The activities and schedule during our stay were arranged according to our requests, which made the three days very fulfilling and memorable. The sunrise cruise was not only to enjoy the backwater cruise, but also to see and understand local lifestyles, as they showed us around the farmland according to our interests and let us see and taste the local coconut brew. The food was really tasty and well arranged based on our requirements and the cooking class was enjoyable. We really enjoyed our packaged stay for three days. We appreciate the friendly staff for coordinating our wonderful stay package. We were fortunate enough to find Little Chembaka among the countless hotels in Alleppey.

Stayed in May 2024

Everything was perfect during our short stay here. Vimal and the team made it such a special experience from start to end, from the amazing private room, the beautiful shared spaces, the activities and tours they provide and of course the amazing food served in the kitchen which was by far the best we had on our whole trip. The chefs are geniuses! This is the perfect place to stay to experience the authentic life on the Kerala backwaters and everyone was so friendly and fun to be around. We can't wait to come back for a longer stay and thanks again for everything!

Stayed in April 2024

Location is amazing right on the waters in very pretty self contained house. The food was exceptional at a different level to the dozen or so places we have visited , being freshly prepared before our eyes ( and noses!) and lovingly cooked. The team was so friendly and helpful.

Stayed in April 2024

All was perfect. The location, the people, the attentions. It was a incredible experience. The team is extraordinary and the cook is a genius! If you want to envelope yourself in the beauty of the Backwaters, capture the atmosphere and taste the flavors in a haven of peace, book at Little Chembaka

Stayed in March 2024

It was all perfect

Perfect start to our holiday. Had a wonderful 3 night break here. Accommodation is lovely, and the food is simply divine. Really can't praise our stay here enough. We really enjoyed sunrise and sunset boat trips and wandering off along the backwater paths in the morning and evening. Lovely spot to sit and watch life go by on the water. Though we didn't do the cookery lessons Jes gave us lots of culinary tips. and stories about the wonderful food he prepared. Definitely inspired me to explore Keralan food further. Would seriously consider coming back just to spend a few days with Jes learning to cook such incredible dishes

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing at all!!!! Or maybe the fact we had to leave…..

This place is a true gem with an incredible team of people behind it, who go out of their way to make you ‘at home’ and include you in local life. The room is extremely comfortable and beautifully decorated with all mod cons. We loved relaxing on the verandas watching the world go by and meandering the local streets and rice paddies (behind the property) for some great sunset views. One of the unique USPs of this property is their commitment to the local community and this was evident in all the activities they offered. Little Chembaka is a ‘foodie’ heaven. Chef Jes is a passionate cook, whose love of local cuisine is infectious. We didn’t eat anywhere else! We did an ‘official’ cooking session with him on the first day but every meal was a cooking session! Don’t stay here without treating yourself to a cooking session (https://wonderwerk.kitchen) and a sunrise boat tour - both also possible to book if not a guest. Cooking: Chef Jes took us out to the fish and veg market to pick up fresh ingredients. We also stopped at the local ‘snack’ shop to taste local delicacies and were shown how coconut oil is produced and spices ground. Jes takes his time to explain how to work with different spices, flavour the oil etc., intent on building our understanding of the ‘base’ so we can apply this to the ingredients we have at home and play around with to suit our tastes. We cooked up a feast which we ate later that evening - after a great ‘break’ to watch Suni’s son dance at a local festival. Sunset boat trip: a must! Suni is an extremely thoughtful guide who gently navigated us through the beautiful backwaters where we could watch the local villages ‘wake up’. We stopped a couple of times to walk through the village, drinking chai with the local rice farmers, being shown how toddy is made (and tasting) and visiting some locals in their home (more chai and a blessing). Lots of interesting bird life too. Definitely the highlight of our Kerala trip!

Stayed in February 2024

We have just spent 3 wonderful days at Little Chembaka in the company of an amazing bunch of people who are passionate and dedicated to making your stay memorable. Our expectations of the place were pretty high having read all the glowing reviews and we were not disappointed. Everything that was promised was delivered and more! It is only when you are there can you appreciate what a very special place this is, created with love & attention to detail. We were made to feel welcome from the moment of booking and were looked after during our stay with a determination that we should enjoy an authentic backwater experience in the best way that suited our interests. The sunrise tour along the backwaters with Sanu was amazing seeing the natural beauty of the waterways changing with the arrival of dawn, observing the village coming to life and meeting the beautiful local people. Spending time with Jes in the kitchen, eating amazing food and exchanging life stories and then an action packed day in his company as he introduced us to experiences & food we would never have had access to on our own, was unforgettable. We enjoyed every moment. Thank you for such a special time - you touched our hearts and we will treasure memories of Little Chembaka for ever.

Stayed in February 2024

I loved everything about Little Chembaka. The house, room and garden are just beautiful, like a little paradise. It's very well taken care of, until the last detail. The location is right at the water. I also went for a nice walk along the canal up to the lake. The food is sourced locally and freshly prepared with love. It's a perfect place to taste a variety of local dishes. The sunrise boat tour is highly recommended. It gives an unspoiled glimpse into the local village life. The staff is just amazing and goes the extra mile to make you happy and feel home. They also share a lot of interesting information about local life and food.

Stayed in February 2024

There were no faults at all, such an amazing home stay I loved every minute! A gem of a place!

Stunning looking, cosy home stay, immaculate comfortable bedroom, bathroom and really lovely bed. Jesvanth and Sanu were so welcoming and friendly I felt so relaxed and happy here. Sunrise canoeing was beautiful and peaceful. I enjoyed meeting the local families, the chai and the demo from a toddy tapper! Jesvanth is a passionate and fab cook so I could watch and learn how to cook the amazing food he prepared for me. He also runs Wonderwerk cookery classes from little Chembaka.

Stayed in January 2024

The boat rental happens at the property. So you may see other guests in the morning or evening in the front yard but in very small groups of 2 or 3 people. In two days we saw only 2 groups coming by. No disturbance at all. Otherwise it’s a private experience at this property.

Very tastefully designed room and bathroom. It gives nice cozy & warm feeling. They have provided all the essentials for a traveller. Great location by the river. You can take a boat ride from the property as the hosts operate sunrise and sunset tours by canoes/luxury 2 seat boat and multistage boats. There is a professional kitchen attached to the room to experience authentic Kerala cuisine by the passionate chef/Co-owner who doesn’t run out fascinating stories of his adventures/experiences. Very impressed with the entire team - chef, helper, driver, guide, host.. who are working under the trade name of “experience Kerala”. You can experience tasting sweet toddy on your sunrise yours. Sumptuous Kerala breakfast served by the chef is included in the price. Highly recommended it.

Stayed in December 2023

Starting from the location. The ambience. The arrangements. The attention to detail. The whole architecture and setup of the place. The facilities. The humble and exceptional hosts. The amazing food they offer. The amazing tours they offer. The hospitality. The comfortable rooms. The 24x7 assistance. Everything about this place is amazing. The visuals that you get at this place in the morning, during the day,at night are just mesmerizing. You simply can't get enough of this place.

Stayed in December 2023

This was the best place we stayed during our month long trip in India. A very authentic experience which we felt lucky to have had. This isn’t just a room, you get the full package, cooking classes, boat trips, incredible food all day, local tours. If you do anything in India stay here! It turned out to be a highlight of our trip. Everyone made us feel welcome and party of their family, the food Jesvants cooks it to an extremely high level. Thanks for an amazing experience to everyone who made our stay so good!

Stayed in November 2023

Great accomandation! Nice atmosphere at the canal and very clean! Amazing food, nice owners, helpful/flexible with booking of cab, kayak tour, boating! Samu, Vidal and Yas were all very friendly

Stayed in September 2023

Everything was excellent. The weather was wet at times but in fact we found plenty to entertain us in the residence

This was a highlight of our trip to India. The team in Little Chembaka are wonderful, not only the accommodation but also the cooking class, the boat rides and the excellent conversations. This is a team with top class values and top class delivery! We were sorry to leave it had been such a great visit. It felt like we were being welcomed into a lovely little family. We relaxed, we enjoyed and we learned!

Stayed in September 2023

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I felt like a queen in this place. It’s a one bedroom accommodation, so I had all the attention and pampering from the staff. Jes and Suleka were so lovely and cooked different foods for me everyday! He’s is so attentive and really paid attention to all my preferences and made sure I’d always have a great food experience 💛 The location is really beautiful! You open your door and the canal is just in front of your room. There’s a beautiful garden where you can chill, relax. From there you can also take a boat or the kayak and explore the backwaters. It’s simply amazing! I’d recommend the sunrise boat ride for magical effect, like Jes says. 🙂 The room was spotless clean, snellling good and fresh! But the decoration and attention to detail is what really caught my attention. It’s difficult to find places like this in India, in my opinion. This was one of my best experiences staying somewhere. The staff is also very open minded and will make sure to take in any recommendations for improvements you might have for them. I really wish Jes and his team all the best with project! They are heart centered people and really focus on providing a unique experience to their guests. That’s what I had! 😃

Stayed in August 2023

Nothing that bothered us too much

Loved the setting, the accomodation and the personalized shikaras and homemade food cooked by Vimal and Sanu.

Stayed in July 2023

My wife & I visited Little Chembaka from Australia for 3 nights & what a treat that was! One of the owners, Vimal went absolutely above & beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. If you're after a genuine, local, proper foodie experience in the stunning Kumarakom backwaters we highly recommend this little gem. Cheers, Mark & Niv

Stayed in July 2023

Nothing!

Little Chembaka is named after the flower Chembaka (Champak in English, Swarna Champa in Bengali). Just like the wonderful smell of the delicate flower, this place evokes a charm on you as you step in. It is managed by wonderful people who are passionate about hospitality. If you want to explore the backwater like a local away from the frequent sounds of motorboat engines and dip your finger in the petrichor of Kerala, this is the place for you. This is perhaps the best location for a couple or a small family and the attention you will get from Sanu, Vimal, and others are exemplary. I seldom feel like home in a vacation rental but this place was unique and I hope it stays that way.

Stayed in June 2023

The only improvement is they should accept cards as a paymwnt method.

I loved staying at Little Chembaka, it was by far the best one in India. Jesvanth is an awsome host and makes the whole stay very special taking care of every detail. He really cares about people and showing you the local culture. Its a very customized experience startibg by the cooking and the food and the boat rides!! The place is clean, beautifully located and confortable. Awsome stay totally recommended!

Stayed in May 2023

We couldn't have asked for a better stay at Little Chembaka. The room was beautiful: simple, well-designed, and with a very comfy bed. The location, right on the water, was gorgeous. And the staff - especially Vimal and the chef, Jesvin - were so kind and welcoming. Truly outstanding hospitality. We can't recommend Little Chembaka enough!

Stayed in April 2023

great location right on the water , great local foods , interesting conversations with the owner and we got to take their kayak out to explore the backwaters

Stayed in March 2023

Everything was perfect

The best homestay ever we had in India. While minimalistic in style, it got everything a guest needs, designed in a creative & thoughtful way. It's very clean & cozy. The surroundings are beautiful. The canal, the small garden, the boats passing by. The stuff is fantastic. Helpful, & trying thier best to make your stay meaningfull. Above all, the cook/chef is really outstanding. He changed our understanding of Indian food. His cooking is creative in more ways than one. All in all, it was an excellent experience. Thank you all so much.

Stayed in March 2023

Nothing

A little castle located by the natural canal in a small hamlet of Kumarakom, is truly a wonderful place to stay. Fully furnished with wood, this cottage has all the amenities for a luxurious stay with a traditional look. The room inside is very neat and clean with everything arranged in perfection. The door of this cottage is very attractive and the brass lamp hung in front which is lit every evening, brings in the traditional vibes and a sense of positivity to this place. There is a nice garden space in front of the cottage overlooking the canal. You can sit here and spend hours watching the canal, boats passing by or just gazing at the water (this is what I loved to do :)). Mr. Vimal, who is one of the main hosts, a very humble and hospitable person, always there to help you and address your needs. In fact, the whole team of Little Chambaka is there to assist you always. Food is not only cooked with perfection but also presented with the same perfection for the guests... They offer you local authentic snacks and fruit drinks in between the meals during your stay here. Little Chambaka has its own Canoe, kayak and Shikara services #CanoeKerala. You can take any of these as per your comfort. Early morning sunrise rides are a must for those who are staying here. The mesmerising view of sunrise in a picture perfect setup of lake with water lilies, birds with the backdrop of coconut trees and their reflection on either sides of the canal...was truly a sight to behold. This is one thing for which I would want to go to Little Chambaka again.

Stayed in February 2023

Incredible experience! The staff made our stay memorable. We enjoyed the cooking sessions - a chance to share experiences while talking to interesting people and learning about Kerala cuisine. Highly recommend!

Stayed in December 2022

Absolutely nothing.

This review is for Little Chembaka (the homestay), Wonderwerk (their kitchen) and Canoe Kerala (their tour company). You can experience their food and Canoe Kerala activities even if you are not staying at Chembaka but we covered everything. Me and my friend wanted to book Little Chembaka for two nights but it was available only for one. Reading the reviews, we really wanted to experience what this place had to offer and so we decided to stay, even if for a night. And boy, we are so happy we took that decision. The one day that we spent at Chembaka was so full of experiences that we couldn't have asked for more. Be it the hospitality, the food, the room, the activities... everything was so beautiful. Hats off to Sanu, Jeswanth, Shashi and the rest of their team. The day we reached we were first served a lip smacking local authentic Kerala food for lunch. In the evening we went for a sunset cruise. It was a serene ride in the backwaters. At night we had some amazing conversations with Jeswanth and a fellow traveller, followed by once again an elaborate yummy local authentic meal for dinner. Next morning we went Kayaking which included many other local experiences. I'd let that be a surprise! We checked-out and came back in the evening to celebrate my friend's birthday with Jeswanth, Sanu, Shashi and two other lovely guests who had checked-in that day. They had planned such a beautiful evening for us. The entire place was lit up with diyas like it was Diwali. There was cake and Jeswanth had cooked the most delicious Biryani I have had so far. We had so many more unexpected and memorable experiences at Little Chemaka. Words won't be enough to describe. You have got to experience it yourself!

Stayed in December 2022