Having been here last year, we knew what to expect, and Hyancith surpassed those expectations. No major changes one year on, just excellent friendly service and marvellous food, and lots of pampering by our hostess. It was our wedding anniversary whilst we were there, and so this was an excuse for a trip out for lunch in Kannur for everyone, for an ayurvedic meal and for the local ice cream - faloda (sp?) which was delicious and not at all fattening (!)

Apart from Hyacinth, for whom nothing is too much trouble to arrange, the fellow guests here have always been interesting people too, with lots of knowledge about travelling in India. It's hard to get up from the breakfast / dinner table as there's so much to talk about.

Don't be in any doubt about staying at EBH - just go.

I mean - what a shame that Tripadvisor only allows me to give FIVE STARS. It should be possible to award more to those whose simple deserve it.

Ezhara Beach House is such a place. From the moment you receive an email from Hyacinth (the hostess with mostest), you just know you have chosen the right place to stay in North Kerala. But when you actually arrive and meet her, within moments you feel like you have known her for a long time and by the time you say goodbye, you know you have made a friend for life. How many other places have you stayed at where you can say that?

The house, which only has two rooms and a bathroom upstairs and the same downstairs, together with numerous indoor lobbies and comfy seating areas, is a piece of Indian heritage. It is about 100 years old and has been restored to retain its character by Hyacinth and George and has a unique rustic charm. The rooms are all at the back and have small windows, which means they are cool and with the fan provided, are a fantastic place to get a great nights sleep. Hot water is provided from the solar heated showers. Also the rooms come complete with plug in mosquito killers and sprays. Not that we found much evidence of the critters.

One of the nicest parts of the house is the balcony upstairs where there are lots of chairs and a full length bench. Up here you can while away the day or even better, watch the sun slipping down through the swaying palm trees, whilst sipping a bottle of ice cold Kingfish*r, I mean "Special Tea".

OK, enough about the house, it's time to move onto the food, or should I say banquet. Believe you me, you will put on weight here. The food is simply fantastic and there is so much of it. We ate as much as we humanly could. Not because we are greedy or because it was so sumptious, but ofcourse just to be polite :). Three huge meals a day - heaven. Nothing is too much trouble for Hyacinth. If you want a special meal, then it will be catered for. All of this coming from a vegetarian. I had the best food of our month long trip.

If you manage to rise from the dinner table, then there is vast stretch of deserted tropical beach right on your doorstep. Head to the right and it's doubtful you will see many other tourists on the sand. You will more than likely see that yours are the only footprints in the sand, as head back, watching the sea eagles glide overhead.. One liitle tip, if you do walk the beach, is to look out for the Shamen cave up in the rocks. It's an old cave filled with oil lamps and still worshipped at by locals. Ask Hyacinth for directions, it's easy to find.

Apart from the beach, Hyacinth can organise lots of excursions for you. She took us to the Fort in Kannur and got a guide to show us around, then she went shopping. The tour was great and the guide wouldn't accept any gratuities. But if you have any foreign coins (not just your own country), then they would add to his collection and be welcomed.

Apart from the Fort we visited the museum (not worth it - there isn't much to see), had lunch at the Wheat House and then she took us to an ice cream parlour for a superb ice cream sundae (never had blue ice cream before!!), before a tour of the local market.

The days at the beach house just fly by and even though we stayed a week, it wasn't long enough. Trust me, think of how long you want to stay, then double it!

Sat at the end of the garden with our hosts, Hyacinth and George, sipping on a chai, I ask what the men in the sea are doing, just 50 metres or so away. "Fishing for mussels" replies George, "do you want some for lunch?". An hour or two later we're sat eating the freshest green-lipped mussels I've ever had, in one of the greatest beach spots you could imagine.

If you're considering staying somewhere on this stretch of beach then book here now! We stayed at the Costa Malabari at the other end of the beach and we checked out all the guesthouses in between, and Ezhara Beach House is the best. The hosts are great characters and speak English as there first language. They strike the perfect balance between taking great care of you without being in your face.

Food is wonderful, and they'll ask you what you want. Fresh fish is readily available. Breakfasts are fantastic. Eggs, parotta, toast, masala, bananas, pineapple, oranges, fried banana, nutella, jam, chai, coffee, juice.

The beaches here are lovely, and there's a great terrace to enjoy the view. Hyacinth can arrange trips out to Theyyam, hand loom weavers, martial arts demonstrations. George took people out rafting and we played beach football/soccer with the local kids as the sun was setting.

Rooms are in a 100 year old house, decorated in traditional dark wood style, and while not exactly the Hilton they have charm. You won't be spending much time in your room anyway, as there're plenty of places to relax and enjoy, including hammocks tied between palm trees.

This was my favourite place to stay in Kerala, and I look forward to visiting again as soon as possible.

Despite many travels in India and elsewhere, I've never written a tripadvisor review before... but I could not resist the temptation after my wonderful stay at Ezhara beach house. I have never encountered such warmth, generosity and humor in a homestay/guesthouse before. Hyacinth and George are wonderful, as is the beach on which the homestay is situated.