The high ceilings, the whitewashed walls, the teak beams and stairways, the graceful arches and the spacious verandah garden, all have the magical effect of transporting you into colonial times long gone by. The warmth of the people running the property (a 300 year oldbuilding) is genuine and there is a distinctive "Kerala" feel about the place - the women in their cream and gold sarees, the men with their broad smiles and Mallu accents, the faint fragrance of jasmine in the air. The rooms are generously proportioned, with distinctive names (Napier, Burgher, etc) and not numbers , the bathrooms are seeingly designed for royalty and the restaurant that spills into the garden serves local delicacies and European fare. If you are a vegetarian and crave South Indian fare (as we did), you will be disappointed, but there are several options in the neighbourhood. The location is perfect...10 minutes (on foot) to St. Francis Cathedral and 5 min to the Chinese fishing nets. I know I'll be back again here.

Right in the heart of old Cochin...walk out the front door and you have the Chinese nets and fish stalls. Yet inside this old colonial house are fantastic, historic rooms, air con and mod cons, but individually decorated and with great art and furniture. A unique boutique hotel. Downstairs is a fab restaurant, gardens, and pool, all right in the heart of the old town. The hotel is small'ish but really delivers. One of the best hotels I have stayed in anywhere, and certainly in India. Great service and staff.

We have just returned to the UK after our second stay at "Old Harbour" and our previous impressions of the hotel were more than confirmed. We stayed for 5 nights and this really is a home-from-home. The hotel has a relaxed, very friendly atmosphere but imposes the highest standards for all of it's services. The staff are all proactive and provide a service which would be appreciated in a 5 star establishment. Thanks and congratulations are in order to Jude and Vineeta who are always to be found in the reception area. The restaurant provides the best food in Fort Kochi - we have tried nearly all of the up-market restaurants in the area - and offers a good range of the best of Indian wines. "Old Harbour" is ideally situated for exploring Fort Kochi and it is a real gem, providing a peaceful haven in the centre of the old town. It offers a charming garden and attractive pool. Outdoor evening dining is a delight with the hotel providing local India musicians.
Needless to stay, we will be back!

Someone from another hotel we stayed in booked this for us and what a great surprise. We got the suite at the front on the pool side, huge room with great sunroom overlooking the park, good for watching the goings on below! Food quite western but good quality and value. Nice pool, lovely sitting under the giant mango tree.