John and Rani are charming, the accommodations quiet, spacious and homey, the food delicious and the surrounding area beautiful--their home is right on the backwaters of Cochin. Staying at Ayanat House was also a great way to learn the local history and the current state of affairs of Kerala as well as India since our hosts knowledgeably answered all of our many questions and made sure we got to see the surrounding villages (they have bicycles and a boat to loan you, which are great ways to get around). They made sure we got to participate in a celebration of St. Sabastian's Day at the local church, which was an extra treat. John comes from an influential family that has lived in the area since the second half of the 18th century so he has many tales to tell for history buffs. If you want to have a real Indian experience in luxurious and historical surrounds, don't miss Ayanat House.

My wife and I travel in Asia each winter and in all honesty I can say that of all places we have visited and all the hotels and guesthouses we have stayed in, Ayanat House has to be the best.
For comfort,excellent food,beautiful surroundings with the attention and kindness of Rani, Johnny and their staff you have to make sure you stay here when in Kerala.
Our only regret was in leaving this paradise it's the only place we've shed a tear when we had to say goodbye.

We spent three nights here at the end of our India trip, and Ayanat House was the perfect wind down after the bustle of touring. Previous reviewers have covered Ayanat House's very thoroughly, and its consistent five star rating is fully justified. To highlight a few of the qualities that make it special:-
It is a genuine family home and the Tharakan family have lived in this area for two hundred years.
Johnny and Rani are delightful, articulate and generous hosts. The experience they provide is very personal.
The Art Deco house is marvellous, with spacious bedrooms, and a sitting room/bar for guests as well verandas, and a lovely internal courtyard complete with resident sunbird in a nest.
The food is varied, consistently excellent and quite different from the fare we had on the rest of the trip. The menu is decided by Rani, who guarantees the variety and quality. It is cooked by Shivan who has worked for the family for fifty years.
The setting of the house is perfect, in a garden, within a plantation and set back from the lake where you can watch the sun setting. It is in a tourist free part of Kerala. The village is within strolling distance. Kochi and Alleppey are only an hour's drive away. So Ayanat House can be used either as a base for some modest touring or simply to soak in the beauty of the Keralan countryside and the traditions and slow rhythms of rural Kerala.
All this one hour away from Kochi's domestic and international airport! Build four nights at Ayanat House onto the end of an Indian holiday and go back relaxed.. Recommended without reservation..

If you are looking for a small experience of what is the INDIAN PARADISE, the only adress in the BackWaters area is certainly the AYANAT HOUSE Homestay.
Owners of this homestay, Johnny and Rani, are delightful people.
Everything was Perfect : Rooms, Food with a fantastic cooker, Garden, and that very peaceful area where you can have quiet time in an hamac with Backwaters view.
Unfortunatly , we stayed only one night on the way back to the airport but we really dream of coming back.