Vanilla County: A Heritage Home Where Time Slows Down

Tucked away in the misty hills of Kerala’s Western Ghats, Vanilla County is more than just a homestay — it’s a home with a soul, shaped by generations, stories, and the quiet grace of tradition.

Long before travelers found solace in its peaceful verandahs and spice-scented air, this 80-year-old bungalow was a beloved family home. Built in the 1940s, during a time when architecture embraced both beauty and resilience, the house stands proud with its tiled roof, lofty ceilings, and airy courtyards that keep the heat and noise of the world at bay.

It was in 1997 that Vanilla County first opened its doors to guests. What began as a simple experiment by my parents — to share their warm hospitality with a few curious travelers — soon grew into something much deeper. Over the years, word spread, not through advertising, but through stories told over shared meals and friendships made over cups of freshly brewed cardamom tea.

When I returned to Kerala after studying culinary arts in New Zealand, I came home not just to take over the reins, but to preserve what my parents had lovingly nurtured. We’ve held on to the values that made Vanilla County special — honest hospitality, soulful food, and a connection to the land — while slowly adding our own touch.

Today, Vanilla County is a bridge between the past and the present. Guests still sleep in rooms with antique rosewood furniture, but now they wake up to sourdough from our Taranaki Bakery. They explore the same spice trails my grandfather once walked, but with new stories and insights woven in.

Every corner of the house has a memory. The long dining table where guests from across the world come together over a sadhya feast. The jackfruit tree that has stood through decades of storms and sunshine. The kitchen, where time-honored recipes continue to simmer in clay pots.

Our heritage isn’t just in the architecture or the antiques — it lives in the people, the stories, and the flavors. We’re proud to be a part of Kerala’s living history, offering something increasingly rare in today’s world: a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and feel at home.

Welcome to Vanilla County — where history is not preserved in glass cases, but lived, every day.