We were lucky to stay at Akkara over Christmas - to have our share of the traditional Keralan meals, to meet three generations of the family and to welcome the local kids singing carols and playing Santa on Christmas Eve. We stayed 3 nights, walking to the village, looking at spices in the garden and visiting Kumarakom one early morning.... More

I feel kind of bad writing this review, because the lady who owns this homestay clearly is very hospitable and she means well. Nevertheless, we found the atmosphere at this place oppressive. The furniture and the room we stayed in smelled musty (not sure if the stuff isn't well over 50 years old), and it's the kind of place where... More

When you stay at a homestay, you are choosing to have a cultural and social experience where you let go of some control. For that, I have never encountered a better place than Akkara. My husband and I are independent-minded travelers who prefer to keep to ourselves and rarely let anyone else arrange things for us. But we truly connected... More

Akkara is a wonderful house set in a very quiet area next to and running directly on to the river outside Kottayam. Go there if you want to be in a beautiful setting with fantastic food and a feeling, like me, that your wonderful grandmother was reincarnated and feeding you up, just like old times. The atmosphere and smells reminded... More

A beautiful house in a lovely setting and your host will help arrange visits to the local attractions. The cooking was wonderful and it is a good place to relax and unwind. The only caveat is that you should be prepared to be treated as a guest of honour or long lost member of the family and this can actually... More

Unless you have deep pockets, avoid this place. This place is also in the middle of nowhere, but right on the river's edge, so you need transport to go anywhere and they know this and charge you plenty!! More