The homestay at River Woods in Magundi town in Chikmaglur district. You get to stay in a plantation bungalow with many bedrooms with attached bath. There is a cook and caretaker there who look after you like it is your own house. Meals are had in the common dining room with other guests and gives a very homely feeling. Food cooked is as per your wish and you can request for a cuppa char at anytime of the day.
The staff are extremely hospitable and very child-friendly. They even woke up at 2am one day to take our sick child to a doctor. They organize a tour of the plantations and trek down to the river whenever you like and there is a very good fishing spot where my kids 4 and 7yrs caught fish in the 1st 15mins of our fishing there. Roads are excellent for most of the way till Belur and you only have a rough stretch ( not seriously bad) closer to the Magundi town. The charges for the homestay were a very reasonable Rs.1200 for a couple per day while my kids were included in this charge, meals too.
An extra bed was provided for the kids at no extra cost. You get to see a lot of birds there and the whole atmosphere is ideal for relaxation or activities like swimming in the river, trekking, etc. Our stay was from April 28- May 1st 2006. The weather was pleasant, slightly on the warmer side.