During my recent visit to Nainital, the highlight of my trip was the traditional Kumaoni home-cooked meal prepared by the local chef of the estate. For me, it was a home away from home. Tucked away in the greenery of oak forests, accompanied by stunning views of the Himalayas and the quiet of nature, the property allowed me to relive the classic old-world charm.
Increasingly in modern times, travellers are looking for accommodations and experiences that enable them to connect with the local culture and traditions. Living in the post-COVID world, where there has been a significant surge in the appetite for travel, homestays have emerged as a favoured option.
The calm settings, spacious rooms with balconies or lawns, personalised service, and of course, the thrill to immerse yourself in the local way of life, make for a more exciting option than traditional hotels. While planning a trip to Dharamshala, Saahil, a solo traveller, from Mumbai, opted to stay at a quaint homestay. “I was always fascinated by the thought of staying in someone else’s home rather than a hotel, making friends in a faraway place and experiencing the place just like the locals do,” he said.
Remember the iconic rom-com ‘The Holiday’, where Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet swap homes with each other to take a break from their mundane lives? Back then, it felt pretty much like a fantasy, but today the Indian hospitality industry has been exponentially expanding the business of homestays, especially in regions close to the mountains—making this dream come true.
“I remember staying in a cosy cottage in Mussorie, which gave me a magical view, healthy yoga sessions in the morning, poetry sessions by the bonfires at night and a fully functioning kitchen I could cook in,” recalls Priyanshi Agarwal, A Delhi-based homemaker, who visited the queen of hills for her school alumni meet.
With the little time that we all squeeze into our lives for travel, we must make the most of it and a homestay lets you do that. With more than just a place to rest one’s head, it provides an array of activities that will enrich your soul and will want you to never leave. From bird-watching, long walks in mountain trails, hiking, and stargazing at night, to shopping locally sourced vegetables and spices to cook a fine meal, and cosying up to a warm cup of traditional tea while you adore the idyllic views—a homestay cooks up the perfect medley for people who want to be a traveller rather than a tourist.
There are homes where you can learn pottery, dive into a rich culinary palette, take your pets along, and homes where you can do nothing and take in the views of the majestic mountains. There is something for everyone. “We never travel without our dogs, and it is quite difficult to find a place which is pet-friendly, especially in the mountains, so we always prefer to book a homestay, because it offers a multitude of facilities for pets, including their food and other fun activities,” explains Mrs. Khanna, who is a social worker and an animal activist.
Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh are the most popular destinations where travellers like to opt for homestays, particularly when the snowfall graces the landscapes. Today, homestays present an alluring choice to travellers, with comfortable rooms, views that are a treat to sore eyes, and meals and conversations that are cherished for a lifetime.
