Full view
View all photos (48)48
Room & Suite (10)
Dining (3)
About
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
B A S A, or "BABLI SHANTI ALAYA", is the Guest-House within B.A.B.L.I [Bureau for Agro-Based/ Linked Industries].BABLI is a rural-action project in interior Birbhum, near Shantiniketan (13 Kms), under the jurisdiction of Illambazar Police Station, in West Bengal, India.We also have a GUEST-HOUSE - where like-minded people, who want to spend a few days in a rural setting, away from the din of city life, can rent cottages of various types and tariffs.However, we are NOT a 'resort'/'eco-tourism centre' - the whole project is LITERALLY wild and UN-MANICURED. At the project, we explore various unconventional farming methods, aimed at rejuvenating the agriculture of the region and countering the process of rapid urbanisation by trying to support the rural culture and livelihood. Our work also aims at rejuvenating the fast-depleting forest cover of the adjoining areas, and conserving the threatened flora and fauna of the region.
Read more
Property amenities
Restaurant
Room types
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Location
Full view
28Reviews3Q+A13Room tips
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 14
- 8
- 4
- 1
- 1
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Beautifully maintained property. Calm, peaceful, basic, yet refreshingly lovely. Excellent food prepared fresh. It is next door to the ceramic factory and a short drive to Shantiniketan. Ideal place to relax from the hustle-bustle of the city.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2012
Helpful
One of the highlights of my visit to India was staying three nights at BABLI during the Winter fair. While there, we visited Tagore's experimental university, threshed rice with the local villagers, relished a chicken roasted on the fire and a walk in the woods. We learned a great deal from the teacher and BABLI's head, Mr. Shen. Although he did not sing Leonard Cohen for us, he taught us about organic alternatives to pesticides, his vision for working with dance, remedies for excema, art. The food was excellent. The rooms were exquisite and built with a vision to preserve the knowledge of adhivasi architecture (I especially liked the stained glass and mud murals on the walls of the "mud" hut). A brilliant mosquito net system, delicious well water and vasaka made our stay a…
Read more
Date of stay: December 2012
Helpful
3 days in Dec’12 @ B.A.B.L.I is the best thing happened with me in 2012, A true Rural Experience of Southern Part of West Bengal, ... No Television, No Newspaper for those 3 days just like breaking away from the modern world. While the entire experience is a novel one but still would like to mention few individuals like Sahadev Babu (aka “Maa” of B.A.B.L.I), Pradeep the ever smiling boy and finally Aaditto Babu (Commander-in-Chief) for their tireless en-devour of making our stay the most beautiful one, special mention on food which was simple in nature but too good in taste, Planning to return during 2013 monsoon for another stint to experience the flora & fauna
Read more
Date of stay: December 2012
Helpful
We have stayed at Babli from 27/07/2012 to 29/07/2012. I liked its ambience and rural nature of stay. Who intend to visit Babli should not expect the comfort of AC or multi cuisine restaurant. In spite of that try to feel the flora, fauna, sounds of the nature, which you will get plenty. Rooms are good and clean. Mud houses are excellently maintained and good to get a new experience. Road conditions to reach here are mostly very good. Try to avoid Panagarh, rather take the diversion to the right from the "Renaissance" hotel after Shaktigarh. But in absence of Sahadebda, the in-charge of the kitchen, some one better than the present cook may be replaced. Overall it is very good experience to stay here. You can reach Babli from Bolpur Railway Station by car, it is only 12 kms.…
Read more
Date of stay: July 2012
Helpful
+1
BABLI was recommended to us by a variety of friends who had gone and stayed there. The word 'unique' and 'basic' kept recurring in these conversations. They pointed out that BABLI was not your run-of-the-mill hotel or resort. Built on an ethos of economic self-reliance and ecological sustainability, this farm-stay expects its guests to understand and respect these principles. And with good reason. Right from the wholesome Bengali meals that they serve, to the set of instructions posted in every room, BABLI shuns the 'will bend over backwards for guests' over-placating attitude of hotels and resorts, and tells you to respect Nature. There are frogs, rats and snakes. And BABLI is no petting zoo. Here are the good things: - No TV (huge huge huge mega blessing) - The menu does…
Read more
Date of stay: December 2011
Helpful
LOCATION
IndiaWest BengalBardhaman DistrictIlam Bazar
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Listing