Keraleeyam

Rejuvenating and modestly-priced Ayurvedic treatments in a welcoming heritage home, right beside the backwaters near Alleppey

Would you know a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic herbal massage from a brisk commercial rub-down? I wouldn’t recognise an avisnanam if it stripped my clothes off and bathed me in herbal steam. But after a week of gentle yet thorough massage, accompanied by steam baths, skin applications, a healthy diet and a relaxing environment, my body definitely knew the difference.

Keraleeyam is Authentic Ayurveda with two capital A’s, serving up massages, baths, lotions and potions from Kerala's oldest family pharmacy business (the S.D. Pharmacy Group). There’s a 70-year-old bungalow with 5 (pretty basic but air-conditioned) rooms inside, plus 9 newer and much more charming palm-thatched cottages (some with air conditioning), all perched on the edge of the vivid green backwaters near Alleppey.

The accommodation is simple and traditional, with carved wooden furniture, coir matting on the floors, palm-lined gardens and only the chirping birds (and the occasional motor boat) to break the silence. The staff are friendly, qualified locals and the treatments can last from an hour to a month. The concept is that of a health-restoring home - you’ll be treated as a member of the family and encouraged to do whatever you like and order whatever you want, although given the health-kick theme, neither fizzy drinks or alcohol are served.

Highs

• You know the excellent Ayurvedic treatments are doing you a power of good
• It’s great value for money
• This is a homely place in a delightful position, right beside the green backwaters
• There are plenty of other activities on offer, including shopping, canoeing, elephant rides, kathakali performances and dressing-up Indian-style

Lows

• The furnishings are spartan and the facilities limited (no bar or pool - and swimming in the algae-filled backwaters is not advised)
• The 4 twin rooms in the heritage bungalow are adjacent to each other, so their windows are permanently closed to ensure privacy
• The in-room air conditioning is loud (we recommend using the fan instead), as is the generator used during power cuts
• The barbed wire protecting the property from unwanted water-borne visitors slightly spoils the view
• Meals must be ordered at least 2 hours in advance and no alcohol is available