The Malabar House in Fort Kochi is a welcoming space with its off-the-radar location, private pool, and a heritage history that traces all the way back to 1755. The in-house dining options include a wine bar and candlelit dinner with a side of performance art. The Malabar House's colonial history dates back all the way to 1755 and by 1997 it was Fort Cochin's first heritage boutique hotel. Cut to present, the charming property retains all the colonial charm with a blend of contemporary designs and amenities. The property consists of two independent villas connected by an open courtyard with a blooming tree and plenty of greens shading a small pool that’s just about perfect to dip your toes in while enjoying Kochi’s warm breeze.
With a total of 17 rooms, for the best views, we recommend huge Duplex Malabar Suite or one of the five Roof Garden Suites on the top floor. They offer the best views and is lavishly decorated with traditional and colonial antiquities such as carved cabinets, lamp stands, and paintings. The Garden Suites come with their own private balcony furnished with easy chairs for you to lounge on for an afternoon siesta. Purespa, the in-house spa centre, specialises in Kalaripayyattu techniques which are perfect for short stays.
For meals, you don't have to venture out as the in-house al fresco restaurant Malabar Junction serves a vibrant combination of South Indian and Western fares, with the seafood delicacies that set this place apart. The Tiger Prawn Biryani, highly recommended, is the restaurant’s take on Malabar Biryani. Divine, the wine lounge, focuses on Indian wines (red, white, and sparkling) with an array of tapas, so head there for some light drinking. Or you could have a candlelit dinner out by the patio overlooking the pool.
