Lovedale Lakeside Homestay: The joy of living with a Keralite family
- BZee Travel Lovers
- Nov 26, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 24, 2021
Ever fancied a home where the constant chirping of birds keeps you company, where you can lie down on a hammock in the lawns overlooking a vast lake while watching the locals commute by boats? Well, this was 1/3rd of the experiences we had at Lovedale lakeside homestay in Alleppey. Why 1/3rd you ask? Because we experienced so much more than just this. Read on to discover the delight of living with a warm, Keralite family.
Anshad, the owner of Lovedale Lakeside homestay, is a retired professional who has worked in the gulf for many years. He started this homestay almost a decade back in his own ancestral property. His aim is to provide the most authentic experience to people visiting Kerala. Right from the way the cottages are styled to the way the food is made, you will see and experience the touch of Kerala. His wife accompanies him in this quest by doling out lip-smacking goodness for all the visitors!
ACCOMMODATION
The place has five rooms in all. Each room comes with an ensuite bathroom and basic toiletries are provided. The rooms are air-conditioned and complete with amenities like a TV, a wardrobe, and a dressing table.
Cottage
The cottage comprises two separate rooms and each can accommodate two (sometimes +1) Anshad narrated an interesting story behind the cottage. This whole cottage was an old Kerala home once, dating back to around 100 years. At the point when he was establishing the homestay, he purchased this and had the whole cottage transported to his place. He further renovated it to make it into two rooms. Quite interesting, right?
Rooms on the 1st floor of the main home
The rest of the three rooms are on the 1st floor of their main house. One of these rooms is slightly bigger than the rest and can accommodate four people, good for a family, but you need to book prior.
COMMON AREAS
Guests are welcome to meander around the property and spend time in any nook and corner they please. Common sitting areas include the restaurant space which is by the vast Vembanad lake, hammocks, an open balcony on the 1st floor overlooking the lake, and an internal dining area also on the 1st floor. There is also a pleasant, lawned garden space to simply take a stroll and enjoy the flora.
FOOD
Food is a highlight here, hands-down. We would go back just for the food.
Breakfast
Breakfast is included in your room tariff. What you get is an unlimited spread of authentic Kerala dishes. Idiyappam, Appam, Omelette, some vegetable preparation like Green Peas or Grams, are served.
Fresh Lake Fish
Also, no one should miss the fish preparations from here. Order Karimeen fry, Tiger Prawns fry, Fish curry Kerala style and eat like never before. We were left asking for more. We even requested that they make us fish to carry back so we could savor the taste one final time on our train journey while returning home. Very sweetly they obliged and made us some super amazing Prawns Masala and Chapatis.
Others
You could also enjoy the authentic Kerala Parotha and Chicken Masala which were to die for. They also cater to requests like salads, teas, fruits, etc. as per the availability. You will have absolutely no issues with food here whatsoever.
EXPERIENCES
Anshad is lovely to talk to. He will help you plan your entire stay and suggest to you how to go about your activities.
Relax
Really, relax, read a book, keep staring at the lake, repeat. The surrounding is so calm and quiet, you would fall asleep on the hammocks. Take it slow and just be. You deserve it and this place allows you to.
Shikara ride
Hire a Shikara on an hourly basis to take you around the Vembanad lake towards the Kumarakom bird sanctuary and Pathiramanal Island. The boat picks you right at the homestay and drops you back. How cool, right?
Hire Bicycles
One can hire bicycles and traverse around the narrow village lanes at their own pace. What better way to enjoy the countryside!
Ayurveda Massage
Indulge in a relaxing and rejuvenating Ayurveda massage at their sister property Shanthitheeram Lakeside Heritage Resort. The masseuse lady Asha who attended me was amazing at the craft and had over 27 years of experience. I was thoroughly relaxed post my hour-long deep tissue massage.
Visit Nearby attractions
There are many places one can head to from here. Marari beach, Alleppey Beach, The Arthunkal Church, Coir Museum, Alleppey lighthouse, Kumarakom bird sanctuary and much more.
We would say, our Kerala trip was complete only after staying at this cosy homestay. Living with the locals, hearing stories of their childhood, and eating with them gives us pure joy. We were happy to stumble upon this gem. If you have any queries please feel free to comment below or DM us on Insta, we are quite active there. Do let us know whether you liked this recommendation.
What a gem of a find! Reading about Lovedale Lakeside Homestay instantly transported me to those peaceful backwaters — the hammock by the lake, bird sounds in the morning, and Anshad's family hospitality sound absolutely soul-refreshing. The bit about the 100-year-old cottage being transported and restored gave me chills — that's such a uniquely Kerala story! And the food… Karimeen fry and Kerala Parotha at that setting? I'm already planning a trip! It's funny how travel like this resets your entire mindset. As a student studying in the UK, life gets overwhelming with deadlines, and I genuinely rely on reliable academic writing help for UK degrees to keep up — but posts like yours remind me why it's worth pushing…
What a beautifully written post! Your stay at Lovedale Lakeside Homestay sounds like such a peaceful escape — the way you described the view of the lake and the hospitality really makes me want to book a trip there myself. I love how you highlight the simple joys of connecting with nature while still enjoying comfort and good company. Reading your post also reminded me how important it is to find balance in life, especially when we’re constantly busy with studies or work. As someone who’s been juggling university tasks, I totally get the need for a break! Recently, I came across Marketing Assignment Help UK services that made academic life easier, giving me time to explore places like this.…
Through practical analysis, UNICCM explains how bioethanol can help industries transition toward lower-emission operations and efficient energy use. The explanation makes technical insights accessible. Learners receive context-rich explanation. This encourages forward-thinking solutions.
This beautifully captures how staying with a local family offers insights that go far beyond sightseeing, especially the warmth and everyday rhythms of Keralite life. The emphasis on storytelling and clear expression made me think about how narratives benefit from refinement, similar to English editing for academic manuscripts something people often ask Academic Editors about in discussion spaces.
This sounds like a genuinely enriching experience staying with a local family often reveals cultural details that hotels miss. Reading this made me think how storytelling and reflection are valued everywhere, much like Education assignments assistance online discussions students sometimes seek from places like Affordable Assignments to better express lived experiences thoughtfully.