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Vala House

Cochin, India
Vala House — hotel photograph
Vala House is Cherai’s hidden gem, a charming, private hotel just a stone’s throw from the beach, and tucked out of sight of the tourist areas while still being close enough to visit them.

With four rooms and a villa, the property has a communal feel, while allowing everyone their own space - every room has a balcony offering views of the lake, and the villa boasts a lounge, dining room and library too. Explore Kerala’s backwaters and soak in the sea-faring heritage, from the palm-flanked waterways to the ancient Chinese fishing nets. Nature lovers will be spoilt for sightings, and those seeking luxury have the hotel spa.

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What we love

    • This is a tranquil and secluded homestay, tucked out of sight of tourist areas and far from the chaos of India’s urban hubs
    • Guests frequently praise the warm and friendly service
    • A great place for nature lovers to spot all variations of birdlife
    • A real chance to see a local community at work - from trawlers to oyster dredgers, the harbour is the beating heart of Cherai
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The hotel rooms don’t have all the mod cons like air conditioning or flat-screen TV, but they have an authentic homestay charm

There is no Western food available on the menu, but this is perfect for those looking to expand their palette and try the local cuisine

While there is no pool at the hotel, you can unwind in the spa with a range of full body massages and Ayurvedic treatments

Families are welcome, and while all rooms are king rooms, a day bed can be provided that doubles as a single bed for children to use

Located along Pipeline Road in Cherai on a peaceful stretch of Kerala’s backwaters. It’s a short drive from the seashore and Cherai Beach, and a 45-minute drive from Cochin International Airport.

What our travellers say

We went to Sri Lanka as a three-generation family of three. The superb trip was organised by Samanthie and the team and it's difficult to see how it could have been bettered.
Roy Wood (February 2026)
Red Dot organised the most wonderful 3-week holiday for us. Samanthie built a trip around the amazing sights we had requested visiting, together with her own suggestions and a wide mix of hotels, which gave us the flavours of both traditional Sri Lanka and the sleek, stylish contemporary version of the country. Our Driver made the whole experience incredibly special for us.
Alie C (February 2026)
I can’t thank Cherylle and the Red Dot team enough for their meticulous planning of our family holiday to India travelling through Rajasthan over Christmas. As a family of all adults, every suggestion from daily activities to hotel choices was simply perfect. We travelled through Delhi, Ranthambore (an unforgettable tiger safari!), Jaipur and Agra and I truly feel we experienced the very best of each destination while moving at a relaxed, well thought out pace
Daisy Stanton (February 2026)
My partner arranged a holiday trip at fairly short notice to Sri Lanka with Red Dot on a recommendation, Samanthie was so patient & helpful with her suggested itinerary which we followed with some minor amendments. On arrival at Colombo we met Manjula our chauffeur/guide who was absolutely brilliant!
Andrew S (February 2026)
Dulmini and the Red Dot Team arranged a fantastic trip for us around Assam and North East India. Faultless service. I cannot recommend them more highly.
Martin Thomas (February 2026)
Wonderful company. Our holiday in Sri Lanka was perfect. Local knowledge made all the difference
Sandra Nicholson  (February 2026)
We looked up, and communicated with umpteen tour operators. Though Red Dot seemed to have offices in Sri Lanka and the UK, they seemed to have the best reviews. We were fortunate enough to correspond with Cherylle, who not only assured us of the safety of our friend, but created a personalised, and flexible, itinerary which we could not have done ourselves.
Jayant Banerji (February 2026)
A 14-day tour with Red Dot Tours was the perfect antidote to the bleak UK winter. After a glowing recommendation from a friend, we contacted Red Dot Tours and were not disappointed. Our consultant, Lahiru, curated a seamless itinerary. Throughout the planning phase, Lahiru was incredibly responsive; the final itinerary—delivered via a user-friendly 'Guest Portal'—was impressively detailed, covering every hotel stay and excursion.
Phil Blair ( February 2026)
Traveller testimonial from Roy Wood (February 2026)

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