This heritage structure promoted by the Grahasthali Project and approved by the Department of Tourism has preserved and maintained its traditional architecture, and way of life. This 100-year-old structure was home to the famous Malayalam writer Malayattoor Ramakrishnan, which is now owned and maintained by a couple and are the hosts to visitors coming to the Illam.

Thani Illam (short form of Thannikkatt Illam) means the original home of a Brahmin family. At the Illam visitors are served only vegetarian cuisine and no liquor is allowed inside the house. Highly flexible approach to a visitor's activity program, which depends entirely on the visitor's interests and needs, makes Thanni Illam a home away from home. The Illam currently offers two rooms viz. Thekkini and Kulappura. Thekkini is located on the South side and hence the name Thekkini (Thekk means South). The second room, Kulappura, is situated on top of the car porch. Originally, it was the room above an internal pond specifically for ladies of the house. Kulam means pond/pool and pura means room/ house.