Vini’s Farm – Stay in a private island in Munroe Island, South Kerala
We all have watched movies where the main lead/s got stuck on a deserted island that is way too stunning and picturesque. And we all have dreamt of living on one such secluded island in the lap of nature. Well, what if we tell you we have found one such small island that could tick all your boxes in the scenic backwaters of Kerala in India? Exciting, huh?
If you have read our blog on Munroe Island, you might be well aware that it is a cluster of small islets located at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River in Kollam District, South Kerala. One of these islets is a tiny little island that houses a beautiful homestay named Vini’s Farm. With a luxurious wooden cottage on stilts, Vini’s Farm is like an escape of your dreams. Apart from seclusion, the homestay is a perfect romantic escapade for couples who can have the entire island to themselves. The cherry on the cake is that it comes with a cook/ butler (who is not at all nosy)!
How to reach Vini’s Farm, South Kerala:
Once you book your stay with Vini’s Farm, the manager will give you a call and help you with directions. You will have to park your vehicle at a private and safe designated spot as instructed by the manager, from where you will be escorted to the island in a speed boat. The parking is in a village named Sinkarapally, which is on the mainland, but anyhow the manager at Vini’s Farm will send you the GPS location as to where to park your vehicle. The speed boat ride to the homestay lasts for some 10-12 minutes.
Dotted with swaying palm trees, the island housing Vini’s Farm is surrounded by serene backwaters that open up to the pretty Ashtamudi Lake right in the front. We were served a flavoursome welcome drink on arrival and were shown around the island by the manager. It isn’t too big, and you can walk around its periphery in less than 10 minutes. The island housing Vini’s Farm homestay has a wooden plush cottage built on a high stilt having 2 rooms. A charming canopied walkway led us to the cottage.
Note - While they have 2 rooms, if one is booked, they do not take bookings for the other one to ensure the guests have complete privacy. If you are a bigger family, you can ofcourse book both rooms.
Our room came with an attached bathroom and a balcony. The spacious room was adorned with a king-sized bed, side tables, a sofa, a centre table, a bean bag, a wardrobe, and a luggage rack. The room was equipped with modern amenities like an air-conditioner, refrigerator, tea/ coffee maker, and running hot/ cold water. No television is a huge plus!
A floor-to-ceiling glass door on one side of the cottage at Vini’s Farm opened up to a big balcony facing Ashtamudi Lake. The balcony had a comfortable sit-out where we spent most of our time reading, relaxing, watching the fishermen sailing the local boat, and the eagles looking for a catch.
We got an uninterrupted view of the lake right from the comfort of the bed. Even the shower area in the bathroom overlooked the serene lake and surroundings. Every nook and corner of the wooden cottage at Vini’s Farm is minimalistically done in tandem with nature yet spells luxury.
Apart from the wooden cottage and the dining space, the island housing Vini’s Farm is dotted with beautiful gardens and flowering plants, with comfortable hammocks and cosy sit-outs inviting you every now and then. Organic farming is carried in and around the island, and fresh produce is used in preparing meals. Having a personal chef to ourselves was a big plus. He curated personalised meals for us depending on our choice and tastes.
The manager at Vini’s Farm went beyond the lengths to set up a candlelight dinner for us on the small terrace above the kitchen. He thoughtfully placed a music system to play music of our choice. The food was incredibly delicious ans Dining under the sparkling fairy lights and the brightly shining stars with slow romantic music playing in the backdrop was undoubtedly the highlight of our stay at Vini’s Farm, Kerala.
There are many things to do and activities to participate in while staying at Vini’s Farm in Munroe Island. In the evening, we chose to explore the backwaters in a country boat sailed with a log by a boatsman. We navigated through the stunning countryside into the thick mangroves and witnessed the daily activities of the people of Munroe Island. After passing through several inter-connected narrow canals, we sailed out in the vast Ashtamudi Lake, where we saw the sun setting in the backwaters through a natural mangrove arch bridge.
Even if you don't opt for a sunset cruise while staying at Vini's Farm, you can view the sunset from the property itself. The constant change of colours in the sky during the blue hour is phenomenal.
Our mornings at Vini’s Farm were spent kayaking through the canals and the Ashtamudi Lake, followed by swimming in the backwaters. Mind you, the lake’s quite deep, and you have to be an experienced swimmer to wade through the water. Wearing the life jacket was compulsory while performing any activity, be it canal cruising or kayaking. We even wore it during swimming. There are also a few indoor and outdoor games that you can enjoy playing.
Vini’s Farm is a heaven for bird watchers / photographers as it offers ample opportunities for spotting kingfishers, egrets, cormorants, herons, crows, eagles, and many more bird species. You can even learn to catch a fish with the experienced manager’s help using the hook provided by the property. And if you are lucky to get your hands on a good catch, they will even cook it for you.
Vini’s Farm operates with the professionalism of a hotel and with the warmth and personalised hospitality of a homestay. All in all, it has all the right elements of a perfect romantic getaway. We had all the freedom to move around the island by ourselves. However, the staff was always just a call away. The property is ideal for writers, artists, honeymooners, couples, or anyone looking for privacy, peace, seclusion, and a quiet time.
Vini's Farm also has a few tents that can be laid out in their huge grounds for an economic stay for budgeted travellers and groups. The part of the ground for tents comes with a common washroom and is adequately separated through a narrow canal from the wooden cottage area to offer privacy to everyone.
So whether you are a solo traveller or honeymooner, family or group of friends looking to chill, Vini’s Farm has all the options to suit your needs. Own an entire island for a day and live your fantasy. You can visit their website to know their latest tariffs and booking details. You can also book them by clicking on one of the travel portals mentioned below.
As you would expect, the upkeep of the island is little difficult. The water levels sometimes rise encroaching the island boundaries and maintenance can be challenging. Yet Vini's farm does a good enough job to bring the place to life and provide you as much comfort as possible. It is hence a unique experience to cherish if it fits your budget. If you have any questions or doubts regarding your stay/ booking at Vini's Farm, Kerala, then do let us know in the comments section below.
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