Aerial view of Ameya: tiled cottages and pavilions in a palm garden on the shore of Vembanad LakeThe salt water pool among coconut palms at the edge of the lakeA boatman paddling a country boat past Ameya on the backwaters

Ameya, a boutique lakeside retreat on Vembanad Lake, Kerala

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स्वागतम्(Svāgatam — welcome)

Ameya is not a hotel. It is a house on the quiet shore of Vembanad Lake, with four cottages set in two acres of tropical garden. There is no lobby and no crowd. There is space, there is time, and there is the lake.

4
cottages, and never more guests than that
2
acres of garden between you and the world
100%
solar and green energy, off the grid
Ameya from above: tiled cottages and pavilions in a palm garden, wrapped by the lake
गृहम्(Gṛham — the house)

Built like a Kerala home, kept like one.

Istvan and Véronique made Ameya with the Kerala architect Ramesh Tharakan: tiled roofs, carved teak doors, red oxide floors and deep verandahs that open to the breeze.

Around it, two acres of garden run down to Vembanad Lake: lawns and coconut palms, open pavilions for reading or a long lunch, and a salt water pool at the water's edge.

“Nothing here is loud. The house sits back and lets the place speak.”

The main house in late sun: tiled roofs and yellow walls above the lawn, a wooden canoe moored in the canal
A stone path winding through the garden past a thatched pavilion
Dusk over tiled roofs and palms, garden lamps lit along the path
A cottage bedroom with a carved wooden headboard and block-printed linen
A table for two on a tiled verandah, looking out to the garden
निवास(Nivāsa — where you stay)

Four cottages, each keeping its own quiet.

अनुभव(Anubhava — the experiences)

The days arrive slowly here.

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  1. Guests in a wooden country boat gliding along the backwater past village cottages

    Shikara through the village

    A slow country boat along narrow canals and village life.

  2. A guest reclining on a houseboat deck as the sun sets over the lake

    Sunset cruise to Kumarakom

    Out across Vembanad as the light turns gold.

  3. A guest meditating in a carved timber pavilion open to the garden

    Yoga shala

    Morning practice in the garden, to the sound of birds.

  4. The salt water pool among coconut palms at the edge of the lake

    Salt water pool

    At the edge of the lake, under the coconut palms.

  5. A guest receiving a warm oil Ayurvedic massage in the thatched spa

    Ayurvedic spa

    Abhyanga, shirodhara and gentler treatments, with an Ayurveda doctor on hand.

  6. Guests cycling along a garden path between the cottages

    Bicycles

    Borrow one and follow the village lanes wherever they go.

Or do none of it. Doing very little is also allowed.

अतिथिदेवो भव(Atithi devo bhava — the guest is god)
A member of the Ameya team setting a table with fresh juice and flowers on a pavilion by the lake

Looked after by the village, the old Kerala way.

Everyone who cares for you at Ameya is from Varanad, the village around us, with women at the heart of the team. They grew up on this lake, and they keep an old Sanskrit promise: atithi devo bhava, the guest is god.

So breakfast comes to wherever you are, a canoe is ready when the water is still, and the chef asks what you would like tonight. Warm, unhurried, and never in the way.

4.6 / 5 · 576 reviews

“Very private with only four rooms, amazing views… Our favourite place in Kerala.”

Suzy, via Tripadvisor

“We stayed in the Endless Suite, which was true to its name. The outlook onto the lake was magic.”

@travelmonsterSydney, via Instagram

“On the shore of the less developed side of Vembanad Lake, this place is a haven of tranquillity.”

Rosem, via Tripadvisor
Read more on Tripadvisor
मूल(Mūla — the root)

And all of it, rooted in Kerala.

  1. Sun-powered

    Ameya runs off-grid, making its own electricity from solar power.

  2. From the village

    Our team is from Varanad, trained here, with women at its heart.

  3. Grown close by

    Food comes from our organic garden, village families and local markets.

Karimeen, the pearl spot fish of the backwaters, fried Kerala style with green chilli, onion and lime
प्रश्न(Praśna — what guests ask)

Good to know.

  • a·MAY·ya. The name of the house. Space, time and quiet: the things you can't measure, and what we hope you leave with.

  • AA·nun·da. The cottage closest to the water. Its pavilion stands over the lake.

  • SHAAN·tee. The cottage of space and stillness, with a window seat and a pavilion of its own.

  • CHUN·dra. The highest room in the house, named for the moon. Its balcony has the widest view at Ameya.

  • ood·YAA·na. The cottage hidden in the garden, among palms, flame trees and birds.

यात्रा(Yātrā — the journey here)
Ameya from above: tiled roofs among palms, the garden ponds and the pool at the edge of the lake
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Driving times

  • 1 h 30Cochin Airport65 km
  • 1 h 15Fort Kochi45 km
  • 45 minAlleppey35 km

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