Staying at Philipkutty’s Farm is an excellent
opportunity to enjoy the real Keralan experience in a fascinating
location, with a caring family to look after you. It is a special place,
as it provides something different, especially for those who prefer
small and friendly places, and, could just be, the perfect hideaway for
the bespoke traveller.
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You are welcomed, looked after, and cared for by the
family (wife Anu, mother Aniamma, son Philip and myself - Vinod). Though
the family hosts you, your privacy is assured as the waterfront villas
are entirely independent and away from the family residence. The first
villa designed by Karl Damscen, a Swiss architect, is a traditionally
styled, antique filled, open plan affair, with sufficient space for a
couple and an extra bed if need be. The other villas designed by Thomas
Dominic, are the same in style and deco, but with separate bedroom,
living room and ‘sit-out’ facing the peaceful waterfront. |
| Staying with the family is an unforgettable
experience with fond memories to take back. As hosts, we reside on the
property full time, and hence, our personalised attention is assured.
All guests at Philipkutty’s Farm are welcomed and cared for by the
family. We are fully involved and would gladly take you around the farm
or the many places of interest or just sit and chat with you. You are
also welcome to share in our interests - mum enjoys cooking and I do
paintings as a hobby. All this is without compromising your privacy. The
family takes a lot of interest in personalising your stay, depending
upon your interest. We are always there to make your holiday another
memorable experience. |
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We strive to give our guests the undiluted real
Kerala with exposure to the Keralan way of life of a Kuttanadan
(backwater) family. The interaction with the family is also an educative
experience for the guests on issues like farming, cuisine and culture.
Along with the fond memories they carry back, most guests when they
leave are also better informed. |
| The farm is located on a small farm (approx-750
acres) in the backwaters / Vembanad Lake next to Kumarakom within the
Vechoor village limits. The farm is about 50 acres (owned by the family
and some relatives). Being a reclaimed property typical of the Kuttanad
or backwater region, the farm is approx 2 mts. below the lake level. The
retaining dyke around the perimeter keeps the lake water from entering
the farm. Being below the lake level, all the rain water is pumped out
especially during the monsoon season by using an electric motor and
pump. This is critical to the existence of the farm. |
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The farm is made up of ridges and canals, with all
the planting done on the ridges. The canals are used for natural fish
culture. Karimeen (Pearl spot) and fresh water jumbo prawns (scampi) are
grown naturally in some of the canals. The major crops on the farm are
coconut, toddy tapping, nutmeg, cocoa, banana, pepper and many other
fruits, vegetables and spices. The farm also has a few cows, geese,
ducks and hens. We are members of the Vechoor Cow Trust and are doing
our small part in the conservation of Vechoor cows by having one on the
farm. We hope to take up a few more. Currently we have started planting
vanilla also. |
| The farm was a ‘modern’ farm when it started, but in
the last 10 years we have been systematically cutting down on chemicals
and relying more on organic and natural farming methods. Today we have
successfully cut down by 75 to 80% all chemical inputs. At present the
farm employs sustainable and organic methods of farming and we believe
that in the coming years we will be a 100% organic farm. All the villas
are spacious, independent and located on the outer dyke facing the
peaceful backwaters. The villas are named after popular local flower
plants / trees and birds. The first villa designed by Swiss architect
Karl Damscen is an open plan affair. The other villas designed by Thomas
Dominic from Kochi, have a separate living room, bedroom and ‘sit-out’. |
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The villas are filled with antiques, including
some beautifully carved and crafted doors and windows, which were
meticulously collected over a period of time. There is no
air-conditioning, no telephone and no TV in any of the villas. TV and
telephones are available at our residence, should the need arise. There
is a refrigerator and an electric kettle in each room. The villas are
well furnished with two large single beds, wardrobe, cupboard, writing
table, and chair, settees and chairs in the ‘sit-out’. Not to forget the
clean, dry and spacious modern bathroom in each villa. Extra beds are
available if needed, and there is also a generator to backup the
electricity in case of any power failure. All windows are netted to
check the entry of insects. |
| There are plenty of doors and windows in each villa
(18 windows and 8 doors) which open on to the farm, garden and
backwaters, allowing for excellent circulation of fresh breeze and
fascinating views from within. This is in keeping with the tradition of
typical backwater bungalows. The idea was to make each villa an integral
part of the surroundings so that by living in one you are not cut off.
The floor is finished in rustic clay tiles and the ceiling in wood.
There is also a small verandah finished in traditional red-oxide which
runs around each villa. To complement the villas, there is a beautiful
thatched pavilion on stilts, overlooking the farm with views of the
backwaters. The pavilion opens on to a small, neat courtyard under an
old mango tree. Just the kind of setting for the lavish home cooked
meals and interaction. In designing the villas, we kept in mind all the
traditional features, and also the fact that we were designing a house
and not a ‘hotel’ room. |
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Food is definitely one of the highlights of staying
at Philipkuttys farm. The cuisine is mostly local and cooked by my
skilful mother. Being a traditional agrarian household, lavish meals are
more or less the norm and pretty much a way of life. All meals are
included in the price. Meals are served either in the family dining room
or outdoors in the courtyard or in the pavilion itself. Self catering
facilities are minimal, with only an electric kettle and refrigerated
mini-bar. The whole family, or, atleast some of us will definitely join
with you for all the meals. We are glad to cater for any special diets
if needed and also provide for vegetarian options too. In fact all meals
are discussed with the guests. We also cater for lunch parties for non
resident guests but only on a prior arrangement basis. We also offer
cooking classes for resident guests who are interested in learning the
local cuisine. The cuisine is predominantly Syrian Christian with a
strong backwater influence. Most of the dishes served are centred around
fish, farm vegetables and fruits, duck, chicken and occasionally other
meats, supplemented with rice and rice based local breads like appam,
string hoppers etc. Some of our specialities are karimeen (pearlspot
fish) fry, fish molee, prawn and scampi preparations, duck roast and
curry, and red hot Kerala fish curry to name a few. For the adventurous,
drinking Toddy (it is the fermented sap of the coconut tree- a kind of
country liquor) is a must. Desserts are usually puddings, fresh fruits
and some local treats. |
| Though India is famous for Ayurveda, it is Kerala
that is in the forefront. Ayurveda today is almost synonymous with
Kerala. Kerala has a special type of Ayurvedic treatment. Though the
texts of lessons studied are the same, the system of treatment is
entirely different and far more effective as well. These special Kerala
treatments include Pizhichil (oil bath), Ilakizhi (leaf bundle massage),
Navarakizhi (rice bundle massage) etc. which are widely and effectively
used in the treatment of illnesses such as arthritis, paralysis, spinal
problems, back pain, gastric ulcers, etc. Or, you could also choose to
have only rejuvenating massages for general well being. Hence you could
use the opportunity of staying at our property to enjoy the benefits of
Ayurveda. There is an Ayurvedic centre just across the property on the
mainland. The centre has a qualified doctor and trained hands to help
out. The centre is a small and simple place and does not have the
trappings of a spa or resort. Though the centre is basic, appropriate
facilities and an authentic treatment is assured. The centre can be
reached in 10 minutes from the property by taking the ferry. This will
be provided at no additional cost. |
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| Tariff |
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Season Rates
October 1st 2011 to May 31st 2012
Rs 11500 for villa double
Rs 10500 for villa single
Peak Season Rates December 21st 2011 to January
10th 2012
Rs 14000 for villa double
Rs 13000 for villa single
MonsoonRates June 1st 2012 to Sept 30th 2012
Rs 9500 for villa double
Rs 8500 for villa single
Extra persons
Child upto 5 yrs Free
Child 6yrs to 12 yrs Rs 3500
Above 12 yrs Rs 4000
All rates are AP AI . Also includes all meals, sunset cruise on a
country boat, tea coffee and farm tour.
Does not include cost of beverages and other services out side the farm. |
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