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 About
us: We are people who have a special interest in the heritage and culture of
Fort Cochin. Having been raised in this town, to us Fort Cochin and its ancient
monuments are more than just a tourist attraction. Originally involved in
business, we decided to follow our passion, which inspired us to take up the
preservation of Old Harbour House. And thus, this boutique hotel has been
created with much passion and love. Love for this antique structure and love for
Fort Cochin. We believe, as our guests, you should experience the ancient in a
profound manner, in all its charm and beauty.
Profile: At the heart of ancient Fort Cochin,
Kerala, a place that exudes history and culture, is the 'Old Harbour Hotel'. A
300 year-old building that has for long been a heritage monument of this town,
now reopened as a boutique hotel. Built in the Dutch style of architecture with
hints of Portuguese influences, it was the first hotel of old Cochin. Later it
remained a residential home to employees of English tea-broking firms until it
was left unused for a period of time.
Restoration: When we chanced upon this charming
structure with its fine lines of architecture and immense grandeur, we believed
its revival would allow one to re-live a glorious past. This led us to the
restoration of what was known as the Old Harbour House into a hotel of style and
leisure, keeping the original façade and architectural elements intact, to bring
alive the old hotel of previous sea- farers.
Our architect Karl Damschen, a specialist in restoration of ancient buildings,
has paid close attention to every minute detail, making sure of the preservation
of the building and its natural surroundings. However, to ensure our guests a
comfortable stay, we have also adhered to all modern amenities.
Rooms: The interiors of our hotel, designed and
decorated by Karl Damschen and Tanya Abraham, is an eclectic blend of dated
furniture and varied art that juxtapose to create a unique style. Our thirteen
spacious rooms, each of them named after the various old streets of Fort Cochin,
are plush with high ceilings and either look into a courtyard with a fountain or
over the ancient Chinese Fishing nets. Our special garden cottages, which were
added to offer a feel of Kerala, have open-to-the-sky showers, a veranda and a
private pond. We also have a large garden with a swimming pool as well as a
stage for cultural performances, all of it set amidst plenty of natural green.
For the comfort of our guests, there is an Ayurvedic spa and a large open-air
terrace. We are aware that our guests are special and to ensure this, care has
been paid to organic soaps and lotions in the bathrooms, comfortable robes and
slippers as well as plenty of bottled water.
Restaurants: Food has always been an important
criterion for us. At our restaurant, we ensure that only the freshest of foods
are offered at all times. Home made breads and plenty of freshly squeezed juices
are a priority here. Only organically grown vegetables are used, while the meats
are of the highest quality available. As the hotel rests close to the fishing
nets, we believe our guests would want to enjoy a variety of seafood. For this,
we have a special seafood menu with a barbecue every night in the garden. Our
chef has also painstakingly conjured up an array of dishes to suit various taste
palates.
....Room View....
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