If you're dreaming of waking up to the sound of birdsong, relishing freshly prepared local cuisine, and truly being a local when you're on holiday in Kerala—then you need a homestay. Kerala homestays give you more than a place to lay your head; they give an experience. With friendly host families, immersion in local culture, and that sense of feeling "at home," these are the top options for travelers looking for a little more experience than sightseeing.
Here's the well-researched Top 10 Best Home Stays in Kerala for a Local Experience from tranquil places secluded in backwaters, plantation, and even in the middle of a village.
- Sukrutham Farmstay – Thrissur
If you’re looking for a Farm house in Thrissur that combines tradition with comfort, Sukrutham Farmstay is a top pick. Located amidst lush greenery and serene landscapes, this homestay is ideal for families, nature lovers, and even remote workers. It offers the feel of a real farm stay with modern comforts like conference-ready spaces and authentic Kerala cuisine straight from the kitchen garden.
Why choose Sukrutham Farmstay:
- Family-style rooms with an infusion of tradition
- Nature walks and interactive sessions on our organic farm
- Situated amidst Thrissur's cultural and spiritual landmarks
- Just what you need if you're seeking the Best Home Stay in Kerala with local flavor
Last month, one of our visitors wrote to us:
"It was like home. The food, the farm, the quiet—all so healing. Sukrutham is not a stay; it's an experience."
- The Mistletoe Homestay – Munnar
You have stunning views of the Western Ghats and home-cooked food at this homestay. The host family is famous for their warmth and hospitality, and even offer baking lessons in the traditional clay oven!
Highlights:
- Mountain-facing private balconies
- Home-cooked Kerala and Continental cuisine
- Cultural interactions with the host family
- Vembanad House – Alleppey
Located in the midst of Vembanad Lake, this homestay benefits from its open views of the lake and peaceful retreat. The visitors can canoe on the lake, visit temples in the vicinity, or just laze around in a hammock.
Highlights:
- Traditional Kerala building style
- Dinner with freshwater fish and tasting of toddy
- Sunset canoeing
- Marari Dreamz – Mararikulam
Run by a nice couple, this homestay is at walking distance from Marari Beach and best suited for beach enthusiasts. Home-like service, clean rooms, and fresh sea food dinner are the main draws.
How it excels:
- At walking distance from beach
- Meals tailored to one's taste and local sea food
- Ayurvedic massages available on request
- Varikatt Heritage – Trivandrum
If you’re looking for colonial-style charm mixed with South Indian hospitality, this place delivers. Located in the heart of Trivandrum, it offers heritage aesthetics and modern facilities.
Best for:
- Heritage architecture lovers
- Exploring Trivandrum city
- Short business trips with a local touch
- Olive Gardens Homestay – Wayanad
Located in hills, this Wayanad homestay is nature's immersion. It is perfect for trekking enthusiasts and adventure lovers who need to pass through tribal villages and waterfalls.
Highlights:
- Tree-house room type
- Bonfire nights accompanied with traditional music
- Food from organic garden
- Thekkady Homestay – Near Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
This stay is suitable for nature enthusiasts. Near the Periyar Tiger Reserve, it allows tourists to balance safari outings with comfortable warmth.
- Walking distance from the reserve
- Tribal dance and cultural shows organized
- Herbal tea tastings and tours of the spice garden
- Sajeev's Plantation Homestay – Idukki
Quaint plantation-themed homestay where visitors can try their hand at pepper plucking or learn to prepare traditional Kerala cuisine.
Why visit:
- Plantation tours organized
- Genuine glimpse of a working farm
- Peaceful refuge from the hordes
- Anand Homestay – Thrissur
But yet another jewel of a Thrissur Homestay, Anand Homestay offers you a personal experience of the day-to-day life of a common Kerala family. They prepare food using self-grown vegetables and fruits, and the guests are treated as family.
Why it's special:
- Homely Kerala food on banana leaves
- Hosts involve you in family customs and celebrations
- Ideal for backpackers who wish to have authentic local experience
- River Whisper Homestay – Kozhikode
Overlooking a peaceful riverside, the homestay boasts exquisite dawn canoe excursions, evening performances, and hospitality par excellence.
Good for:
- Birding and river walks
- Peaceful reflective retreats
- Writers and solo travellers
Why Homestays Matter
Choosing a homestay over a conventional hotel can change the way you celebrate your vacation. Be it enjoying the harvest festival or helping your host prepare appams, it is all about living life, not capturing memories through photographs. A well-planned Homestay in Thrissur or a peaceful Farm house in Thrissur provides an opportunity to live life and people surrounding you in a way no travel manual can guarantee.
Whether you are on family holiday, honeymoon with your loved one, or solo trip, all of the top 10 have something unique to provide. And if you truly want the Best Home Stay in Kerala with a combination of farmstay, comfort, and cultural stay—Sukrutham Farmstay is well worth the journey.
Final Thoughts
Kerala is not just houseboats and backwaters; it's people, customs, and stories. A homestay provides you with a chance to live those stories yourself. Whether from a serene Farm house in Thrissur or a beachside bungalow at Marari, the option is yours—but Kerala hospitality remains the same.
