We stayed here as a family in December after a very long flight from the UK.
It was the perfect place to recharge our batteries before we embarked on our tour of Kerala.
The staff were lovely, very welcoming and attentive - and seemed to know exactly how to make our stay a fabulous experience.
Emerald Isle is a traditional Keralan Farmhouse that has remained in the family for hundreds of years. It has been beautifully adapted to turn it into a homestay but reataining all the authenticity. The gardens are gorgeous, overlooking the backwaters at the front and paddy fields at the back.
The island itself is so interesting to wander around and we al loved watching life on the backwaters and in the local community.
The staff at Emerald Isle really ensured our stay was memorable and we spent lots of time chatting with Sam and Vijoy during our stay with them The food was incredible and plentiful. The staff adapted the spicyness for the children without us requesting this.
Emerald Isle really is a very special place and one you definately should not miss.
We would recommend this without hesitation.

Thankyou

Cooke Family

The best way to arrive here is after an overnight stay, on a houseboat. We were dropped at the gated entrance to this heritage villa, where we were greeted by the attentive Sam. We had arrived early but preparations were immediately underway to make our room available.
The food is fabulous and as we were the only guests for lunch we made arrangements to enjoy our meal under shade in the exquisite garden. We drank beer, gorged ourselves on the ridiculously good food and chatted amiably with our host.
The rooms I understand are converted rice storage spaces. A 1000 acre rice paddy backs onto the property. There are a number of fish ponds through the extensive garden. The garden consists of the most exotic plants, mango, guava, cinnamon, coffee, pepper, nutmeg, vanilla … the list goes on and the guided tour is interesting and informative.
We enjoyed joining the other guests for an evening meal in the dining room inside. We were later invited to adjourn outside for some entertainment from two local folk performers. Frankincense was burnt to deter the mosquitoes and we sat up until relatively late drinking whiskey and chatting. It was most memorable and enjoyable.
The next morning Sam loaded most of us into the long boat and took us across to the opposite bank where our vehicles and drivers awaited us.
What a privilege, what an opportunity.

I can only echo what has been said in the other highly positive reviews of this place. It is all entirely true. The owners go out of their way to make it an unforgettable stay. Truly worthwhile place to visit, come rain or shine (we had rain and can only imagine how beautiful it would be in shine!). Food was exceptional, with discrete but attentive service. Can't recommend it highly enough.

The Jobs are a wonderful host. That is the least I can say. And that indeed is the biggest asset of the property.

Set across a canal, one has to go on a boat to this place and that is where your mesmerizing experience kicks off. There are a total of 5 rooms (of three different types) in all and we were lucky to be upgraded to the Cottage outside since we were the only people without kids (the owner thought it would be our own private space. We agreed ofcourse.).

The bath is an open roof area attached to the room and was a novelty in itself. Do remember requesting for any specific food item to the Jobs. They will make you something worth to remember from the trip.