If you are heading to Kochi for a weekend, check into the Mylanthra Riverside Heritage Homestay. It’s right next to Lake Vembanad, so you’ve got yourself a brilliant view of the backwaters too. Close to a century old, the Mylanthra Riverside Heritage Homestay is for anyone looking to get the real feel of old Kerala. The gabled roof, wooden ceilings, and red oxide flooring feature prominently in this heritage property — needless to say that each window looks out onto coconut and mango trees just about everywhere. The sit-out is perfect for an afternoon siesta and come evenings, it’s a spot for some catching up with the rest of your group. If you’re travelling solo, owners and hospitable hosts, Basil Mylanthra and Annie Basil, will regale you with local history and stories from the past.
Adjacent to the bungalow is a riverside cottage that looks out to Lake Vembanad. You can check into the deluxe room in the bungalow or a room in the riverside cottage for your stay. Inclusive of breakfast, the hosts primarily serve Kerala cuisine with a lot of seafood dishes, so be sure to load up on local cuisines for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And Annie doesn’t hold back on filling you up so enjoy her excellent food and don’t fuss. The deluxe room is priced at INR 2,200 inclusive of breakfast while the riverside cottage rooms are priced at INR 2,500 inclusive of breakfast.
You can head to the nearby shrimp farm and paddy fields. The latter is a perfect place for photo-ops — a lush, green sea that’s almost postcard perfect. The hosts can also arrange for a boat ride to the backwaters and nearby islands like Willingdon Island. Do make sure you visit Kumbalangi, which is Kerala’s first model tourism village where you can take part in activities ranging from coir making to clam meat processing and pottery to beedi making. Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, and Vypeen are also nearby and worth a visit.
