VARIKATT HERITAGE

Roy and his housekeeper Molly, a good cook, were very hospitable hosts. Varikatt Heritage is indeed an old style house, with interesting furniture and features. The deluxe room was big, bright and comfortable. It would have been nice If the windows in the dressing room and bathroom closed, we could have had the mosquitoes out. It was good however that the bathroom had a ceiling fan and an exhaust fan. A few extra additions and meals could be priced in line with comparable food prices to make it value for money. Although Molly was obliging every time we wanted a cup of tea or coffee or water, Roy has promised to have self-service tea/coffee making facilities available.

6 years ago

I spent 5 days at this wonderfully charming and hospitable home and was made to feel completely welcome and well-cared-for. Colonel Roy Kuncheria is a gallant gentleman whose manners recall a bygone era. As a solo female traveller, I felt totally safe here and Col. Roy was very solicitous of me, helping me get around or hail a tuk-tuk when needed. The house and garden are a lovely oasis in a bustling and charming city, and it's very centrally located so easy to get around to all the markets and sights; also plenty of restaurants nearby. The large veranda is my favorite place to relax, and the whole house exudes colonial charm; it's filled with antiques as well as stories and history, which Col. Roy will regale you with in a most charming way (he should write his memoirs!). Beds are very comfortable, rooms well-appointed, and everything spotlessly clean. I must talk about the excellent food: truly a highlight here is Molly's cooking and hospitality. She is amazing: her local dishes are outstanding! Breakfasts of homemade idly, neer dosa, puri masala and very Keralan puttu were mouth-watering, accompanied by the tastiest coconut chutney and accompaniments I had in India. A lunch of local fresh veggies and fish curry (fresh from Connemara market that morning) was outstanding. Both Molly and Col. Roy went out of their way to please my palate and they succeeded—the memory of those fine meals, and that gracious and lovely home and hospitality will stay with me for a long, long time. I can't wait to return—as I think of it as my home in Trivandrum—and I will bring my husband and children next time. I know they will love it as I did. Thanks so much, Col. Roy and Molly!

6 years ago

As an experienced traveller I spend a considerable amount of time choosing places I want to stay so I use I-escapes(IE) or Sawdays or type charming rustic unique on Google. ||||I had already booked a Yoga stay at an Ashram and was looking for a place I would feel safe as I was here arriving all on my own 3 am after a long flight. ||||The description and photos of Varikatt Heritage literally stopped me dead in my tracks as a feeling of overwhelming nostalgia overcame me. How could a written description of a place in a different continent tug at your heart so much that you vow to find that place come what may.||||Fast forward a few days into my trip the main purpose to do yoga at an ashram and thereafter be a tourist. The Ashram didn't work for me solely because of personal reasons so I literally after checking out with the speed of a fit and energetic 12-year-old ran out and got a taxi needing a safe haven. This safe haven is Varikatt Heritage||||As soon as I walked through the entrance I was at home. Varikatt Heritage is in the heart of the city and yet the first feeling you get is one of tranquillity. You immediately slow down your thoughts your every feeling and relax in this piece of heaven.||Varikatt Heritage is owned and run by Roy, a wonderful man who retired with the rank of colonel from the Gurkhas who makes you feel special and enjoys nothing more than sharing his home with his guests and yet is never intrusive.||The front wrap around porch is huge with many relaxing pieces of furniture which I subsequently learned were original antiques from Roy's great grandfather. They are beautiful and there are no rules as to which sofa or rocking or lounge chair to use. ||||My double room which was bigger than suites I have stayed in Europe and the suite, well that is like a 1 bed apartment.||||Breakfast was included in my stay and, after the first day I asked to have dinner for the 5 nights I stayed there. Meals are a discussion with Roy and Molly who is the housekeeper/chef and catered to everything I wanted. The breakfast was just too much to eat so Molly went to the local markets and bought fresh fruits so that we could make smoothies together ! I have a partiality for Malabar Parotta and these were made specially for me along with a delicious range of curries for dinner each evening. ||||If you are looking for a truly unique experience in a charming comfortable historic home with a host who is passionate about his home, his culture and his history and who wants to share this with you stop looking. You have found it

5 years ago

Amazing stay at Magnolia guest house. The rooms are spacious and amazing. The pool is clean. A lot of the roms have a sea view. This is the best place for a staycation. The beach is 2 mins away. The famous varkala cliff is 10 mins walking. There is a famous restaurant babu farms just 7 mins walking. They serve food tot he rooms. Rooms were clean and well done up

2 years ago

A charming homestay with a fascinating history. On the whole very clean although the floors could have done with a sweep and a wash. Molly, the cook, was delightful and the food was wonderful and it was clear that she looked after Colonel Roy very well which was lovely to see. ||Unfortunately, however, Colonel Roy seemed to get a bit confused when it came to sticking to previous quotes for taxis. Having promised my mother an AC innover to take her to pick me up from the ashram where I was staying before arriving, what showed up was a very small car for the same charge claiming that there was no way she could get an AC innover for that price (we have lived and travelled in India for over 4 years and so are aware of the value of things like this). He then made the same claims about the taxi we had organised with him for our long journey to our next destination the following day and so rather than negotiating we simply booked through another company who were excellent and who gave us an AC innover with a superb driver for the same price as colonel Roy had assured us we could get nothing more than a small car for. I believe that this may have been due to a combination of forgetfulness and an attempt to make more money out of us.||Despite this, I must give credit where it’s due as colonel Roy and molly we’re both wonderful company and colonel Roy very kindly arranged for a car to pick me up from the airport and take me to the ashram where I was a month before staying with him, insisting that I call him as soon as I got in the car and once again when I arrived at the ashram to ensure my safety!

5 years ago

Small home stay place, comfortable and clean, in a 200 years heritage house with an amazing story behaind it.||Just ask Roy to tell you the story and you will be fascinated.||Freshly cooked breakfest every morning, with local food, at your request.||Roy will help you to plan and answer any question you might have with warm and open hart.||And don't miss Roy's amazing stories before going to sleep. He is an amazing story teller.||We enjoyed this stay a lot.

7 years ago

If you want a hotel go to a hotel. If you want a place with old-world charm and character, stay here. The owner is Colonel Roy and nearly 80 years old. He is courteous, attentive and interesting. He is assisted by Molly whose thosai and idli, sambal and chutney are delicious. Yes it's an old house. And if you leave your door open the mossies will come in. I thoroughly enjoyed my chats with the owner. I loved the antiques in my room and elsewhere. I wish I'd been less busy and had time for lunch and dinner there too.

7 years ago

Old colonial style heritage house situated in the centre of the city. Well maintained and clean. Big room with excellent beds, mosquito nets, The owner, Mr. Roy is the perfect host. He can give you any advice. Excellent south Indian breakfast and meals. Better than any hotel!

7 years ago