Gk's Riverview Homestay

We came here for a two night stay to see the backwaters. Our stay was wonderful - George was SO helpful, recommended a ferry to Muhamma and back, a two hour canoe ride around the canals, and sorted all our onwards travel for us. Would HIGHLY recommend if you want to experience the backwaters in a local town (full of the most smiley people I have ever come across), with not another tourist in sight. The room is simple and comfy with great AC and a view over a paddy field - what more could you want!

I have written several reviews because my husband and I come every year. First visit was in 2013 with my daughter. We were so happy being among nature that we stayed 10 days. Husband's first visit was in 2018 and he insists on returning. We live in the U.S.A. George's place is outside of Kottayam in a village called Aymanam. There are no tourists and situated in the backwaters. Here can one experience true backwater life with people washing clothes in the canal, children on their bikes going to school, the fish walla (fish seller), hear the bells of St George along with the chorus of birds. We experienced the farmers planting rice as the rooms face the rice fields.|Meals are served in the house. George grows his own coffee. Hubby enjoys the coffee but one must try my hubby's favorite Keralan breakfast "puttu" with George's bananas.|Rooms are basic but has everything -bed, nightstand, place to hang clothes, refrigerator with kettle, coffee, tea. Anything more fancy would ruin the atmosphere. Writers have stayed in the past to complete their projects. Past guests such as us have stayed in touch with George and Dai. This is a testament to their loving nature and character. George will arrange ayurvedic massages and where to get dental and eye glasses. He will suggests things to do such as the ferry bus and walks. Hubby and I enjoy the walks greeting the villagers. As I am writing this review I am blessed with the chorus of birds

Everything was wonderful. George and Dai are very, very kind and helpful, the area and rice paddy field view is beautiful, the food was delicious and rooms clean. We literally recommend this place unconditionally! Remember to see all the plants and crops they grow. Communication via whatsapp was totally smooth!

I spent 4 nights at GK homestay and I had an amazing time. ||The homestay is located in the middle of the backwaters, far from touristic areas. My hosts organised a tuktuk to come pick me up from the train station, which worked out great. ||||The room itself is small, but it contains everything you might need. Georgekuti and his wife were super nice, cooking amazing meals adapted to my dietary requirements, and I really felt like I was part of the family during my stay! ||||Their home is surrounded by the backwaters, so I spent quite some time exploring them by foot, public ferry, and then traditional boat during a cruise organised by my hosts. I also really enjoyed the Ayurvedic massage Georgekuti organised for me. ||||All in all, a place I highly recommend for anyone interested in discovering this beautiful part of Kerala!

(December 2019)||GK's Riverview Homestay in the rural area of the backwaters is a wonderful place to experience the real backwaters with all its inhabitants. We fuelled up our souls and spirits relaxing in the hammocks of the guesthouse's terrace overlooking rice fields and palm trees. ||Our most favourite aspect of this Homestay (besides Dai's wonderful cooking) was our very caring and generous host George. He helped us organising great trips to the backwaters and nearby cities (Kottayam, Alleppey) so we could enjoy the real beauty of the backwaters beyond the (overpriced) standard touristic programmes. George also gave us insider recommendations and organised transportation to a very special Hindi festival (including elephants, fire and drums) nearby, which we otherwise would never have experienced.||||The rooms provided all basics needed during our stay and were very clean. Warm water, fan, WIFI and A/C were available. ||The accommodation fare includes great Kerala breakfast and dinner prepared by George's wife Dai mainly using organic vegetables and spices grown by themselves directly at the property. Both gave us valuable insights into country and people as well as practical demonstrations in banana, coconut and spice planting and harvesting. The whole location is run in a very hygienic and environmental-friendly standard way above usual Indian standards.||||All in all we had great 4 days with George and his family and can highly recommend this wonderful, welcoming Homestay :)

We arrived at George and Di's home and were immediately welcomed so warmly. He got us set up in the well equipped, quiet and private room set close but separate to the main house. Before we knew it we had perfectly working AC on in the room (he had cooled the room in preparation for our arrival- bliss!) and a delicious lunch served outside our room looking over the rice paddy fields and fresh tea and home grown coffee in the room with a kettle. He also found out we were interested in the birds so lent us his book so we could distinguish their types. The house is set next to the most beautiful part of the Keralan backwaters and you can see a truly authentic way of life, unspoilt by large scale tourism. His garden is full of home grown produce such as bananas, coffee, cinnamon and coconuts. George was incredibly thoughtful and provided us with a map for a local walk and clear directions on how to use the public ferry to see the backwater. There was also the option to take a canoe, which we didn't do but might have been good if we had more time. I have recommended this to friends and fellow travellers since our stay in January 2020 and would suggest this as the perfect stop for anyone looking for an authentic, well consider and welcoming homestay. This is not a hotel and it is in a local village. There are some small shops dotted around but no restaurants. The food that George and Di provided is so delicious we felt no need desire for a restaurant but if you are looking for restaurant dining this is not the place for you. This is all about getting to know local people and being welcomed into their home. Thank you George and Di for a fantastic stay!

I had a great time in Kumarakom at Georges place. The rooms are simple, but Georg and his wife are so heatwarming and guestfriendly that I can fully recommend to stay at his place. He even organized a canoe tour for me and explained me a lot about the different plants in his garden.

The best place to stay in Kerala, and possibly all of India. A gorgeous setting, in the backwaters near Kottayam, surrounded by coconut trees, canals and rice paddies. Unbelievably generous and gracious hosts (George and Dai) who will do anything to look after you and cook you delicious (Syrian Orthodox) Keralan food. Friendly neighbours. All sorts of wildlife on your doorstep, from birds to toads and monitor lizards. Easy access to boat trips and transport to Kochi or Munnar. It was so nice I ended up staying here for 2 months, and I will definitely be back. It will feel like your second home. Thank you George and Dai!