Col & Mrs John Abraham - your local connection in Kerala will ensure you have a memorable KERALA EXPERIENCE. Kerala - "God's Own Country" - a land bestowed with beauty so enchanting that visitors and warriors alike have been attracted to its shores since ages - the warmth and hospitality of its people, the exotic produces of this Spice Garden and the inviting coconut groves that Mother Nature has gifted to its people have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia.
Only 18 months after its conversion from the private residence of Mr Raheem to a boutique hotel it was awarded the prestigious accreditation by the government of India, "a genuine Heritage Hotel of India (2005)" Expect an intimate personalised service that also respects your privacy in a classical Indian setting with echoes of the Raj. Raheem Residency's heritage is rich and genuine. Showing definite British colonial influences in its design, its history is documented back to the end of the 19th century when Mr Raheem's ancestors, textile merchants, moved their family from Gujarat in northwestern India to the thriving port town of Alleppey. We assume that it was at this time that the Raheem family bought the existing colonial house and called it Raheem Bungalow. Today we are glad to report that the current Mr Raheem and his wife, Mrs Mymunnah, are now happily living in Cochin city since we bought the property from them in 2003. Mr Raheem remains a regular visitor, together with his extended Muslim family and he is very celebratory about the restoration which we at Personalised Holidays India Pvt Ltd., a small Indo-European private limited company, instigated with the passion of a modern-day custodian of one of the old treasures of Kerala. In changing its use from a private home to a boutique hotel, we took the liberty of changing its name from Raheem Bungalow to Raheem Residency Alleppey is a quaint town with all the hustle and bustle of India but on a manageable scale. Its traders did business with Greece and Rome BC. The Portuguese landed in the 16th century but were sidelined by the Dutch who built warehouses for storing pepper and other spices. The then Maharaja of Travencore gave them a run for their money and power returned to the local rulers who set about cultivating coconuts, building roads etc. The British made their contribution too and it was in 1859 that the first modern coir matting factory was built, an industry which provides Alleppey's main income today We are located across a road from an undeveloped beach. We are the first high-ranking hotel at this beach which is rarely used by anyone except for Indian families on a Sunday afternoon and Raheem Residency guests. As well as the beach Alleppey has a delightful network of canals meandering through the town and beckoning the beautiful backwaters into the centre. And the boat jetty, which takes you on your backwater cruise, is only 10 minutes from us.
Swimming Pool: The Apple Pool, named after the Velvet Apple tree in the courtyard, is a 14.7 metre pool imported from France.
Outdoor Room: An elevated space with hammocks and garden furniture for lazing around
Chakara: Our restaurant, Chakara ('plentiful catch of fish'), takes its name from the daily deliveries of fresh fish to our kitchen from the Arabian Sea across the way. Our culinary team will carefully re-create the great traditional and healthy dishes of Kerala - Alleppey Fish Curry, our signature dish; Seer Fish Mollie in a coconut milk sauce; Masala Prawns; Kerala Chicken Curry and for those with Indian spice-fatigue a selection of contemporary European dishes like Chicken in Orange and Mint sauce. Fresh vegetables and fruit are purchased daily and minimum fat is used in our cooking. Chakara is in a semi-open space on an upper floor, looking out to the Arabian Sea. You may see the local fishing boats glide past as they deposit your dinner a little distance away from us! The restaurant is also open to non-residents.
Library:Contains a small but ever growing collection of books, mainly of Indian interest e.g. Indian literature in English, classic Indian texts, and travel books.
Yoga: An integrated mind/ body system that calms the mind is available morning and evenings.
Ayurveda: Ayurveda, a 5000 year old system of holistic medicine which originated in Kerala is practiced in our house by a qualified team of doctors and technicians. We offer rejuvenation and longevity programmes, slimming programmes and natural herbal beauty treatments. We also offer 1-to-1 or small group introductory courses on Ayurveda and nutrition. The Ayurveda Suite consists of separate massage rooms for ladies and gentlemen, each with attached hot shower bathrooms.
General Body Massage: Traditional Ayurvedic Massage using special oils made from Ayurvedic herbs for rejuvenation, general health, toning the skin, relaxing the body and improving circulation. Sessions run for 60 minutes.
Mukhalepanam (General Facial): A herbal facial cleanser and toner which will nourish and revitalize the skin, improves the skin texture and can slow down the onset of wrinkles. Sessions run for 60 minutes.
Head & Shoulder Massage: A Massage focusing on the head, shoulders and lower back to relieve muscular stiffness and mental tension. Sessions run for 30 minutes.
Shirodhara: Oil (Thylum) or medicated milk is poured on the forehead in a unique method. Good for insomnia, loss of memory, mental tension, stress and head ache. Sessions run for 75 minutes.
Sirovasti: Lukewarm herbal medicated oil passed on to the head through a special cap. It is highly effective for facial paralysis, dryness of nostrils, severe headache, burning sensation of the head etc. Sessions run for 60 minutes.
Pizhichil: Special Ayurvedic oil bath where lukewarm herbal oil is applied in a rhythmic way. Good for arthritis, backache and nervous disorders. This is a truly luxurious Ayurvedic experience, also including a 20 minute full body massage. Sessions run for 60-90 minutes.
Elakizhi: Sweating the body with lukewarm boluses filled with herbal leaves cooked in Ayurvedic oils. Recommended for arthritis, joint pains and back ache. Sessions run for 105 minutes.
Udvarthanam: A slimming treatment whereby herbal powder is applied to the body. Good for obesity, bad circulation and diabetes. Sessions run for 60 minutes.
Njavarakizhi: Sweating the body with lukewarm rice boluses by trained technicians. Good for pain in the joints, arthritis, traumatic disorders to the skeletal system. Sessions run for 105 minutes.
Wedding Service: We offer a complete wedding service. We arrange everything - flowers, drummers, elephant, garlanded cars, bridal wear, make-up, photography, video, wedding feast, honeymoon, and witnesses if necessary, for all religious denominations. Firstly, we recommend that you allow 48 hours for relaxation on arrival. During this time you can be pampered in our Ayurvedic Suite. Just imagine the softness of the skin after a one hour oil bath in medicated warm ayurvedic oils. And a facial in specially formulated herbal oils and creams. During this time a tailor will make up a Nehru style shirt and pants for the groom, and a blouse to wear with the white and gold Kerala sari for the bride. On the wedding day, you will set out from Raheem Residency to a chapel at the beach in a white ambassador car garlanded with a mass of coloured flowers. After the ceremony, a band of 12 or so drummers and wind instrumentalists naked to the waist and dressed in traditional dhotis will escort the couple atop an elephant to Raheem Residency for the wedding feast - a Kerala 'sadhya'. This consists of about 15 different dishes served on a banana leaf. Raheem's Honeymoon Room with its 100 year old 4-post bed and Kerala bathroom open to the skies will be the perfect love nest at the end of your perfect day.
Col & Mrs John Abraham - your local connection in Kerala will ensure you have a memorable KERALA EXPERIENCE. Kerala - "God's Own Country" - a land bestowed with beauty so enchanting that visitors and warriors alike have been attracted to its shores since ages - the warmth and hospitality of its people, the exotic produces of this Spice Garden and the inviting coconut groves that Mother Nature has gifted to its people have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia.
