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Heritage Homestays in India

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Heritage Homestays in India
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Experience Travel Group

Heritage Homestays differ from ‘Heritage Haveli's & Hotels’ in that homestays are run primarily as homes and are always owner-occupied and run along informal and family lines.  Heritage Homestays are pretty unique to India, though could perhaps be best likened to a family run bed & breakfast in the UK and are generally houses owned by older members of the former landed gentry, who supplement their income by taking in paying guests.

They are generally lovely spacious houses or converted Havelis (traditional mansions) and often elegantly furnished in a traditional style. The service is always warm and friendly, though often the staff will have very limited English and will rely on the family to translate and it is often quirky and idiosyncratic.

Meals will often be had with the family, with conversation in English, which can be an enjoyable and enriching experience for some. To stay in a heritage homestay is a treat for most people, and we feel that they have a unique charm and romantic atmosphere which makes them well worth considering, at least for part of your holiday. 


Heritage Homestays in India

Ayisha Manzil

Ayisha Manzil, Thalassery

An authentic and remote homestay with nostalgic touches, passionate hosts and loads of charm in beautiful Thalassery.

Banyan Tree Farm

Banyan Tree Farm, Sethumadai

A welcome chance to stay in rural Tamil Nadu on a working farm in clean and comfortable rooms with friendly hosts.

Bari Kothi

Bari Kothi, Murshidabad

Unique and comfortable riverside heritage property.

Biksthang Heritage Farmhouse

Biksthang Heritage Farmhouse, Sikkim

A traditional ancestral home renovated into a rural farm stay with incredible mountain views, local service and experiences.

Bundi Vilas

Bundi Vilas, Bundi

This haveli (mansion) was originally built into the ramparts of the Bundi Garh Palace and you can only enter by foot from the heart of the walled city.

Castle Bera

Castle Bera, Jawai

The private residence of Thakur Baljeet Singh, Castle Bera is former hunting lodge presiding over the small village of Bera with great access to the Jawai region and its population of wild leopards.

Dera Mandawa

Dera Mandawa, Jaipur

This tranquil and spacious family-run boutique homestay might be in the centre of Jaipur, but it feels like a sanctuary.

Devra

Devra, Udaipur

Devra is an unforgettable homestay on the outskirts of Udaipur. Expect great home-cooked food, comfortable suites, and a warm reception.

Dev Shree

Dev Shree, Deogarh

Dev Shree is a shiny new haveli-style hotel in Deogarh with eight beautiful rooms, home-cooked meals, and a friendly family in residence.

Gitanjali Homestay

Gitanjali Homestay, Mysore

A tranquil and authentic family-run homestay providing comfortable, spacious accommodation.

Kandath Tharavad

Kandath Tharavad, Palakkad

In rural Palakkad, Kandath Tharavad offers an original mud house homestay and to experience village life.

Kesar Bagh

Kesar Bagh, Jojowar

A high quality, heritage homestay run by the noble Jojawar family on the site of an old hunting lodge.

Phillipkutty's Farm

Phillipkutty's Farm, Kumarakom

A remote homestay experience, Phillpkutty’s Farm is a tropical oasis near Lake Vemnabad.

Ranjit Svaasa

Ranjit Svaasa , Amritsar

Ranjit Svaasa is a fascinating haveli in central Amritsar with excellent service and royal treatment.

Serenity

Serenity, Kanam

Simple and tranquil, Serenity is an intimate experience in a private villa on a rubber plantation in Kanam.

Sunnymead Estate

Sunnymead Estate, Shimla

A quaint, eco-friendly heritage cottage that feels like home in the hills of Shimla.

The Bangala

The Bangala, Chettinad

Enjoy traditional Chettinad hospitality in this charming & comfy hotel-cum-homestay with old-world charm and fascinating family history.

The Garden Bungalow

The Garden Bungalow, Santiniketan

Sensitively restored heritage property in a 3-acre exotic garden.

Vivenda Dos Palhacos

Vivenda Dos Palhacos, Goa

A small restored Portuguese heritage property tucked away in a village near Goa’s quiet beaches.

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  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Malaysia
      • Borneo
      • Indochina
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • Holidays in India
    • By Area
      • Rajasthan & the Golden Triangle
      • Southern India Holidays
      • North & Central India
      • Himalaya's & the East
    • By Theme
      • Classic Holidays
      • Ultimate Holidays
      • Wildlife Holidays
      • Off The Beaten Track
      • Insight Holidays
      • Holidays with Beach
      • Family Holidays in India
  • Guide to India
    • Why choose India
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Free Country Guide Download
  • Country Info
    • Travelling Around India - FAQs
    • Accommodation
    • India's Beaches & Islands
    • Tigers & Wildlife In India
    • Family Holidays in India
  • Regions of India
    • Golden Triangle
      • Delhi
      • Agra
      • Jaipur
      • Ranthambore National Park
    • Rajasthan
      • Jaisalmer
      • Jodhpur
      • Udaipur
      • Rural Rajasthan
    • Golden Temple & Shimla
      • Amritsar
      • Shimla
    • Uttarakhand
      • Rishikesh, Rajaji & Haridwar
      • Corbett National Park
    • Kolkata, Sikkim & North East
      • Kolkata
      • Darjeeling
      • Gangtok
      • Kalimpong
      • Pelling
      • Off-The-Beaten-Track Sikkim
      • Sundarbans National Park
    • Goa
      • Goa Beaches
      • Inland Goa
    • Kerala & The South
      • Cochin
      • The Backwaters
      • Beaches of Kerala
      • Plantations
      • Wildlife & Birding
      • Thalassery
    • Varanasi, Lucknow & Madhya Pradesh
      • Varanasi
      • Lucknow
      • Orchha
      • Maheshwar
      • Bhopal
      • Gwalior
      • Khajuraho
      • Panna National Park
      • Bandhavgarh National Park
      • Tadoba National Park
      • Satpura National Park
      • Pench National Park
      • Kanha National Park
    • Mumbai
    • Andaman Islands
    • Karnataka
      • Bangalore
      • Coorg
      • Nagarhole National Park
      • Mysore
      • Bandipur National Park
      • Hampi
    • Hyderabad
    • Tamil Nadu
      • Chennai
      • Mahabalipuram
      • Pondicherry
      • The Hill Regions
      • The Plains
      • Madurai
  • About us
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    • Inspire me
    • Which type of holiday is right for me?
    • Country guide downloads
    • Month by month weather guide
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  • Sustainability
    • Making Travel Count
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
  • ETG Revitalise
    • View the collection
    • Pick your theme
      • Active and Restorative
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      • Curious Journeys
      • Remote and Switched off
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