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Philipkutty’s Farm, Kumarakom

Lake-view cottages in a spice and coconut farm on an island in the Vembanad Lake.

A pioneer in Kerala homestays, Philikutty’s Farm near Kottayam is the brainchild of Vinod Mathew. At a time when agricultural revenue was waning, he decided to showcase the very facets of his farm that made it a difficult proposition. The fifty acre farm which grows spices and coconuts is on an island built on reclaimed land within the Vembanad Lake.  Typical of reclaimed backwater areas, it is 2 meters lower than the level of the lake and has a retaining wall all around the island. It is surrounded by water and accessible only by country boat. And this is the part that guests love. The serenity, the view of the lake and its inaccessibility combine to give a “Robinson Crusoe with comforts” holiday.  Sadly, Vinod passed away a few years ago at a young age. His energetic wife Anu and mother Aniamma run the farm now.

This is the perfect place to finish the book that you have been working on for the last decade. There are six cottages built in the traditional Kerala style with tiny courtyards facing the lakefront. Each cottage including the bathroom has an abundance of wooden fittings and is furnished beautifully with antiques. There are minor differences between the cottages but clearly the focus is on privacy and quietness. Instead of air conditioners, there are ceiling fans in all rooms. A common path runs in front of the villas though it does not disturb the privacy of the cottages. A wooden pavilion with a large dining table for communal meals is in close proximity. It also has bookcases and small tables with chairs for guests to use.

Mealtimes are undoubtedly the highlight of the day with the table groaning under the weight of the traditional Kerala feasts cooked by Aniamma. She is an outstanding cook who focuses on specialties from the backwaters. Gourmet magazines from Europe have featured her and now group lunches too are organized at the farm.

The family owns a plot of land on the mainland where cars can be parked safely, overnight . Their private country boat is available to ferry guests on their trips to the mainland and back.

Activities

Ayurveda treatments

Cycling

Canoe rides

Attractions

St Mary's Church

Vaikom Temple

Read reviews

More Information

Eco facts

Organic farming, rain water harvesting, bio-gas plant

Nearest Railway Station :

Kottayam 20 kms

Nearest Airport :

Kochi 75 kms

Reviews ( 2 )

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Manvitha Singamsetty
2013-04-29 13:08:51
I know I am rather late in responding to your request for feedback and quite uncharmingly late in thanking you for the wonderful trip we had, but please know this comes from the heart. Thank you so very much for giving Amrita and me a truly unforgettable and redeeming holiday. We were both really looking forward to this trip and I think the week we spent in Kerala was really the highlight of our past year.  Thank you so much for discovering and suggesting PK farm to us! Without your website we wouldn\'t have been able to know of PK farm and enjoy the absolute serenity and beauty of the farm and the family which runs it. Anu and her mum are so caring and really hospitable. PK farm was certainly worth all the effort of the many months it took us to finalize and book the place. Without a doubt, I will suggest this to my friends who plan to travel to Kerala. Amrita, I believe, has already done this! As you can tell, we absolutely loved the farm. Now I can\'t wait to visit the other locations on your website. (Vaamika island is still on mind! I think for luxury of a different kind, it might prove to be a good vacation spot.)

Reviews ( 2 )

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• Marta Niccolini

  December 15, 2012

  Loved this cottage surrounded by water. How wonderful to cross by a wooden boat with a boatman using a long pole. Anu and her family were very warm hosts. Of course as Sudha had told us, the Keralan food is the best part at Philipkuttys. Beware, you will put on a few pounds by the end of your stay. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here.

• Manvitha Singamsetty

  April 29, 2013

  I know I am rather late in responding to your request for feedback and quite uncharmingly late in thanking you for the wonderful trip we had, but please know this comes from the heart. Thank you so very much for giving Amrita and me a truly unforgettable and redeeming holiday. We were both really looking forward to this trip and I think the week we spent in Kerala was really the highlight of our past year. 

  Thank you so much for discovering and suggesting PK farm to us! Without your website we wouldn\’t have been able to know of PK farm and enjoy the absolute serenity and beauty of the farm and the family which runs it. Anu and her mum are so caring and really hospitable. PK farm was certainly worth all the effort of the many months it took us to finalize and book the place. Without a doubt, I will suggest this to my friends who plan to travel to Kerala. Amrita, I believe, has already done this! As you can tell, we absolutely loved the farm.

  Now I can\’t wait to visit the other locations on your website. (Vaamika island is still on mind! I think for luxury of a different kind, it might prove to be a good vacation spot.)