We were staying for just three nights at the Green Woods, everything was perfect: the breakfast at the jungle roof terrace, the clean and comfortable room and, of course, the lovely Sheeba and family. We would come back anytime!

I recently paid my third visit to Sheeba and Ashley and was reminded why I had loved this homestay so much on my previous visits. I have been travelling in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America for 25 years. I have stayed in every kind of accomodation from 5 star palace to cockroach infested sweat box and everything between. I can honestly say that Green Woods Bethlehem is the best place, of any kind, in which I have stayed, by a considerable margin. I must say that I am astonished to see negative reviews. I cannot imagine how anyone can stay there without falling in love with the place. I can only assume that these are people who (as one of them even admits) chose the wrong kind of accomodation for their own preferences. In which case their reviews are neither fair nor helpful. I would say to anyone who is considering staying there that if superficial luxuries like marble lobbies and glacial air con units are important to you, go elsewhere - possibly to a large international hotel. But if you want the GENUINE luxury of staying in a serene little oasis of greenery being cared for more tirelessly and comprehensively than you will ever be in an ordinary hotel, then please - treat yourself to a stay at Green Woods Bethlehem. You will not regret it.

Having stayed in nine different places during just over two weeks in Kerala (some of which were 11 times the price of Green Woods) this is the only one to which I would enthusiastically return. We had a twin room with breakfast for 1000 rupees - the equivalent of £12.50 a night. Breakfast was delicious - we had pancakes filled with a misture including coconut and jaggery, banana pancakes and fresh pineapple (plus bread) on one day, and this changed the next day, to include dhal, banana fritters and more. When supplies ran low, more was freshly cooked and brought up to the roof terrace. There was a flask of tea on the roof terrace all day and this area provieds a great space to chill, read, and chat with other guests. Yes, there is noise from the birds in the trees, but that is part of the charm of the place, Ashley and Sheba were delightful. They and their team told us, unprompted, about activities going on in the town we would otherwise have missed, and with no possible link to commission - a motivation we saw again and again elsewhere. This ensured, for example, that we saw the elephant festival at the temple and the dancing that went with it. These people care about what they offer, and their welcome is genuine. The bathroom we had (room 4) was plenty big enough and there were mosquito nets at all the windows so there was no risk of the mossies getting in that way! The walk from the main part of Fort Cochin is not far, and there are shops very close by. I recommend this place enthusiastically.

The owner Sheba was the nicest person I met whilst in India. She was so lovely and helpful and recommended places to eat and things to do. She even lent us money when we needed change for the rickshaw and when we tried to give her a big tip when we left she refused and said we worked hard for our money and so should make sure that we enjoy it! Location wise it's about a 10 min walk into the main shop/ restaurant area. The walk is fine during the day but would get a rickshaw at night (only costs about 30 rupees). There are always rickshaws available around the main shopping/ restaurant area to take you home, if you want a rickshaw to pick you up from the home stay itself, Sheba has a preferred rickshaw driver that she will call for you. Room wise - the rooms were a little small but cosy and very clean. There was no air con but there was a fan. My boyfriend thought that the beds were a little bit firm but I thought that they were fine. The water was luke warm but with how hot the weather is was fine! The breakfast is basic but in a beautiful setting on the roof. We really enjoyed our stay here and would highly recommend it