It was almost a decade back that Kerala pioneered the idea of ‘homestay’ in India. Such a fascinating idea has become so popularized that even today, the subcontinent is flourishing with moderately priced and best hospitable homestays offered by some wonderful families along the length and the breadth of the nation.
Just the way India offers unity in diversities, similarly the country offers a wide array of variety in homestays ranging from urban apartments to warm plantation accommodations. Some of the best homestays in the Indian subcontinent are being mentioned below.
Sunnymead Bed and Breakfast, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh Rate: 6,000 rupees per night for a double and 4,500 rupees per night for a single. The Homestead, Corbett, Uttarakhand Special Features: Grounds, swimming pool, and spa pavilion with Turkish steam bath and gymnasium. Rate: 6,000-8,000 rupees per night, for a double including breakfast. The Bangala, Chettinad, Tamil Nadu Special Features: The homestay offers seven course meals, cooking demonstrations, kitchen tours, and special packages for the exploration of local cuisine. The owner and host, Meenakshi Meyappan, is passionate about preserving Chettinad culture and has even co-authored a book on authentic Chettinad recipes. Rate: Double rooms cost 7,000 rupees per night. Meals are extra. Kannur Beach House, Kerala Special Features: Rooms with balconies and sea views by a private stretch of beach. Rate: 3,400 rupees per night for a double, including breakfast and dinner. Shahpura Bagh, Rajasthan Special Features: Royal facilities, secluded infinity pool with two pavilions featuring huge daybeds. Rate: From 13,000 rupees per night for a double suite, one excursion, sundowner, and breakfast. Olaulim Backyards, Goa Special Features: The areas is covered by natural environtment and away from worldly distractions. Rate: 4,500 rupees per night for a double from October to May, and 4,000 rupees per night from June to September. Breakfast and all in-house activities are included. Vembanad House, Alleppey, Kerala Special Features: The place is located on the banks of Vembanad Lake, and option to go night fishing and catch your own seafood. Rate: 7,000 rupees per night, for a double including breakfast. Chhotaram Prajapat's Homestay, Rajasthan Special Features: The accommodations are built in the way of complete vilaage form. Rate: 2,500 rupees per night, for a double room including breakfast.
Devra, Udaipur, Rajasthan Special Features: The meals prepared with home grown organic food. Visotors can also enjouy vast collection of books on the subject releateed to India. Rates: From 5,500 rupees per night, for a classic double room including breakfast. Fort Rampura, Rampura, Uttar Pradesh Rate: 5,000 rupees per night, for a premium double room including breakfast. Thippanahalli Homestay, Chikamagalur, Karnataka Special Features: You can enjoy wide collection of rare paintings, artifacts, chandeliers, carpets, dolls, and antique furniture that's been collected over five generations. The garden has a huge vintage cactus tree. Rate: 6,200 rupees per night for a double in the mansion. 5,200-6,200 rupees per night for a double in the cottages. Red Hill Nature Resort, Ooty, Tamil Nadu Special Features: The place is famous for a traditional kitchen with wood-fired stove and family recipes handed down from generation to generation (most of which cannot be found anywhere else in India). The homestay also has farm animals and a garden that grows organic seasonable vegetables. Rate: Expect to pay 7,000 rupees per night for a double, including all meals. Hidden Forest Retreat, Gangtok, Sikkim Special Features: The place is decorated by stone paved pathways that lead through dense forest and the orchid nursery. Food is organic and served fresh from the hosts' garden. visitors can enjoy local delicacies are prepared according to guest preferences. In the evenings, locally brewed chaang (alcohol made from millet) is offered on the terrace. Rate: Expect to pay 2,500 rupees per night upwards for a double.