Depending on the location, Homestays can offer anything from adventure pursuits, artistic activities and experiencing local culture such as dance and music. You will find that your hosts are dedicated to making sure you enjoy everything that the region has to offer, not least family hospitality!
The hosts pride themselves on the individual attention they can give their guests, whether for comfort, food, or just an interesting chat. The Homestays
are generally houses typical to the region with at most around six guest bedrooms. They have none of the aloof detachment typical to hotels, yet this doesn’t mean
that guests and family are living on top of each other. Some Homestays have rooms for guests in separate “cottages”, others offer rooms within the house.
In any case, guests can have as much privacy as they require; as much familiarity with the family as they like. Guests are invited to feel at home and there really
is no hospitality like Indian hospitality.
Homestays act as a base from which to explore the region, but simply staying in them is an experience leagues ahead of alternative accommodation on the tourist trail. It takes the detachment away from tourism, makes the guide book redundant and gives you a unique and unforgettable experience of the intricacies of Indian life and culture.
All over India there are many different types of homes, their various architectural styles are typical of the area they are found in, the history of their
owners and a range of social and religious traditions. There are the Havelis of Northern India and the Tharavadu houses in Kerala, the
planters’ mansions on tea and spice plantations and the colonial bungalows. Other Homestays reflect modern India including stylish apartments
in Delhi and contemporary houses all over the country.
Many of the Homestays have been chosen to reflect the culture and traditions of the area: for instance, Havelis in North India often have Islamic architectural details - the word
Haveli is of Persian origin, meaning "an enclosed place". They are often large, elegant houses with a courtyard in the centre, and a variety of elaborate features such as
decorative external carvings, murals and interior alcoves.