Nayana's Homestay

121 reviews

#1 of 29 B&Bs / Inns in Santiniketan

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Chota Kothi, Uttarpally Phooldanga, Santiniketan 723135 India

COVID-19 update: See the added health and safety measures this property is taking.Read more

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Guests1 room, 2 adults, 0 children

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Traveller (96)

Dining (20)

Room & Suite (5)

Travel safe during COVID-19

What you can expect during your stay

All linens sanitised in high-temperature wash
Hand sanitiser available to guests & staff
Stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Staff required to regularly wash hands
Daily temperature and symptom checks for staff

Updated 17/08/20 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.

A note from Nayana's Homestay

About

5.0

Excellent

121 reviews

#1 of 29 B&Bs / Inns in Santiniketan

Location

Cleanliness

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Value

NAYANA'S HOMESTAY A home away from home. Walk, cycle, photograph crumbling terracotta temples, wander through tribal villages, enjoy Tagore's University or just slumber in a quiet corner of 'CHOTA KOTHI'. A cosy environment for like-minded guests where the hosts are always present and involved with the day to day cooking, cleaning and other activities of their house. An unpretentious, friendly atmosphere with energetic evening 'addas'. A 'Homestay' in the true sense of the word. *2 Rooms - sleeping 5 adults. Tariff (Rs. 4500/4000) Includes Breakfast & Dinner, Tea/coffee & mineral water. *Rooms One Room air-conditioned.

Property amenities

Free parking

Wifi

Free breakfast

Patio

Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )

Taxi service

Rooftop terrace

Outdoor furniture

Paid wifi

Complimentary instant cofffee

Complimentary tea

Shared lounge / TV area

Umbrella

Private check-in / check-out

Room features

Clothes rack

Private bathrooms

Oven

Electric kettle

Kitchenware

Bath / shower

Room types

Non-smoking rooms

Family rooms

Good to know

Languages Spoken

English, Hindi

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MLShie wrote a review Today

4 contributions

Day trips to Murshidabad, Bishnapur, etc. available

I live in Kolkata, and Nayana's Homestay is now my secret escape. In addition to all of the wonderful things other reviewers have said about Nayana's masterful hosting, I would add that she can also arrange bespoke trips to Murshidabad, Bishnapur, and craft villages outside of Shanti Niketan. She is a consummate hostess, sparklingly entertaining and generous. I will keep going back!

Date of stay: February 2021

Location

Service

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Sanjay_GT wrote a review Mar 2021

Kolkata, India137 contributions85 helpful votes

Discover the "Shanti"-niketan within Shantiniketan

Absolutely elegant and gorgeous. We just returned from a delightful stay with Nayana and Maku at Nayana's Homestay. In the heart of Shantiniketan, a 3-minutes from Shonajuri'r haat - this is where you should be. It is actually difficult to describe Nayana's home (and not a house) in a few words - but if I may, you'd be blown away to discover the level of minuteness and care that the owner has poured into her home, to make it an absolutely refreshing place to stay. Full of antiques, terracotta and some really grand furniture - this place itself deserves to be called a destination. If you are a future visitor, you have a choice from either of two large, fully furnished bedrooms - each with attached baths. Maku, her caretaker, would take care of all your needs. While breakfast is included, you have an option of ordering food through Nayana from a nearby shop called Borgi. I ordered dinners for both my nights and I would strongly recommend you do. The food was really delicious and the Kashmiri mutton that came along with the Mutton thali was absolutely brilliant. Do try ! Noyona & Maku would make all efforts to make your visit memorable. The house is located on huge land (over a bigha) and has a huge garden in front, full of mango, coconut and other trees. The entire setup keeps the surrounding very cool and breezy. Do make a visit upstairs - it has 3 separate balconies - very intelligently constructed. If you like heritage, I think you'd enjoy your evening chats with Nayana, who could give you snippets from the old Shantiniketan and the Tagore family (I forgot to mention that Nayana is herself from the illustrious Tagore family itself). Details on that - I leave it to you to discover :-) But otherwise, you'd find yourself surrounded with books of all variety, antiques of all sorts - collected from all over the world, and some delightful paintings. And talking of paintings, one of them actually has a hidden switch at the back (yes! - just like those Dev Anand movies of the 60s). Pro tips: (1) Maku is a gem. Her sense of embroidery would amaze you. Her creations have a lot of takers even from the international market. (2) Do not forget to taste the wonderful micro-cookies that Nayana has. They are really different.…

Date of stay: March 2021

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Response from nayana gangooly, Owner at Nayana's Homestay

Responded 30 Mar 2021

Thank you so very much for your very kind words. I'm always very nervous to host guests during Basanta Utsav ( so much can go wrong) but you all were an absolute delight. Wish we had more time to sit and " adda". Next time. Please do visit again soon and I may just cook...:)

ShrutiParija wrote a review Mar 2021

Mumbai, India33 contributions12 helpful votes

A slice of heaven on earth

I spent the past week in this rustic town in a beautiful homestay run by the multifaceted Nayana, a 6th generation Tagorean. Between jobs is a good time for reflecting and realigning with self. This was the second time I stayed with Nayana in Santiniketan. I had family accompanying me for the first two days, and I stayed on solo for the next 5 days. Attention to detail is truly her strong suit, and she made sure we were well taken care of. She organized a day out for us with Nobi Da, her trusted Toto driver specifying pitstops which would appeal to all of us - we soaked in the historic houses within the university precincts, visited Amar Kutir and picked up handlooms and hand crafted curios, and visited the Sanibaarer Haat which my mother in law fell in love with. Maku Didi, Nayana's well trained and affectionate house help, made us home cooked breakfasts every single day(poori chola, Spanish omelettes) and ensured we had tea and coffee when required. Once my folks left, Nayana and I spent time traversing the dusty bylanes of this beautiful town, exploring the temples and ruins of Birbhum district(as a specially curated tour), meeting with artists and potters(friends of Nayana), alums of Kala Bhavan who have made Santiniketan a home away from home. It was wonderful to meet the well known artist duo, Rashmi and Kingshuk Sarkar, and Lipi, the owner of Lipi's pottery studio. I also found my way to Subarnarekha, a book store which sells old and new books, and found a few gems. Nayana treated me to Bellada's melt in the mouth butter cookies, which I purchased by the dozen. She also made me a wonderful dalia khichdi with accompaniments(including chuna mach) for lunch, and a delicious pasta with ham for dinner during my stay. Most afternoons, I ordered home cooked non veg meals from Borgi Da. Nayana is twice my age and yet we connect like two peas in a pod. Languid mornings and afternoons spent reading and writing in her beautiful, aesthetically done up property really helped calm down my nerves. There are about 25+ bird species to be found on her campus, filled with trees and greenery. We went up to the terrace post dinner most evenings and spent time under the moonlit and starlit skies. Nayana is a great conversationalist, and a wonderful host. She is great with textiles and supports multiple causes of social impact. She is perceptive and lets you have your space. She is now opening her homestay for month long workcations from April - September, and I intend to go back during the monsoons. Her property now has very easy wifi, and I would absolutely recommend it for short and long term stays. I have attached a few pictures from my lovely stay in Santiniketan. …

Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Travelled solo

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Response from nayana gangooly, Owner at Nayana's Homestay

Responded 25 Mar 2021

Dear Shruti , it was such a pleasure to host you again after all these years and meet your lovely husband. Thank you very much for your amazing support and encouragement. Wishing you the best for all your new projects and hoping to see you back at Nayana"s Homestay soon.

Mitul S wrote a review Mar 2021

Kolkata, India28 contributions13 helpful votes

Homestay with a difference

These days, "homestay" is a much-abused word in these parts of India. For a property tagged as a homestay, one didn't quite know what to expect -- an aspiring hotel or a toned down resort. Nayana's Homestay restored one's faith in that word. The "Chhota Kothhi" is a homestay in the truest sense of the word: you feel as if you are part of Nayana's household. The bungalow itself is beautiful, a lived-in and organic space reflecting the owner's eclectic taste. Both the bungalow and its owner could make you feel at home immediately. Nayana is a wonderful host and an excellent conversationalist, ever ready to chat on any and all subjects under the sun. She knows the area very well and can guide you on all things Shantiniketan, from sourcing a "khesh" cushion or a rare book to the best restaurants around. The homestay's ecosystem also includes Ronnie, the friendly pet, Maku, who could rustle up a mean spanish omlette, and Nobi, a Shantiniketan old hand whose toto you can depend on, night or day. The location of Chhota Kothhi is very convenient: Sonajhuri haat is a stone's throw away, and the Biswabharati campus an 8-min toto ride away. We spent a very relaxing and delightful couple of days at Nayana's homestay, browsing through her large book collection, listening to her stories, and birdwatching in her large garden. We would love to go back again -- I think there are more nooks to discover in that wonderful homestay.…

Date of stay: March 2021

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Response from nayana gangooly, Owner at Nayana's Homestay

Responded 23 Mar 2021

Many thanks for your very kind words. It was wonderful meeting you and Dhiman. I oft find it difficult to explain what a HOMESTAY actually means and about " Nayana"s Homestay " in particular. Thanks much for highlighting this for future guests. As I like to believe, people come as guests and leave as friends and this is certainly the case with you. Hope to see you back here soon.

htglen wrote a review Mar 2021

calcutta6 contributions1 helpful vote

Some much more than you would expect to find!

5 days with Nayana, in her beautiful Shanti Niketan world, stirred my soul. Her hospitality and the warm, welcoming environment she nurtures at her homestay - including her eclectic team of Maku- her efficient housekeeper, Ronnie - her resident four-legged beast, Nobi - her toto-man and Shibu - her driver and fellow explorer - along with time spent with members of her local community of artists and artisans - friends like family - transported me to a new dimension. I fell asleep each night before my head even touched my pillow, with each day packed with new experiences and great conversations. If you are searching for a place to explore Shanti Niketan slightly deeper, then base yourself at Nayana’s Homestay - and take her recommendations for where to eat, what to see, and how to go about it. Her rates are supreme value for money, every meal (home-cooked and ordered in) was a triumph and the location perfect as a base to explore Bolpur, Birbhum and even Bishnupur or Murshidabad for day trips or on foot as she is walking distance from so many interesting places too. My room was spacious and comfortable, with clean linen and a large double bed that could easily sleep 3. I had a clean bathroom and hot water. The common areas are strewn with fascinating items she has collected on her travels, her bookshelves are teeming with delicious books, and her walls full of interesting art. I loved the fact that there was great cross ventilation with a spring breeze always wafting through the house, golden sunlight streaming through the windows and birds chirping in the trees. I was pre-warned about the mosquitoes, and didn’t get bitten even once as I used repellent and there were mosquito coils and plug-ins to chase them away - they seemed like friendly country mozzies though, and not the nasty city ones! I can’t wait to return and can’t recommend this delightful homestay highly enough.…

Date of stay: February 2021

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Response from nayana gangooly, Owner at Nayana's Homestay

Responded 3 Mar 2021

It was such a pleasure to have you visit and to introduce you to this part of Bengal. It was an absolute treat to watch you imbibe the experience with wonder and appreciation. I'm truly grateful for your incredibly kind words and generosity and most of all, your generosity of spirit. Everyone who met you here was touched by you and your positive and appreciative nature. Please visit again. Soon.

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