Great offbeat stay near Mumbai

This is a luxury stay with a difference. The hosts focus on giving a local experience in every way, they even arrange local performances on demand. The Bamboo Hut is extremely beautiful and offers a leisurely stay. I also liked the Tree Huts and Log Huts. Majotiy of the Marathi film industry comes here for their vacations so the hosts have maintained the place accordingly. The host has kept no TVs in the rooms specially so that the guests have nothing to do with the outside world and enjoy a complete getaway from city life.

Homestay with a difference

A very different kind of homestay, best place to go if you want nothing to do with city life. Located deep inside a village, vehicles have to be left at a distance and its a 2 min hike to reach the place. The host has a very inspiring story of how he brought greenery back in a barren land. He’s an organic farmer so everything there is organic. His lush green farm is right in front the stay. The view was breathtaking too.

Lovely view

Located right in front of the beach, these are luxurious villas. It’s almost like owing a classy home at a great location far from the city. Villas have working kitchens attached. I really like how the verendahs were so large and gave such a good view of the sea. It’s definitely worth the 6 hour drive from Mumbai on a long weekend.

Great homestay experience in Ganpatipule

From outside one might not realise how good a homestay this is. It’s the cleanest one in Ganpatipule and very affordable as well. Located in the centre of Ganpatipule, nothing is more than a 5 min walk from here, be it the beach, museum or any other touristy location. The Host has worked in MTDC for 29 years, his son helps with stay along with his wife both of whom have a degree in hotel management. Many people from Europe come here repeatedly for their annual visits and it was really nice getting to know the hosts and the other travellers.

Experiencing the vibrant life of Old City of Jodhpur

Staying in this guest house that lay tucked in a bylane of Old City of Jodhpur, was one of my best experiences in Rajasthan. The Haveli I was told was 450 years old, and its rooms were beautifully and traditionally done to match up that fact. During the four days that I spent there, I spent mornings and nights sitting in the roof top restaurant, savouring delicious meals made by the resident cook, and staring at the sight of centuries-old blue houses and the enchanting Mehrangarh Fort towering in front of me.

I was there during Navratri so it was really nice to watch the lanes come alive with celebratory processions and the temples echoing prayers all night long. The locals living around the Haveli were really friendly and I ended up having many interesting conversations with them. It is a great place to soak up the vibrancy and old-world charm of Jodhpur.

 

 

In the midst of nature in Udaipur

I spent four days in the homestay and have no complaints whatsoever. The hosts, Mr. Shurveer and Shweta Bhabhi were extremely warm and caring and ensured that I felt at home. I was in town for work and looked forward to a chat and sharing the delicious home-cooked meal with them after a tiring day.

The best part about staying here is that you are surrounded by nature and the weather is always pleasant. It was surreal to be sitting in the open lawn and watching about ten spotted deer wandering right outside the property, and waking up to the sound of peacocks on other days. The rooms were large, spacious and very luxurious. The next time I am in Udaipur, I will definitely spend a day here again.

Comfortable, homely stay

I started my Rajasthan trip by putting up at Mr. Narendra’s homestay and it really introduced me to the state’s hospitality. The hosts were extremely helpful, kind and chatty. My conversations with them also gave me an insight into the daily life in Jaipur. The food served was simple, hearty and delicious, and they ensured that I was always well fed.

I loved how the house was so beautifully done with antiques and unique pieces of art – each with its own history and story. The rooms were very spacious and comfortable. If you’re looking to spend time with a warm family in Jaipur, this is the place to stay.

 

Great stay with a lovely host

I spent two nights at Ms. Amita’s Bed & Breakfast and it was a great experience. She always went out of her way to make sure my stay was comfortable. She did not just patiently help me with directions and locations around Jaipur and pack a delicious breakfast for my onward journey to Ajmer, but also drove me through the Old City, Amber Fort and Jaigad Fort – constantly sharing her vast local knowledge.

The rooms were very pretty and cosy. The location, too, was very convenient.  I would strongly recommend this B&B.

Spacious, clean rooms in a lovely residential locality

We stayed here this October 2014, family of 4. Our stay was very comfortable, the rooms are large and are equipped with a mini bar (stocked with colddrinks :)) and some cutlery in case you order-in. The location of the homestay is in an upmarket neighbourhood and near Kalidasa road which is where all the popular eateries are located. But its a bit away from the main tourist attractions of Mysore. The host was very kind and attentive and helped us with travel arrangements. Even on the day of our check-out, we left very early in the morning, but the host came to see us off. The locality is very quiet and peaceful, and evening walk in the lane was a pleasure.

Delicious home-cooked food and friendly hosts

We had a great time chatting with our hosts who served us delicious chicken curry and several curries made of local organic vegetables as well as introduced us to the local brew made of rice. It was a cold and rainy day, but we had a very comfortable stay with them. The rooms are basic but provide a gorgeous view of the tea garden. Staying in the homestay is a great way of learning about the working of Makaibari.