Gramam Homestay

Rooms

We definitely recommend the Backwater Cottage. Tucked among palms by the water's edge a stone's throw from the main house, it's a delightfully restored farm bungalow once used by the family for processing coconuts and coir making. The large, open-plan interior has twin beds (with 2 extra beds available on request), a desk, a sitting area and a kitchenette with a fridge.

The semi-outdoor bathroom has a shower with solar water heater and there's a wraparound veranda and a swing seat for shady lazing. All in all, it's wonderfully spacious, clean and quiet – and also suitable for the less mobile, having no steps at the entrance.

The Garden Room sits at one end of the main house. You get a mosquito-netted twin room, your own veranda, and air-conditioning to keep you cool throughout the night. There are old wooden shutters, patterned wall hangings and quirky old furniture (luggage racks made of bamboo, old mango pots converted to bed lamps and wooden stags' heads on the wall). The bathrooms are small but spotless, with walk-in showers.

Features include:

• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Fan
• WiFi

Eating

Home cooking rarely comes as delicious and authentic as this. Meals are taken in the dining room; the family dine separately. Breakfast (included) is traditional Keralan, but if you'd prefer eggs, toast and cereal, just ask in advance.

Most guests like to do day trips, therefore taking other meals elsewhere, however snacks and dinner are available with advance warning. Expect such delicacies as seafood curry and rice, prawn stir fry, fish moley and vellayappam (pancakes), and Kerala chicken curry with chapathi or biriyanis. Jos also has good recommendations for restaurants in Cochin if you plan to go sightseeing or spend the evening watching Kathakali dances.

If you fancy learning to cook some Keralan dishes, you can join Lyma in the kitchen and learn some top tips, or a more formal cooking programme can be arranged. Fort Cochin has plenty of choice for dining out, and there's one restaurant within walking distance.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Communal dining
• Dinner by arrangement
• Lunch by arrangement
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Before you arrive, let Jos know what you're interested in doing and he can prepare a tailormade itinerary for you that could include staying at other homestays in the region if required. He will find a safe and reliable driver - most likely with a classic Ambassador car - who won't steer you towards his cousin's shop and who will be a mine of information
  
• Jos also hosts several tours of his own, which let you experience local life and which come highly praised
  
• Take an early morning trip to a prawn farm then join a local family for breakfast, or visit a spice plantation and see how rubber, vanilla, pepper and cardamon are grown
  
• Try a sunset cruise on the backwaters and fish with the locals en route, or stay overnight in a houseboat
  
• Take a tour of the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
  
• Go on a day visit to a non-touristy beach suitable for swimming, or there's a children's swimming pool within walking distance.
  
• Take a rickshaw into historic Fort Cochin, with its antique shops and spice market. You can watch a Kathakali dancing display and check out the picturesque fishing boats and Chinese nets
  
• There are numerous temples to explore nearby, as well as a 350-year-old Nalukettu house in an ancient architectural style with a snake god in its kavu (sacred grove)
  
• Meander through the nearby gardens (coconuts, areca nuts, mango, medicinal plants, pepper and pineapples are all grown near Gramam)
  
• Ask Jos to organise Ayurvedic treatments or a yoga class, or hone your culinary skills during Lyma's Keralan cooking lessons

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Ayurvedic treatments
• Birdwatching
• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Historical sites
• Shopping / markets
• Traditional cultures
• Yoga

Kids

Familes with children of all ages are welcome and Jos will happily tailor activities to their needs. Western options are available for breakfast on request.

Best for:

Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Backwater Cottage can accommodate 2 extra beds and has a kitchenette. The Garden Room connects to another room with a single bed to sleep 3.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Gramam Homestay is located on North Kumbalangi island, 10km south of Fort Cochin and 45km (an hour's drive) from the nearest international airport.

By Air
Cochin (Kochi) International (45km away) is the closest airport, but Kerala's other international airport, Trivandrum (200km away) is served by more airlines so is the more likely access point. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
Jos can pick you up from Cochin - see Rates. Taxis are also available.

By Train
If you're in India already, you can catch a train to Ernakulam (24km away) or Fort Cochin from most destinations. From there it's easy to catch a taxi to Grammam, or you can arrange a transfer with Jos.

Getting Around
Jos can arrange day trips, excursions and cars with drivers. You can also catch rickshaws around the local area.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Kerala and getting around