Review of Villa Aroor – Best Chikmagalur Homestay

Namitha Aroor, the brains and heart behind Villa Aroor Chikmagalur homestay belongs to the unique ilk of hosts who design home stays as their own abode instead of simply being a commercial establishment available for guests. In the case of Villa Aroor, the bungalow was actually intended to serve as their family residence but later a serendipitous change in plans gave Chikmagalur one of its finest stays.

This 120 year old Chikmagalur homestay has been purposefully restored and reimagined as an intimate sanctuary for guests seeking solitude in the company of tea and coffee plantations. Wavering between state of the art amenities and quiet, understated luxury reflecting local heritage, art and cultural symbols – the villa creates an effortless dialog between the impeccable services of a hotel and the cosy comfort of a place that feels like home.

The Space

Villa Aroor is an expansive bungalow with a sizable front porch, a living room ideal for convivial family time, an opulent dining room that would fit right into a British estate home and its star attraction – an outdoor sitting area with uninterrupted views of the plantations, valleys and beyond. The villa has only four rooms, each with a different colored theme but similar layout and amenities. The design language is spacious and subliminally luxurious with each room leading to outdoor areas, a passage with a towering ceiling and bathrooms that belong to an issue of Architectural Digest magazine.  

Luxurious bathrooms

Luxurious bathrooms

The small number of rooms means that it is possible to book the entire villa for an extended family stay. Even with single room bookings, the villas has plenty of nooks and corners to find your own alcove or mingle with the other guests if you prefer company.

Hospitality & Meals at Villa Aroor Homestay in Chikmagalur

Supporting and boosting local employment, Villa Aroor has a team of people (both men and women) who manage the household like clockwork and keep the place pristine. Though most of the staff does not speak English or Hindi, they are well-trained to understand your requirements and direct any questions to the caretaker who is fluent in English. Unsurprisingly, the biggest team is assigned to the kitchen which prepares every meal like a feast for the gods! Anticipation works up an appetite as you read the menu of the day, hand-written in the dining room on a big chalkboard. The menu is elaborate and features local flavours as well as popular favorites with plenty of indulgences. Most of the fresh produce comes from the local farms so you can also sample seasonal ingredients and inventive preparations.

The dining room also has a coffee station with every bean and brew imaginable, a delight for coffee connoisseurs.

We celebrated our second wedding anniversary at the villa and were delighted and grateful for the thoughtful gesture of a celebratory dinner with complimentary cake, cosy dinner setup with candles, and splendid tableware.

Pastimes and Pleasures – Things to do at Villa Aroor Homestay in Chikmagalur

This home stay in Chikmagalur draws you into its indoor spaces and outdoor experiences with alacrity, cajoling you to immerse yourself head-first in the Chikmagalur experience. Board game lovers will find a sweet and whimsical collection of classics like Carrom, Ludo, Connect 4 and some contemporary ones like Code Names. We found a comfortable spot to spend countless  hours delving into the board games outside against a striking backdrop of the plantations and with a theme song of the larking birds. The stay also has an impressive collection of books which can be leafed through if you’re not carrying one of your own.

The weather is pleasant enough around the year to stake up a bonfire and strike up a conversation with the other guests or simply look at the starry skies.  

Around and Outside Villa Aroor Chikmagalur Homestay

During the evening, a knowledgeable in-house guide took us around for a walking tour of the plantation and chanced upon some species of frogs, spice trees and even saw some trees bearing the cocoa fruit. The following day, we decided to drive down to see the tea factory, a secluded and picturesque spot among the plantations to get some pictures and later even went down to see a waterfall. We went in the rainy season so leeches were uninvited guests for almost all our walks, especially down to the waterfall.

We also found ourselves venturing out for long walks around the estate, plantations and the nearby village to explore the place and work up an appetite before the next meal. The plantations are run by an assiduous team of (mostly women) workers plucking rhythmically and pausing only occasionally to smile and wave at you.

The Aroor family also owns the Quard Hitlow tea factory where we were able to get a full tour of the tea manufacturing process from plantations to packets ready for sale.

Tariff   

Villa Aroor can be booked at Rs 10,000 per room on double occupancy for a night. The price includes all meals and tea time snacks. All the tours, plantation walk and drive to the waterfall were included in this price.

Final Verdict

Villa Aroor is a rare find where the pictures and reviews live up to and perhaps even surpass expectations. The villas is clean, spacious and has a well-trained and hospitable team working behind the scenes to make your holiday experience special. Even if one is nit-picking, it’s hard to find faults with this serene oasis of luxury only manifested by most city dwellers.

If you have a three-day long weekend coming up, Chikmagaluru makes for a great short road trip from Bangalore.

Interested in exploring more boutique hotels, homestays, villas and Airbnbs around Bangalore? Read more here.