The people behind Ameya Kerala

What is the name of your property: Ameya Kerala

Please introduce yourselves:
We Istvan and Véronique d’Eliassy a French couple living in Paris, both working one in IT and one in chocolate have discovered and fallen in love with the land of Ameya on the side of the backwaters’ lake. We both had been travelling through Asia for 40 years and this was the best place we had ever seen during all our travels So, we decided to make our dream come true and create a luxury boutique property with one of
the best-known architects of Kerala, Ramesh Tharakan.

How would you describe your property?
For the last 11 years, we have been sourcing paintings, furniture and works of art in Kerala, and we have furnished and decorated it just as we would our own home, where we would be delighted to welcome guests. Above all, we have sought to create a refined and very comfortable atmosphere we felt it was important for the different living spaces to be separate one from the other, this is why we came up with the idea of separate detached houses.
Also, for us it was essential to have a spa to experience the atmosphere of Indian massages. We also created a tropical garden, spacious lawns, and poolside seating which all are contributing to making a stay at Ameya a magical experience. There is a very attentive staff, coming from the local village.
And we love our chef who can prepare excellent Keralan cuisine, always made with the freshest local produce, and every guest can ask him for any special requests. Furthermore, Ameya has always been about responsible tourism, women empowerment, conservation, working with the local community and offering an eco-friendly experience on the backwaters. Ameya is probably the only resort that is totally off-grid and produces its own electricity harnessing solar energy of which we are fortunately blessed with. All the staff at Ameya are from the local village.

What is the story behind the property?
We soon realized that Ameya would be part of ‘God’s own country’ to be able to discover a little of India and have a place where we’d always want to come back to recharge our batteries. A kind of paradise that we hope our guests will love too. It took us years of patience, conviction and enthusiasm to complete the construction. But it was worth it!

What makes the property special to you personally?
The peace and beauty of the place, the nice and kind staff, the fact that we both did everything together, including every single decorating decision, always with the help of our manager Anish who is the keeper of the soul of the property.

What does a perfect day look like staying at your property and in your location?
Located in the picturesque backwater village of Varanad in Alleppey, on the banks of the famed Vembanad backwaters Ameya is ideally located to explore the backwaters, village life and a short drive to town of Alleppey and historic port city of Cochin. The rural setting and the natural beauty of the backwaters with its palm fringed waterfront will greatly enhance your experience of village life and the backwaters of Kerala. We have some great local experiences and tours for guests including canoe cruises, tuk-tuk rides through the countryside and much more.

What should your guests experience while staying?
Our guests' experience revolves around immersion in local culture and natural beauty. 
This includes: Natural Wonders and Waterways. Guests can immerse themselves in the serenity and calmness of the coconut tree-surrounded backwaters, navigating small canals that lead to areas like the Kumarakom bird sanctuary. A traditional rice boat experience is a must, offering a peaceful look at life on the water.
Historical and Coastal Excursions: we facilitate trips to the renowned Alleppey and Marari beach, as well as the historic old port town of Fort Cochin. For deeper insight, a village tour with a well-experienced local guide is available, connecting guests with the authentic local community.
Culinary Journey: guests can indulge in local famous Kerala cuisine. Meals are prepared fresh and, depending on the booking, guests can enjoy a Full Board plan or participate in a dedicated Cooking Class to learn about the regional flavors.