Phillipkutty's Farm
Backwater island
Family homestay
Couples,
Families
A family-run farm on its own little island in the Kerala backwaters, where the welcome is warm, and the pace is gloriously slow.
The Mathew family have run Phillipkutty’s Farm in Vechoor for generations. It’s a 45-acre working farm, thick with nutmeg, mango and coconut trees, near Kumarakom in Kerala’s Kottayam district.
Come for the stylish cottages and home-cooked food, and stay for the feeling of being a guest in someone’s home.
The backwaters are right on the doorstep, so it’s easy to glide off on a cruise in a traditional vallam (a wooden canoe). The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is close by, and nearby Kottayam is known for its charming old churches. If you’re here in the monsoon season, you might catch one of Kerala’s famous snake boat races.
On the farm itself, you can join a cooking class with the family, hop on a bike to explore the surrounding villages or unroll a mat for some yoga. There’s also an Ayurvedic centre just across the water for a restorative treatment.
There’s no pool, and the only alcohol served is beer, but that’s a small price to pay. All in all, this is a peaceful, characterful escape from the crowds and a genuine home away from home.
The Rooms
There are six guest cottages, each with an open-plan feel, plenty of natural light and lovely antique furnishings.
They’re spacious and full of character, with all the modern comforts you’d expect, including air-conditioning.
Every cottage has its own porch sit-out looking over the backwaters, the perfect spot for your morning chai.
What You’ll Find:
Why You'll Love It:
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Phillipkutty’s Farm on the map
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