Philipkutty's Farm

from £270
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Photo of Philipkutty's Farm
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Madatha Cottage Padipura
“An idyllic homestay on a farm-island in the backwaters of Lake Vembanad. A truly authentic Keralan experience in a magical setting”

Hotel review

Set on Puthankayal Island in Kerala’s backwaters, this spoiling farm-stay is a unique hideaway: it’s a home, guesthouse and working farm, all rolled into one. The six villas are wonderfully secluded, set along the sparkling waterfront, among palms and blooming frangipani trees. In keeping with the design of traditional backwater bungalows, each one has as many as 18 carved windows and eight doors to keep them cool. They’re decorated with clay-tiled floors, antiques, mahogany furniture and private ‘sit-outs’. Your hosts – the vivacious Anu Mathew, her mother-in-law and her two children – will proudly show you around the lush farmland, with its thriving coconut palms, banana, cinnamon, aloe vera and pepper trees as well as Vechoor cows and poultry. With such fresh produce at their fingertips, it’s no surprise the food is utterly scrumptious; even Rick Stein agrees and included Philipkutty’s in his book, Rick Stein’s India. Sitting around a communal table in a thatched pavilion, you’ll enjoy local specialities such as fish fry or Kerala prawn curry with rice and appam. And when you’re not busy eating, there’s a ‘vallam’ (country boat) and some precarious dugout canoes, so you can paddle around armed with bamboo fishing rods or watch the fishermen haul in their nets at sunset.

Laura Griffith-Jones

Recommended for

  • Total relaxation

    • A fabulous farmstay with warm, welcoming hosts, fantastic food & a sense of timeless charm on the water's edge

  • Cooking classes

    • Aniamma's cookery demonstrations are sensational, offering a real insight into family-style Keralan cuisine

  • Learning

    • Guided tours of the 45-acre farm offer an insight into the crops, harvests and uses of coconuts & spices

  • Foodies

    • Keen foodies will adore the chance to savour regional specialities using farm-grown produce

  • Restaurant

    • All meals are included, and feature delicious seasonal curries - scrumptious to all including Rick Stein.

  • Yoga

    • Classes for everyone from beginners to more experienced yogis can be arranged

  • Birdwatching

    • Spot egrets, Cormorants, snake birds and more out on the water

  • Other Activities

    • Evening cruises along the canals are nothing short of magical

  • Owner managed

    • The Mathew family are warm, wonderful hosts

  • Air conditioning

    • Available in the cottages

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Cycling

  • Fishing

  • Outstanding location

  • Full of character

  • House party feel

  • Hideaway

  • Great walks

  • Farmhouse

  • Riverside

  • Quiet

  • Eco

  • Remote

  • Secluded setting

  • Antiques

  • Quirky

  • Intimate

  • Charming

  • Child friendly

  • Traditional

  • Wildlife Area

Facilities

  • Rooms

    7 rooms in this hotel

  • Restaurant

    All meals are included, and feature delicious seasonal curries - scrumptious to all including Rick Stein.

  • Communal Dining

    All meals are served in the family dining room or outside in the thatched pavillion

  • Garden

    Lovely gardens bordering the water

  • Wifi

    Wi Fi is accessed in certain areas

  • Air conditioning

    Available in the cottages

  • Babysitting

    By prior arrangement

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Cots available

  • Massage

  • No pets

  • Outdoor dining

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Bicycles available

  • Child friendly

  • Satellite / Cable TV

Activities

  • Cooking classes

    • Aniamma's cookery demonstrations are sensational, offering a real insight into family-style Keralan cuisine

  • Learning

    • Guided tours of the 45-acre farm offer an insight into the crops, harvests and uses of coconuts & spices

  • Yoga

    • Classes for everyone from beginners to more experienced yogis can be arranged

  • Birdwatching

    • Spot egrets, Cormorants, snake birds and more out on the water

  • Other Activities

    • Evening cruises along the canals are nothing short of magical

  • Cycling

  • Fishing

  • Great walks

  • Wildlife Area

Map & Location

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Check availability on Booking.com