Up until now Shiva and I used to see ‘accommodations’ as just ‘places to crash’ for a couple of nights during our travels. The main thrill of travel lies in seeking cultural insights and exploring natural wonders, we thought. However, this year, when I took a solo trip to Kerala and spent some soulful, immersive time there, this perception changed. Where we choose to stay can indeed have a huge impact on our experiences, sometimes claiming a spot in our memories forever—whether it’s a five-star luxury hotel, a community-led homestay, or a 17th-century palace, each experience is unique.
Kerala is a land which we associate with that characteristic blue-green landscape that captivates us all. The Highlands of the Western Ghats, the vast Arabian Sea and the many rivers flowing through the state more than hint at the rich biodiversity this region possesses. ‘God’s own country’ – very rightly named indeed, for it features lush greenery, a stunning coastline and expansive backwaters teeming with life. It’s truly an abundance of nature! And when you choose to spend more time in nature, you get to embrace the slowness of life and its many cycles.
Not many places are fortunate enough to enjoy the geographical richness like that found along the Malabar coast. So, while you’re here in this tropical wonderland, discover the joy of unwinding at these unique, (mostly by-the-water) retreats for a slow and rejuvenating experience.
Disclosure: The experiences detailed in this blog post are part of a collaboration with The Blue Yonder, a company that curates unique, responsible, and meaningful travel experiences in Kerala. While my stay and meals were hosted, all thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
Table of Contents
1. Fort House Kochi
Fort House Kochi is a family-run hotel located right by the waterfronts of Fort Cochin. Despite being situated in one of the busiest areas, this property exudes a sense of calmness as soon as you enter. It feels like a sudden gush of pure air washing over you – serene and peaceful. There’s honestly no need for alarms here because all you hear in the mornings are the pleasant sounds of birds. Their waterfront dining area is just perfect for relaxing and lazing around all day. The best part, though, is their Ayurveda treatments. They really go all in, to create an ambiance that allows you to indulge and pamper yourself.
2. Rasa Gurukula
Rasa Gurukula is a riverside retreat located on the banks of the Chalakkudy river. If you’ve ever imagined what living in a traditional village of Kerala would be like, this place brings that vision to life. Rasa Gurukula is perfect for a slow and soulful holiday, blending leisure with tradition.
Designed in a very rural typology, the retreat demonstrates traditional methods of cooking, gardening, farming, and even living (yup, there’s no WiFi here!). Staying here feels like living in harmony with all five elements of nature. You can start your day with a mindful yoga session followed by a delectable breakfast and end your evenings with cultural festivities. With the Chalakkudy river flowing right in front of your cottage, you can take a refreshing dip, watch the sun setting on the horizon and feel truly connected to nature! It’s an experience that will surely feel time has been made to stand still.
3. Clay Fingers
Clay Fingers Pottery and Art Cottages offer a unique stay in Thrissur. If you admire the art of pottery, this is the perfect place to enroll and learn it in a holistic way. Renovated upon a 1950s brick and tile factory, Clay Fingers promotes an ecologically sensitive approach to art and living.
Apart from learning pottery, you can stay in their cozy cottages set in a forest-like environment. The food here is made from locally sourced ingredients and sometimes even from their very own garden. Right from the way of living to the kind of eating, a sense of mindfulness pervades everything here.
Staying here simply meant more to me than usual. For instance, one thing that stuck with me is how they instill the values of sustainability in all their learners. When I crafted a small tortoise from raw clay, my mentor asked if I wanted to bake it. Without much thought, I said, “Yeah sure, that might be good. What do you suggest?” And she told me to think twice before deciding so, because clay, too, although a “natural” material, once fired, takes millions of years to decompose. That realization has stayed with me since and changed my perspective on terracotta.
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”
Jawaharlal Nehru
4. Kodeeri Mana: a 350-year old home in Malappuram
Tucked away in the remote district of Malappuram, on the banks of river Nila, is Kodeeri Mana – a large 3.5-acre farmland and a 350-year-old home belonging to the Namboodiris. It’s the perfect place to unwind from the chaos of the world. The hosts Umaji and Nambooji, are full of inspiring stories – from world travels to farming to sustainable architecture.
As you walk around their mini-forest-like farmland, you’ll find trees like the banana, coconut, nutmeg, mango, etc. growing in a near-natural environment. The property also faces a lotus lake where you can spot many migratory birds. And what’s more, Umaji’s home-cooked meals provide just the comfort and satisfaction you need while traveling. So, choose this homestay if you’re looking for a home away from home.
Note: This is not a typical hotel—there is no room service nor other amenities. It is their home, and offers the necessary, basic accommodation facilities. Currently, the homestay can be booked via The Blue Yonder.
Whether you visit Kerala during the monsoon or in the winter and spring months, you’ll be astounded by the picturesque landscapes. And I hope you find the well-needed rest on your travels in these beautiful, purpose-driven retreats. In a world that often feels fast-paced and overwhelming, finding such places that offer you the space to slow down and reconnect with yourself and nature is priceless.
Have you been to any of these retreats? Or have any more similar suggestions from Kerala? Let us know in comments.
You can even SAVE/PIN this image to read the blog later ..
Hi ! We’re Forum and Shiva, two intrepid souls united by our shared love for TRAVEL and SUSTAINABILITY. We met as architectural colleagues and we both spent some years exploring sustainable and socially responsible architecture. Our mutual fascination for vernacular architecture, traditional communities, and the curiosity to witness the natural world.. all led us to build this little nest: Barriers and Borders.
Our mission is simple – to bring you meaningful stories from the small or the big journeys that we make which could allow you to see the world differently. To let you join our journeys through our words.. to touch upon those little details that maybe get missed.. and above all to attempt to give back to the places we are privileged to visit in this lifetime.
Barriers and borders
Vegan Travellers | Eco-Conscious Architects | Love Envoys | Nature enthusiasts
Barriers and Borders
Hi ! We’re Forum and Shiva, two intrepid souls united by our shared love for TRAVEL and SUSTAINABILITY. We met as architectural colleagues and we both spent some years exploring sustainable and socially responsible architecture. Our mutual fascination for vernacular architecture, traditional communities, and the curiosity to witness the natural world.. all led us to build this little nest: Barriers and Borders.
Our mission is simple – to bring you meaningful stories from the small or the big journeys that we make which could allow you to see the world differently. To let you join our journeys through our words.. to touch upon those little details that maybe get missed.. and above all to attempt to give back to the places we are privileged to visit in this lifetime.
Error: No feed with the ID 2 found.
Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.
4 Soulful Retreats or Homestays in Kerala to Slow Down and Unwind
Slow down, unwind, and immerse yourself in the beauty of 'God's own...
Read MoreSnippets From The Wild: An Architect’s Memoirs from the Land of the Tiger in Central India
Read Shiva's captivating stories and unique experiences as an architect in the...
Read More