated up amongst one of the best vacations we have had. Vacations do not come cheap and providing you have researched in the first place you will not be disappointed. India is certainly a magical place and we will return in a few years to another area and I would certainly contact this tour company for their guidance and expertise.Holiday Reviews
You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
