It’s another world altogether. Almost like a log cabin, but built in the Kerala style, Heritage Heaven is located in the middle of a quiet residential area, not too far from Marari Beach. And the homestay recreates the beach atmosphere; whether from the sand that is along the walkway leading to the rooms, the seashells that decorate the bathroom window, or the semi-enclosed dining area which looks like a beach shack.
Heritage Heaven is built in the typical Kerala style – it is a wooden ‘Naalukettu’ (a term used to describe huge Kerala-style houses). The building has a sloping tiled roof and has walls made of teak wood, both in the interiors and exteriors. The entrance has a ‘Padipura’ – a gate with carved wooden door and manual wooden ‘sashas’ or bolts. Walk across the path beside the pond, and a short flight of steps leads you to the porch-cum-landing, which has an antique swing; the two bedrooms are located off this landing.
Anil and his wife Archana, the owners, bought the 140-year-old house and reconstructed it a few years ago, taking care to keep the heritage value intact. Many of the materials used in the older building have been used during reconstruction. And it is a vintage house, right down to the smaller details. Each bedroom has an ‘ara’ – an enclosure that was used to store grains – which now makes for a good, safe place to store your luggage.
The rooms have a dressing room and a bathroom with ventilators running across the breadth – this lets in enough light and also keeps the bathrooms airy and fresh. The furniture and furnishings complement the architectural style, while providing a cozy feel. The usage of wood ensures that the temperature inside the rooms is kept down during the hotter seasons, and provides warmth in the colder ones. The dining room downstairs is open on all four sides, and you can enjoy the cool breeze as you dine at a table set on the sand.
It is in such surroundings that you feel glad not to be tied down by telephones, television or the internet. Spend your days fishing, or just lazing around at the beach, visit the temples and churches nearby, or get a soothing Ayurvedic massage. Or spend time with Archana and Anil, discussing movies, literature and travel, while savouring the famous fish curry, fish masala and palappam that the hosts are known for. If you choose to go fishing, the hosts will offer to cook your fresh fish for you.
The hosts have a huge number of guests who return for more stays here, impressed by the calm and quiet, and the traditional Kerala style of living. Many who intend to stay for just a night, end up extrending their say. And it’s not hard to understand why
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