Into the Roots Farm Stay

I had an exceptional stay at Into the Roots Farm Stay in Vettampara (Kothamangalam). With five years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry and having visited numerous properties across India, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter international-level quality right in my hometown. The property is impeccably maintained and beautifully constructed, with a well-trained staff. A stream flowing through the center of the property adds to the serene ambiance. From the General Manager, Jyoti, to the housekeeping staff, everyone was courteous and welcoming. This is not merely an animal farm but a fruit farm featuring a variety of fruits and Ayurvedic trees. The food was outstanding, and I was delighted to learn from the Property Manager, Jomi, that they do not use a refrigerator on-site. It was heartening to see such dedication to sustainable tourism right in our own community.

After arriving late at night, it was a treat to wake up to lush gardens, terraced hills and the sounds of nature. The grounds are charming, with a combination of 150 year old converted farmhouses and more modern, but sensitively built cottages. We booked a one bedroom cottage which was immaculately clean and tastefully decorated with stylish furniture. We particularly enjoyed sitting on the chairs and swing watching the wildlife in the sunshine. The restaurant was fantastic and overlooks the farm. We were the only ones staying so we really felt like VIPs. Both breakfast and dinner were fresh and very generous. We were treated to traditional goan dishes and the chef took the time to talk us through the ingredients he’d proudly used. You won’t leave hungry! We only had one full day for activities, so Jhoty, the incredibly organised hotel manager, scheduled a personal tour of the local eco park, which was beautiful. In addition, she organised all of our taxis and took care of everything to make our stay relaxing. To make the most of your time, plan on some early starts to explore all that’s on offer in the area! The star of the show was Binil, who was always smiling. He invited us on a walk to his favourite sunset spot and was a lovely guy to spend time with. When we returned, he’d prepared homemade lemonade for us which was ready and waiting and later, brought us tea and biscuits, which was very thoughtful! Highly recommended for couples, families, solo travellers, groups and nature lovers looking for peace, tranquility and wildlife on your doorstep!