Mahindra Homestays » Homestay

Monsoon Magic! 50% off Indian homestays

Mahindra Homestays — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:39:30 +0000

The monsoon season has arrived in India and with that in mind we’re offering a monsoon magic discount on Mahindra Homestays bookings.

This huge discount applies to bookings between 1st July and 15th October, you’ll get a massive 50% off the usual price! This offer applies to the majority of our homestay properties.

It’s the perfect excuse for a bargain break to experience the diversity of India. While you can expect some rain the monsoon doesn’t mean it will be raining all day and there are plenty of activities you can enjoy even while it is wet. You will find nature at it’s best with waterfalls and lakes at their most spectacular.

Just go over to our main site, choose a homestay that’s taking part in the offer, pick your preferred travel dates and see the discount price appear. Click and reserve your accommodation.

We also have three special India tours that are on special offer as part of the monsoon magic promotion:

Explore beautiful southern India with our South India Tour: The Kerala Spice Trail.

Enjoy the mesmerizing beaches of Goa with our Goa Holiday Tour: Go Goa!

Visit Delhi, Agra and Corbett and experience some of India’s most beautiful highlights with our Indian Sojourn: A North Indian Tour.

There has never been a better time to book a homestay experience.
So book now – this is a limited time offer and conditions apply.

“Most Memorable Experience” Says Guest – We’re Proud Of Homestay Reviews

luke — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:47:15 +0000

Celebrate the good!

A useful feature of Mahindra Homestays’ website that you may not be aware of is our homestay reviews area.

We feel it’s important to be transparent and honest about our guests’ experiences with us. So after every booking has completed and our guests have returned home, we invite them to comment on their homestay findings.

This feedback appears, as its written, on the website alongside details of each homestay.

Sometimes guests have so much to say they run out of space!

Here’s one homestay review from a traveller called Katherine who got back to us after her trip to Jaipur.

It gives us great pleasure to know that we’re leaving a lasting, positive impression with guests:

Our stay at Cosy Home is one of the most memorable experiences we have had. We received a lovely welcome from our host who made us feel immediately at home and who, for the length of our stay, was unfailingly helpful in assisting us with arrangements for our excursions.

The accommodation was perfect: clean, comfortable and all with en-suite bathrooms and the gardens were a peaceful delight day and night. The food provided was fresh, local and tasty and, all in all, we felt completely looked after by our host, his family and staff.

We would thoroughly recommend Cosy Home to anyone visiting Jaipur and seeking an alternative to an impersonal hotel.

Booking our stay through Mahindra was an entirely smooth and trouble-free experience; our representative offered help and advice and was most friendly and knowledgeable which, having never been to India before, was invaluable.

We would thoroughly recommend Mahindra Homestays to those travelling to India and seeking a refreshing alternative to an impersonal hotel.

Thank you Katherine!

Take a look for yourself at our guests’ homestay reviews. Browse any area and pick the homestay that interests you.

Accommodation Review: Homestay Guest Reveals Trip Pleasure

luke — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:34:49 +0000

A walk in the woods near Eden Garden homestay

We love it when a homestay guest sends us feedback. Which is why, after every booking is over and our guests are back at home, we ask for an honest appraisal of their stay and experiences.

Their comments then feature on our main site, so you can see what kind of accommodation review each homestay gets.

Sometimes guests go further.

We were delighted to receive this from Mr A M Sundar of Bangalore:

“Hi, just wanted to give feedback on our recent stay at Eden Garden – Coonoor. We had a three night stay there. A great place for any family who wish to have a real holiday and not just want to tick a list of places to see.”

Eden Garden is a spacious, well designed cottage surrounded by a verandah, so guests can enjoy the outdoors even if it rains! A deep green lawn surrounds the property and leads to a collection of tea plants. The house is only four years old and is constructed factoring in the ‘vastu’ style of architecture, with its entrance greeting the rising sun.

Mr Sundar sent us some lovely photos from his holiday there and shared a short travelogue:

“Our initial plan was to have a camp at Coonoor and then drive down to Ooty and other places of interest everyday.

“But the amazing location of Eden Garden, the interesting places within trekking distance from our house and the great food served by the hosts ensured that we never had to take out our car till the day of departure.

“Our day started everyday with a breathtaking sunrise, followed by a short trek to locate the home returning bisons – we managed to locate a group of nine of them.

“A trip to the nearby dam is a must and try locating the giant Malabar squirrels. We did a two hour trek to a nearby Toda settlements located deep in the forests- the hosts Jose & family volunteering to be our guides. Luckily it was a festive day and we were treated to some rituals by the tribals. The girls got their hair plaited Toda style and also managed to buy some exclusive shawls.

“The three families staying as guests managed to bond well and the nights were spend by playing board games or chatting by the fire place. “

The Rayalla Dam near Eden

Sunrise at Eden

Have you stayed in a Mahindra Homestay and are you willing to share your holiday experiences? Write an accommodation review and travelogue and we’d love to feature it here. Please include some photos if you can. Get in touch via the comments below.

If Mr Sundar’s recommendation has inspired you, take a closer look at Eden Garden and our other Coonoor homestays. If you’re interested in hearing more from our guests, download the latest podcast and hear how a UK visitor got on when she and her husband enjoyed Rajasthan homestays.

Food Of Kerala: India Cuisine Series

luke — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:52:13 +0000

Eat off the banana leaf

The food of Kerala is yet another attraction to this wonderful part of India.

In God’s Own Country the simple way of life, undisturbed by the passage of time, is still a reality – and that extends to the food of Kerala which is prepared in homes according to traditional family recipes, often handed down from generation to generation.

People still grow their own vegetables, catch their own fish, prepare coconut oil from dried coconut, and grind masala from sun-dried spices.

Stay in a Kerala homestay and you’ll, quite literally, get a flavour.

You’ll be able to experience night fishing and can even receive Kerala cookery lessons from your host.

Different tastes and specialties

Homestay food of Kerala

The cuisine of Kerala is distinctive and delicious. Tamarind heightens its pungency, while coconut adds richness and absorbs some of the spice.

Each region of Kerala has its own specialty. Along the backwaters of the Alleppey region, it’s karimeen, a type of fish which is fried lightly. The whole region is renowned for its fresh seafood, caught daily in time-honoured style by fishermen with nets in rickety narrow wooden canoes, called vallams.

Night fishing – catch your dinner

Night fishing in Kerala

Choose an Alleppey homestay and you’ll get the opportunity to join the fishermen in their forays for seafood, and later take part in the cooking process and learn how it’s done. If you love Indian food, it’s an authentic experience that you and your taste buds will relish.

Night fishing brings the chance to catch lobster, prawns and green clams. From the banks of Vembanad Lake, fishermen can be seen gliding by in their boats, ghost-like in the moonlight. The eager chattering of crickets, the warm glow of the men’s kerosene lamps, and the gentle swish of the boat’s oars set the scene for adventure.

Setting off fishing in Kerala

Fishing nets, Kerala

Out on the lake, the peacefulness is pervading. The fishermen’s muscles ripple as bait and nets are cast into the lake. If you’re patient, and willing to stay out late into the night, you just might be successful in catching an elusive lobster. It could take until after midnight though. Green clams are a much more prevalent bounty. Fishermen pass by with canoes piled full with small shells.

The climax of night fishing is seeing what’s inside the net when it’s hauled in. However, even if it’s empty, an evening spent out on the lake is memorable enough. Such absolute stillness and serenity are hard to come by. When shared with a loved one, it’s even more special. You’ll find yourself forgetting that a chaotic, hectic world full of people exists.

Learn to cook the food of Kerala

Table of food, Kerala style

A cooking class the day after your night fishing experience will round off an enjoyable culinary exploration.

Half an hour is all it takes to whip up one vegetarian and one non-vegetarian dish, guided by your friendly host. Fresh curry leaves, chillies, spices, chopped onion and coconut oil will create a tantalising aroma. Fish curry is a popular choice to learn how to prepare. Many people also enjoy cooking green clams around a fire, under palm trees by the lake.

Sitting down to dine on these delicacies, complemented with wide variety of other homemade Kerala dishes that your host will tell you all about, is a delight.

Why not get a taste? Take a look at our Kerala Homestays and make your booking easily, online or by telephone.

Kaloor Homestay: Beautiful Kochi Place To Stay

luke — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:27:43 +0000

Kaloor homestay

Kaloor in downtown Kochi, Kerala, is the location of one of the latest additions to the Mahindra Homestays accommodation network.

Two-bedroomed Thomas Inn is a great base for those that want to discover the city formerly known as Cochin, while it is also perfectly positioned for access to places like Munnar, Thekaddy, Alleppy and Kovalam.

Hosts Mrs and Mrs Thomas are warm and welcoming. Mr Thomas is an educationist working in local business schools. Mrs Thomas is a well-known social worker in the Kaloor area. She is also a wonderful chef and will show guests how to create traditional Syrian Christian dishes

So what’s the house like? It’s handsome property with a well kept garden that includes a mango tree. Guests have the first floor to themselves, with their own entrance. A balcony forms the ideal spot for relaxing with a book and surveying the surroundings.

This Kaloor accommodation offers the prospect of boat rides close by, as well as Ayurvedic massage, fishing and yoga – to name just a few.

Read more about Thomas Inn and, if you like what you see, make your reservation online now while we have availability at this new homestay.

Front page image: Wikimedia Commons

Announcing Our New Winter Discount

luke — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:05:02 +0000

Today we announce our new special offer for the winter season.

When you book three nights or more with us, you’ll get an attractive 25% discount from the price.

Book two nights and we’ll give you 15% off.

This offer applies to a wide selection of our comfortable and friendly India homestays.

We’ll be running this significant price reduction from 1 October 2009 until 31 March 2010. This offer will not be valid for stays between the 20th December 2009 and the 1st of January 2010.

Take a look at all our homestays across India and choose your favourite.

Monsoon Madness! 50% Off Bookings For Limited Period

Mahindra Homestays — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:50:59 +0000

The monsoon season has arrived in India.

A good monsoon has a positive effect on the economy, and with that in mind we’re offering a truly spectacular discount on Mahindra Homestays bookings.

Book your stay before 30 September 2009 and you’ll get a massive 50% off the usual price! This offer applies to the majority of our homestay properties.

Just go over to our main site, choose a homestay that’s taking part in the offer, pick your preferred travel dates and see the discount price appear. Click and reserve your accommodation.

There has never been a better time to book a homestay experience.

So book now – this is a limited time offer and conditions apply.

Front page image credit: Creative Commons

Udaipur Voted World’s Best City 2009

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:57:19 +0000

Congratulations Udaipur, voted by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine as the world’s best city for travellers.

We love the Rajasthan jewel too, and recently we published our 9 Things To Do And See In Historical Udaipur picking out the very best of the ‘City of Lakes’ for visitors to enjoy.

Currently we have three unique homestays in Udaipur, all with knowledgeable and friendly hosts ready to welcome you to the city and ensure you get the most out of it.

This video of a homestay in Udaipur will give you an idea of what awaits you.

The news that travellers like Udaipur best has caused a lot of coverage online, such as this feature in the well-regarded Huffington Post.

So, are you tempted to see what all the fuss is about for yourself? Go to our main site and find out more about Mahindra Homestays and book your Udaipur homestay in minutes.

“Warm, Friendly And Genuine” – Eastern Daily Press on Mahindra Homestays

Mahindra Homestays — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:22:06 +0000

One of the UK’s top regional newspapers, the Eastern Daily Press, has written about Mahindra Homestays in their Saturday magazine.

The three page article by Mark Nicholls, who visited Kerala recently, takes a look at several of our Homestays and shares the unique and rewarding experience that guests typically enjoy.

Mark explains the concept of Homestays for the benefit of UK readers that might not be aware:

Hill View is one of thousands of homestays across India where the idea is simple…you stay in the home of an Indian family.

While the concept is widely known in India, it is less so in Europe, but growing in popularity with more independent travellers seeking to get closer to the real India by staying with a local family.

Accommodation can vary from quite basic but authentic and ethnic to the stylish and comfortable. The key is, you choose the homestay that meets your needs before you set off.

Food is an important part of the homestay experience…the dining experience at Hill View [a Mahindra Homestay] does not disappoint. Dinner is, in fact, an education.

Mr Chandran [Homestay owner] explains that most guests stay for three days and two nights as part of a wider tour of India. Many guests come from France and Switzerland with the best time to visit between September and March outside the monsoon season.

There are also more and more guests arriving from the UK, as I realised when I took a peak at the visitor’s books. I noticed that immediately before my arrival in mid-March the highly-favourable comments were accompanied by signatures of a couple of satisfied holidaymakers from Norwich.

Up at Pepper County [a Mahindra Homestay], the climate is cool and ambient, the air fresh and the pace of life leisurely. It is typical of Indian homestays which are a fabulous experience, offering an added dimension to a visit to the country. As the concept suggests, you are staying in someone’s home. But more importantly an Indian homestay is comfortable; the welcome is warm, friendly and genuine; the hospitality truly Indian and most of all, you really do feel ‘at home’.

We’ve got dozens of Homestays in Kerala to choose from. Take a look at them all and book your stay online.

“Five Benefits Of Staying At A Homestay In India” – About.com

Mahindra Homestays — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:33:39 +0000

Top India travel writer and blogger Sharell Cook has written an article for New York Times owned About.com. It’s all about the benefits of staying in a Homestay rather than a faceless hotel.

For Sharell there are five things that make Homestays special: characterful, distinct accommodation; personal service; expert local knowledge; delightful home-cooked food; and the unique bespoke activities that can be arranged with Homestay hosts.

We were proud of what Sharell had to say about Mahindra Homestays: “Mahindra, which is well known for its chain of hotels and resorts in India, has embraced the concept of homestays in India in a big way.

“What’s outstanding about Mahindra Homestays is that they’ve personally visited and inspected all the properties that they offer. This means that guests are assured of high standards of comfort, cleanliness, and appeal.”

Read the rest of her piece.

Also take a look at About.com’s review of one of our “unforgettably tranquil homestays” in Wayanad, Kerala. The article creates a wonderfully evocative image of the experience on offer in our coffee plantation properties:

Normally, I don’t like to get up too early in the morning, but the host’s photos of the sunrise convinced me that it was a sight to behold. I left the blinds in my cottage open, and woke up to a sky stained with hues of deep red and orange. This gradually gave way to yellow, as the sun began peaking above the horizon. Soon, the whole valley was illuminated in its warm glow.