Alright, Lets start from the beginning. The Nest is a residential homestay guesthouse that opened its doors to International tourists in the fall of 2001. Starting out with just 2 basic rooms, with hard work and honest service we were pretty soon listed in International guide booksfor travellers.

The family run business is headed by myself Johnson Gilbert, a former Disc Jockey and music shop owner. We have now expanded to 5 spacious beautiful rooms all ensuite, and with balconeys/terrace. The balconies give another dimension to the rooms - they are beautifully laid with flowering fragrant creepers that cover not only them but also the rooms. Sitting out there in the balcony/terrace and having dinner, sipping tea, or beginning the day with breakfast is a very relaxing and adds more value to your room. All the balconies /terrace overlook the garden which boasts a lawn, various flowering fragrant jasmine, henna tree, pineapple plants and an exotic collection of flowering orchids.

Tourism in Alleppey is booming, better roads, cleaner surroundings, and most of all, for tourists - the beautification of the South and North inland canals makes it a town where the tourist can stay for a week or more - great for walks with friendly people and green unpolluted air. And if it's for the backwaters that you're coming for (which is what Alleppey is in the tourist map for), well, we have a beautiful houseboat of our own, perhaps the biggest one bedroom houseboat in Kerala. And definitely the best in service.

We've also added another dimension to tourism in Alleppey by discovering and promoting the Secret Beach. This beach is located about 25 minutes drive from the Nest, in a secluded fishing village away from the tourist trail. Our friend's guesthouse there has great Kerala food, and 3 basic rooms. If the beach does not do it for you, check out the Snake Temple, a centuries old temple about 40 minutes drive from the Nest. This temple is unique in that the religious rites there are headed by women. An enchanting place surrounded by very old trees , very woody, almost surreal atmostphere.

At the Nest, we take pride in providing honest service. It's a home where the guests are made to feel at home, where the guest and host can interact, learn about each other's differnt cultures, lifestyles, traditions, habits, etc. And in doing so, foster understanding and tolerance between peoople of different nations. Ultimately, hopefully, take a small but important step in making the world a better place for you and me - and our children.

Johnson Gilbert
Propreitor,
Johnson's The Nest.