A picturesque uphill drive from Madapur (about 25 kilometers from Madikeri) sets the mood for what's in store- the sprawling Bellarimotte Estate that overlooks the Kotebetta peak. Set amidst the 80-acre coffee, pepper, cardamom and orange plantation of Bellarimotte Estate is Bel Home.
The guests are met at their cottage in Bel Home by the hosts Vijai Deviah and his wife Ramolla. Vijai and Ramolla are very modest and unassuming people. Their homestay too has a certain lack of pretension. The two rooms in the cottage are simple- there are no television sets or other electronic gadgets in there. Both the rooms, however, are very spacious, immaculate and spotlessly clean. The service at Bel Home is personal, yet unobtrusive.
Vijai and Ramolla like to have guests who seek to be in communion with nature. Their simple advice for guests coming to Bel Home is to leave their iPods behind so as to listen to the soothing sounds of nature here- be it the chirping of birds, the cool breeze whistling or the roar of the nearby river.
While one is here one need not set an alarm to wake up in the morning- one is woken up by the chirping of birds. Bel Home, incidentally, is a delight for bird watchers- over a 100 species of birds can be spotted at the Bellarimotte Estate.
Civets too are known to roam around the Bellarimotte Estate. Incidentally, Civet Coffee made from civet droppings of undigested coffee berries is worth it's weight in gold across the world. If guests are interested, Vijai can offer them freshly brewed Civet Coffee. Guests can drink in the beauty of the surroundings while sipping the most expensive brew in the world from the sit out of their cottage.
While at Bel Home a guest can also enjoy a game of tennis or billiards at the nearby Madapur Club. Vijai Deviah, who happens to be a member of the latter, can take his guests along to the Madapur Club.
Nature is unadulterated at the Bellarimotte Estate. Harried city dwellers seeking a relaxing holiday will find Bel Home an ideal place to soothe their stressed nerves.