Fernandeswadi in Uran is a charming homestay set amid a coconut grove by the sea. Run by Jharna Thakkar and Rohan Fernandes, they are carrying forward the dream of Rohan’s grandfather James Heredia, who bought the property with the dream of creating a slice of Goa for himself and his family. The house has three bedrooms: the pet-friendly master room with a balcão, and two upstairs overlooking South Mumbai’s skyline in the distance, and the Dronagiri mountain. They are done up with four-poster beds, hotel-grade linen, and are fully air-conditioned. A balcão runs around the front of the house, leading towards a screened dip pool with sun beds. The garden is home to 120 coconut trees (they have names!), mango, tadgola, and banana trees, patches of aloe vera and tomatoes, composting pits, a brick oven and a small nursery. Host Jharna Thakkar handles the kitchen with pride, and draws from her Kutchi roots, her partner Rohan Fernandes’ Goan roots and their Maharashtrian locale when planning the day’s menu. The food and ingredients she uses change as per the season and the vegetables often come from their own farm. Expect meals to feature homemade Gujarati pickles, Goan curries, fresh pav, bhakris, usal, kadhis, laddoos and more. Entire bungalow from Rs25,000*; Private Balacy Suite from Rs9,000* (on weekends); Instagram. —Joanna Lobo
Maachli Sindhudurg (9 hour drive from Mumbai)
Entrance of Maachli SindhudurgMaachli Sindhudurg
Named after the temporary machaans typically built in fields for farmers to rest, Maachli is set within a 10-acre farm on the Malvan coast. There are six cottages with sloping thatched roofs, all named after constellations to signify abundance. Here, you will be surrounded by betelnut, mango and coconut trees as well as spice plants. Your hosts are husband-wife duo Pravin and Priya Samanth and their son Prathamesh, who can help guide you on treks nearby. Food is cooked the old-school way—traditional Malvani dishes made with organic vegetables that are available locally, cooked on a mud stove and served in leaf plates. Cottages on the property don’t have air conditioning, but are designed to allow cross-ventilation, which keeps the interiors cool and comfortable even in the summer. There’s no Wi-Fi or television and mobile network can be patchy. Embrace the digital detox and take guided plantation walks and treks, watch how your food is made in the kitchen or visit a potter’s village nearby. Bhogwe beach, Khavane beach and Kille Nivate beach are a drive away, as is the seaside Sindhudurg Fort. Doubles from Rs8,500* including breakfast; Website. —Arundhati Ail
Ferreira House (in Mumbai)
Interior, James Ferreira’s houseRahul Kizhakke Veetil
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