Raheem Residency, Alleppey South India

Raheem Residency is an exquisite ten-bedroomed boutique hotel which was originally built in 1868. Tastefully renovated maintaining its original Mughal / Colonial style architecture, the hotel is situated just across the road from the relatively underdeveloped Alleppey beach and the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea. The drive from Cochin Airport is under two hours.

Originally built by an Englishman during the Colonial period, this property was the home of the Raheem’s, an eminent Alleppey family, for one hundred years. In 2003 the bungalow was restored by its current Indo-European owners, maintaining its original heritage architecture. Verandahs and courtyards, cooling terracotta floors, high timber ceilings, and intricately-carved, stained-glass doors still remain. The interiors are furnished with exquisite Indian antiques draped with vibrantly-coloured raw silk, velvet, and brocade soft furnishings. Raheem Residency is now recognised by the Tourism Dept of India as a Heritage Hotel and has won the `All India Architectural Award for the Restoration of a Heritage Property’. This is a peaceful and exotic boutique hotel that is ideal for couples or even writers and artists. During off season, the hotel blocks off special periods where writers are encouraged to come and stay at a reduced rate.