Potluri's 19 Degrees

The lovely Potluri family of Munnar have done an amazing job opening their home up to guests. I say guests, but really we felt more like family friends during our 3 nights there. We opted for the two story bamboo loft hut - maybe a bit of a luxurious upgrade for a couple travelling on the cheap, but worth every penny. Wifi and electricity in the hut, but an authentic outdoor experiences. The huts - which I hear were built by Pavan himself - are nestled in a beautiful bamboo fortress (the only word I can think to describe it) with cute lanterns and seats set apart in their garden. If you're not one who likes the sounds of a cute bamboo hut, this accommodation may not float your boat, but you certainly can't fault it. We chose Potluri's because we were looking for a place with a host who could enhance our experience. Arriving in Munnar with no clue of where to go, Pavan (and his family) was just the guide we'd wanted. He told us which local sites were most interesting, organised a day long rickshaw tour (working out at about £10 per head with a phenomenal driver lasting 7 hours), and even offered us a taste of local culture with a personal cooking class with him and his sister. This last experience alone was fantastic enough, but was enhanced by the quality of the food on offer at Potluri's. By comparison to Munnar (which disappointed our tastebuds somewhat), the breakfast and dinner we enjoyed every day was fantastic. Pavan's butter chicken was stunning, and his sister was a fantastic cook. Reinforcing once again how fantastic our choice of hosts was, we were overawed by the willingness of the family to wash our clothes, adjust our bill, and give us homemade condiments to take home. Looking back on the experience overall, I believe we had the best experience we could have had in Munnar by coming here. The area is spread apart and requires rickshaws to see properly, so the key to enjoying it is having a host who will help you organise yourself, and get the best deal. Pavan and the Potluri family did this and so much more to ensure our stay was amazing. My girlfriend and I can't thank them enough for all they've done for us. Take our advice and give Potluri's a shot! Jack and Helena