Col. Roy’s ancestral home – Varikkat is a very beautiful home stay in Trivandrum. I was pleasantly surprised to find this wonderful place bang next to the busy secretariat. This resembles a ‘Tharavad’ house as they call in Malayalam and has a nice courtyard. Rooms are neatly maintained and it has its olden charm. Wooden chairs, sofas and the bed... More

We got a really great deal for staying 3 nights at the Varikatt in a suite, it was the end of our holiday and we were looking forward to it. A few days before we arrived I checked my emails and had received an email from the owner that he had double booked our room for the last night (notification... More

This place was rated as "Top choice" in Lonely Planet, which pushed me to choose it for a two nights stay or so in Trivandrum with my wife and 3 y. old daughter. The rate was very expensive but I thought at least we would have a nice room and service. Well, so called suite was ok, BUT, service was... More

The Varikatt Heritage was a good stop for the first night in Kerala. Always good to have somewhere that isn't too hectic and well-placed once you've just just landed. Rooms are a good size, clean, the showers work well and they're air conditioned. Food is also good. If you fancy stepping out to eat, can recommend Arun Jyothi which is... More

We stayed here in November 2010. We arrived in the pouring rain. The Col was most welcoming and had a meal ready for us very quickly. He delighted us with.his stories about his time with the Ghurkas. He also, took us on a tour of the market at 7 in the morning! The homestay itself was very colonial with beautiful... More

We stayed here for 3 days. The place is beautiful with old world, warm charm and the rooms well furnished and neat. However, we found the food cost too high and inconvenient as we had to inform him much ahead (in the morning itself) if we wanted anything. The servings were pretty meagre. Hence, we had no option but to... More

Our room was spacious and comfortable. Our host was gracious and accommodating. Our dinner and discussion was delicious and memorable. We loved learned about Roy's experiences as a Gurka colonel. Shopping at the local market with Roy was a treat. The home is centrally located so it's easy to get a taxi or walk to many sights.

Both Colonel Roy and the house should be classified as National Treasures. He is a perfect host, with sound advice about the town, about what to see and where to go. His conversation was a delight and very informative. The house itself is a sweet early nineteenth century oasis of calm with a lovely small garden in which our host... More

Col.Roy was a charming host in a charming house, was friendly, knowledgeable and took us to buy our supper at the local market and drove me to the local cashpoint before our early start. A perfect place to land/depart Kerala.