Valiyavila Family Estate Kerala - A Home by the Lake - Holidaying in God’s Own Country

Kerala, on India's southwestern coast, is tropical and prosperous. Tourism here is of the relaxing sun-and-sea formula. Kerala means place of coconuts and so it is: the waterways are rimmed with slender palms, but their value is not just scenic.

Best reading? Arundhati Roy's Booker Prize-winning The God of Small Things, set in Kerala, where, "The river shrinks and black crows gorge on bright mangoes in still, dustgreen trees. Red bananas ripen. Jackfruits burst. Dissolute bluebottles hum vacuously in the fruity air."

Recommended by Lonely Planet and approved by Government of Kerala as homestay, the Valiyavila Family Estate is situated on a small peninsula in the heart of the Ashtamudi Lake on the Kollam – Allepy backwater route in Kerala, also popularly known as God`s Own Country or Paradise on Earth.

Family estate is enchanted by the gentle breeze of the lake from all sides and the cooling air from the green canopy on its shores. By land or water, it takes a good  five minutes to reach this eternal land of peace and happiness.

Aesthetically designed and tastefully decorated with all the facilities, such as private bath rooms, shower temples etc, each room faces the lake with independent such decks and bay watch balconies.

Here is an invitation to explore the beauty and happiness of Valiyavila family estate, interview

Q: What is the story of Valiyavila Family Estate?
Prabhat Joseph: It is a holiday home owned by an NRI, settled in Boston. As a homestay it is promoted by a Fair Trade Holidays, i.e. myself and my family, wife and our three year old daughter Neha. I am a graduate in Hotel Management and my wife is a post graduate in Tourism Administration, doing her PH.D in responsible tourism aspects of Kerala tourism. Neha is effective in guest relations.

Q: Where are you located and how best to reach the Estate?
Prabhat Joseph: Five minutes away, 1KM by waterway from Kollam Boat Jetty and Bus Station. It comes on the Kollam - Alleppey waterway, easy to identify with the towering statue of the goddess of light.

The guest can get in or get off to any tourist ferry or houseboat running between Kollam and Alleppey. There is also public ferry from Kollam Boat Jetty (Rs.3 only), One can drop of at Panamukkam Jetty.

By road it is a 20 minutes drive from Kollam City.

Q: Tell us about the Estate, what sort of atmosphere one can expect to find there?
Prabhat Joseph: It is a very private space surrounded by the Ashtamudi Lake on three sides. A peaceful hide away and perfect backwater retreat on a small piece of land on the Kollam-Alleppey backwater way, close to the city of Kollam.

Well appointed six spacious rooms and a cottage comprise Valiya Vila family Estate Home. Each room is different with private balconies overlooking the lake, offering a spectacular view of the rising and setting sun and backwater fishing.

Q: How it all begun, your experience so far?
Prabhat Joseph: After my graduation in Hotel management I   have undergone training in Hotel Ashok in Banglore. On completion, I worked with some resorts in Kerala. Basically I am from a backwater region of Kollam and I became interested in the estate because of the location and contacted the owner Mr. Joseph Fernandez in Boston.
In 2000, the contract was signed and we started this homestay business.

Range of facilities, rooms, interiors:
Prabhat Joseph: Six rooms(2 A/C rooms) - lake facing private balconies – wooden flooring- spacious bathrooms with wet and dry area - library with thoughtfully selected books covering a variety of life in India and in particular, Kerala

Outside atmosphere, the peninsula, the lake:
Prabhat Joseh: Property is uniquely situated on a peninsula in a virgin village called Panamukkom. The location is truly amazing, exquisite, offering a panoramic view of 270 degree, rare birdlife, sunrise and sunset. There is actually no need of air conditioning as the position gives a wonderful breeze.

Q: Your welcome message and philosophy and concept
Prabhat Joseph: A responsible approach to the socio-economic and environmental aspects -following fair trade policies. Therefore we are directly providing accommodation and food.

Our Philosophy is to ensure that local people are getting benefits from our property. For that we are making all the purchases from local shops or from local markets. We are giving the order, they in turn are providing quality products, hiring local taxi or rickshaws, arranging canoe trip with local canoe men.

We are not at all taking share from their rates, we are encouraging direct conversations, direct business dealings.

Q: What sort of holiday or experience offers Valiyavila Family Estate, what can one look forward?
Prabhat Joseph: To watch the nature at its best, perfect place to sit and relax, read, shoot backwater life, bird watching, angling ....many, many...options. Village walks in rural roads rural culture, school children – temple festivals - local tea shops - toddy man etc.

Q: Who are your guests and from which countries, the best season to visit, tourists are you targeting?
Prabhat Joseph: Mostly from Europe – all year round -  peak season is October to March - couples /families.

Q: How is your tourist season so far?
Prabhat Joseph: There is an increased flow of tourists. We are having repeated guests too.

Monsoon will be more colourful!

Q: What is the culinary experience like, a "Kerala special"
Prabhat Joseph: Crab,Kareemeen,prawns esp. tiger prawns breakfast with puttu and kadala/dosa and sambar

Q: Other facilities and activities
Prabhat Joseph: Restaurant- internet- laundry- basket ball court- boating- village tour - temple visit- fishing - Ayurveda - yoga - dolphin tour

Q: Would you like to give us a foretaste to some of cultural programs, guided tour:
Prabhat Joseph: Village backwater tour, village walk, dolphin watch, festival tours, specials are dolphin watch. We are offering cruises house boat - motor boat - country boat - and village backwater tour can be availed from the private jetty of the home.

Interesting trips around Kollam, the village experience, and variety of shopping trips. Concentrating Temple festivals - water festivals - city tour

Final thoughts:
Prabhat Joseph: To make a comfortable and memorable stay. Valiyavila Family Estate will definitely be - your home away from home.

Thank you very much.

Valiyavila Family Estate, Kerala India
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