What is a homestay?

Over the past decade, the concept of a homestay has gained popularity throughout India. It means simply to stay in someone's home. Living in a homestay during your travels enables you to have an enriching and immersive experience. They are mostly social and informal settings where interaction with hosts and co-travellers plays a large role. Homestay operators host their spaces in many different ways, which makes each homestay experience unique and full of discovery. 

The Bhuj House is our ancestral home. It was built as a family house and was used only by family members until we opened it to guests in October 2015. While family members still visit the house, we have a team dedicated to running the homestay: preparing breakfast and meals, providing local, logistical assistance etc. The house is filled with family treasures, photographs and memorabilia which offer a sense of the past, as well as a mix of vintage and contemporary Kutchi fabrics that can be found throughout the region. The food is typical of the Parsi community and served in the inner courtyard of the house; a peaceful oasis in the midst of a bustling town. Our doors are open to all visitors who would like to share and immerse themselves in the history and tranquillity of the house. There are no TVs, but plenty of books and maps on the local region, and a bottomless pot of chai or coffee is always on offer. We promote ethical tourism and environmentally friendly practices, and we were awarded Gold for Best Heritage Property in the Outlook Responsible Travel Awards, 2018.

To give you a feel, you can see a sample of the messages our guests have left in our visitor book here…

Below is a 3-minute video one of our guests made about their stay at The Bhuj House in December 2022.

Here is a small list of some other special homestays/farmstays in India that we recommend:

  • DEVPUR HOMESTAY, Kutch

  • CEDO, Kutch

  • OLAULIM BACKYARDS, Inland Goa

  • OFF THE GRID, Goa/Karnataka border

  • MAACHLI, Sindurdurg, Goa/Maharashtra border

  • ATITHI PARINAY, Nr Ratnagiri, Maharashtra

  • YANGSUM FARM, Sikkim

  • SUNNYMEAD ESTATE, Shimla

  • GRANNY'S INN, Varanasi

  • SANCTUARY, Andaman Islands

  • THE PAREKH FARM, Nashik