Sunday 8 July 2012

Fort Kochi Homestays

Staying options in Fort Kochi is varied and from rock bottom basics to the top end luxurious. One is spoilt for choise of stay options - from colonial centuries old mansions, traditional old Kerala houses, newly constructed bungalows and houses view for your attention. Your selection ultimately depends on your affordability and the atmosphere that you want while you are traveling. I have dealt with the Colonial boutqiue mansion hotels in my earlier post. This one would talk about Homestay options that figure on top of my list and would love to patronize them when I am looking for pocket freindly, homely and atmospheric options in the colonial Kochi.

Walton's Homestay
1/39, Walton Hall, Princess Street. Fort Kochi

The finest Home stay for me at colonial Cochin would be Walton's, the house by the side of the Road is located on the charming Princess Street in close vicinty of the Chinese Fish nets. A family run establishment it is a refreshing oasis of peace and tranquility with a garden full of birds. This relaxing and serene home stay is run by philosopher and local historian Christopher Edward Walton, a Catholic family in a centuries old Dutch building. Their friendly and cheerful service is legendary. Their Garden Cottage would be my choice of room any day! 
The rooms are simple (non AC) yet relaxing with period furniture and en-suite bathroom.
Facilities: Yoga classes, Reading Room with extensive collection of newspaper cuttings on the history and culture of Cochin.
Tariff: Ranges from Rs.500 to Rs.1200 depending on the room type and season visited
Walton's Homestay   1/39, Walton Hall, Princess Street, Fort Kochi . Phone: 0484 2215309, Mobile: 9249721935
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>







Raintree Lodge
1/618, Peter Celli Street, Fort Kochi
Raintree Lodge
Tucked away at the far end of quaint Peter Celli Street overlooking the nearby Santa Cruz Basillica is a cosy homestay. The canopy of a large raintree covers the road around the house. The house is a two storied 18th century Dutch mansion converted into a homestay option by the Edgars who also run the Old Harbour Hotel. Some of the rooms have attached balcony, great place to sit and enjoy fresh air overlooking the vast patch of greenery all around.
The rooms are furnished with traditional tile flooring, two poster beds, ensuite bathrooms and private balconies. Other facilities include a lounge room and an open terrace garden overlooking the ancient sites of the town.







They do not serve any food or drinks here which is a dampner for me. However, the famous Cafe Teapot and meal house Shala are just few meters away

Tariff: Ranges from Rs 1500 to Rs.2000 depending on the room type and season visited.
Phone: +91 (484) 3951489. Mobile:+91 98470 29000




<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Fort House Hotel
2/61, Calvathy Road, Fort Kochi
The family run old mansion hotel is located on the waterfront near the Vypen Jetty. Simple yet elegantly furnished airy and air conditioner rooms built around a lush tropical garden each having their own verandah offers view of the garden as well as the waterfront of Cochin harbour. For me the rooms in the old block is a clincher!
pictures_forthousehotel
                                         Tropical Garden and large trees provide green cover

pictures_forthousehotel
                                      The rooms open in the central courtyard with long verandah
They run a fairly decent Arca Nova Restaurant by the water front and serve freshest sea foods including Kerala Latin Christian cuisnes in a serene atmosphere.
Facilities: Multicuisine Restaurant and spa.
Tariff: Ranges from Rs. 1500 to 3500 depending on the room type and season of visit
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Fort Heritage
1/283, Napier Street, Fort Kochi
A 17th century Dutch mansion converted into a heritage homestay is run by the local syrian Christian family. The mansion has been restored to cater to the comforts of traveler yet retained the basic features of the heritage mansion that it is. A two storied building with rooms opening in the inner courtyard with large varandah on both the floors are airy and simply spacious.
Rooms are airconditioned and furnished with period furnitures and its walls adorn period paintings. Their inhouse restaurant The Heritage Zone serves the local Syrian Christian, Continental, Chinese and Indian barbeque food.  The Silent Night Lawn is great place for breakfast and dinner. 
Facilities: Fine Dining, Spa
Tariff:
Fort Heritage 1/283, Napier Street, Fort Kochi. Phone: 0484 2215333 / 221 5455. Mobile:       Email: Email: fortheritage@sify.com

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Leelu Homes
Quiros Street, Behind Head Post Office. Fort Kochi
Mrs Leelu Roy runs a fairly decent, simple, pocket freindly and cheerfully decorated homestay from her family home located behind St Francis Church and GPO. A former colonial hosue has been tastefully furnished and altered to cater to the needs of a traveler. They offer 7 rooms with en suite bathroom. Breakfast is served.
Facilities: Cookery Classes
Tariff: Ranges from Rs.600 to Rs.2200 depending on the room type and season visited.
Leelu Homes   Phone: 0484 2215377. Mobile: 9846055377. Email: simonroy@hotmail.com

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
<><><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
Chiramel Residency
1/296, Lilly Street. Fort Kochi

The rambling teakwood mansion was built by the Dutch in the 17th century. The mansion offers chinese porcelian mosaic floor at the entrance. A backyard garden, a roof top garden. Spacious and airy rooms with teakwood floor, high and lofty ceilings with en suite bathroom and private sit out is what a traveler needs for a relaxing homestay.
The 5 rooms are carefully restored and provide a/c as well as non a/c accomodation. Rooms are tastefully furnished in large teakwood beds.
Tariff:
Chiramel Homestay Phone: 0484 2217310 / 2217311. Mobile: 9447818930. Email: chiramelhomestay@yahoo.co.in
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Orion Hometsay
K L Master Road, Near Santa Cruz Basilica. Fort Kochi

Orion is an enchanting homestay located in the heart of Fort Cochin. The home's peaceful character is accentuated by its zen-inspired garden and pristine white exteriors. It is run by the young couple Mr. and Mrs. Verghese.
The newly constructed homestay has traditional Keralite architecture with little dashes of modern interiors. The three-year old homestay has four, impeccably maintained bedrooms, all with private balconies overseeing the city. It also has a lush, green lawn and three other communal areas for the guests to enjoy.
Verghese also has an efficient staff of three, which helps look after the needs of the guests. And the couple places a lot of importance on feedback, constantly improving their services based on their guests’ experience. Meals cna be arranged - Lunch: Veg - INR 250; Non Veg- INR 300 Dinner: Veg - INR 250; Non Veg- INR 300
Tariff: Rs.2000





































View of home
                                                Orion Residency and its green lawns
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Spencer Home
1/298 Parade Road. Fort Kochi

A Portuguese colonial house sits in the quieter part of Fort Kochi on Parade Ground Road. It offers 11 simple yet comfortable rooms which opens onto the garden in the inner courtyard. Some rooms alos have view of the Parade Ground. The Verandah garden provides a cosy sitting space for the guests to relax.


Facilities:
Tariff:
Spencer Home   Phone: 484 2215049. Email: spencerhomestyfc@rediffmail.com

No comments: