The magical city of Kochi is a must for a romantic getaway in Kerala, India. A cosmopolitan city with influences over the centuries from traders far and wide and from the colonial times of the Portuguese, Dutch and British, Kochi, and precisely its historic Fort Kochi district, offers visitors fascinating history, charming architecture, a pretty seaside location and excellent boutiques, cafés and restaurants. In the heart of this is the Forte Kochi, an exquisite boutique hotel occupying a wonderfully restored historic private mansion. Step inside one of the best heritage hotels in India below!
A Heritage Hotel Rich in History
Located on vibrant Princess Street, the hotel is found within a structure originally built by the Portuguese in the 1800s. Like most buildings in Fort Kochi, it most certain passed through the hands of the Dutch and the British, who all left their mark on the building, before it was bought and restructured into a home by the Jew trader, Samuel Koder. Over the decades his opulent home fell into demise and was eventually split into three and sold off as separate properties. In a ruinous state, the central section was recently entirely restored and returned to its past glory in this new incarnation as a heritage hotel. Architectural elements and special features of the original building have been maintained and are nicely paired with antiques, artwork, tiles, stained glass and other traditional craftsmanship.
A Gorgeous Pool, Courtyard & Terraces
A welcome delight on hot days, after you’ve finished your sightseeing around Fort Kochi, you can relax next to the hotel’s splendid pool. It has a wonderful terrace for sunbathing or plenty of seating in the shade. The terrace is also home to two intriguing fountains which you can discover during your stay. One of these is known as a Mikwah, where the Koders conducted religious cleansing rituals. The hotel’s second floor has several other common areas, including an elegant sitting room decorated in antiques and lovely arm chairs, an open terrace overlooking a covered bridge which used to connect to the next door building and some other cozy nooks with sofas.
Renowned Jetty Restaurant
The hotel is home to one of Fort Kochi’s top restaurants. As it’s name suggests, The Jetty specializes in seafood, however, its extensive menu has a wide variety of British, pan-European, Indian and local Kerala dishes to please all tastes. You can enjoy this refined cuisine in the attractive dining room or in the courtyard overlooking the pool. Beautifully lit in the evening, this is the perfect place for a romantic dinner, plus they often have musical entertainment to accompany your meal. The hotel also has a nice bar on the way out to the pool for a refreshing break indoors.
Beautiful & Spacious Guest Rooms
The hotel has 27 rooms which feature top luxury amenities and a tasteful colonial-style decor. Each room is unique and has beautiful details such as tinted windows, solid wooden furniture, wicker sofas and four-poster beds. There are Classic Rooms and more spacious Imperial King Rooms, but for the perfect romantic getaway, I suggest booking the exceptional Sovereign Suite. The vast suite has a king-sized four-poster bed, cozy window seats, plush sofas and a fabulous soaking tub in the large bathroom.
From its alluring ambiance to its fantastic amenities, we had a wonderful stay at The Forte Kochi and couldn’t have asked for a better and more enchanting base for exploring Kochi!
