A farmer's family home on the beach at Nileshwar, Kerala, restored with local coconut timber
"About 90 percent of the work was done by me and my team using locally sourced coconut timber."
The craftsman who restored the house
What is now Aavi, a premium beach retreat, was once a very small home for a humble farmer with eight children. As the family grew, so did the house, gradually taking the shape it has today. Official records date it to 1945, the year they could afford a tiled roof.
But the story began much earlier, in the form of a simple coconut leaf thatched house like many in this part of Kerala. It was built by Aurcha Kandakkoran, the grandfather of our founder, together with Ariyanthoruthi Kunhikanimanikyam. Farming, coconut, toddy tapping and the coconut trade were their livelihood, as for many families on this coast.
Education mattered in this family, and the house sent out some of the first doctors in the area. Originally it faced east. Today it faces west.
Two generations later, it has been lovingly transformed into a stunning retreat that welcomes guests from around the world while keeping the spirit of its past alive.
"About four years ago, I came to this place to see this house. The owners, Biju sir, and my friend Manoj sir were with me that day. Back then, this was an old, neglected house. … When they spoke of restoring it, rebuilding it, it felt like a big risk.
We did most of the work using local material like coconut timber. Whether it's the staircase you see here now, the roof work, or the furniture here, about 90 percent of the work was done by me and my team using locally sourced coconut timber.
When it was done, I felt I had been able to do justice to it. About 90 %, I feel I did it justice. And now that it's done, there is a sense of satisfaction. I'm grateful to everyone for entrusting me with this work and letting me get it done."
From the video at the top of this page.
The four Heritage rooms are in the ancestral home: Thira, Chippi and Poyya face the beach, and Kaitha opens to the garden. They are also the rooms where pets stay with you.
The coconut and toddy tapping that kept the family are still part of village life here. Guests can see them on the visits described on our responsible tourism page.
Official records date it to 1945, the year the family could afford a tiled roof. It began earlier as a coconut-leaf thatched house.
Aurcha Kandakkoran, the grandfather of Aavi's founder, together with Ariyanthoruthi Kunhikanimanikyam.
With local material. The craftsman who did the work says about 90 percent of it, including the staircase, the roof work and the furniture, was done by him and his team using locally sourced coconut timber.
Yes. The four Heritage rooms are in the ancestral home: Thira, Chippi and Poyya face the beach, and Kaitha opens to the garden.
Yes. Pets stay with you in the Heritage rooms, up to two pets a room.
To stay in the heritage building, message us on WhatsApp, call +91 8050 640 555, or use the booking form. See all the rooms.
The story of the house, by the Aavi team. Updated November 2026.
