This atmospheric heritage hotel has a cooling courtyard pool as its hub, with chairs dotted around to take respite in the shade. It is both elegant and old (over 200 years to be precise), having been built by the Portuguese when Cochin was their window to the spice trade.
Follow the grand wooden staircase to the guest rooms - all 11 vary in size and price but are charmingly decorated with air-conditioning and solar power. Step outside and you have spice shops, Chinese fishing nets, a Dutch palace and India’s oldest church on your doorstep. Ayurvedic treatments are only a short walk away and there's a pool in the enclosed courtyard to cool off in. The ideal base for history buffs and those looking for historic style, peace and Keralan culture amidst the bustle of Fort Cochin.
Highs
- A charming 200-year-old building full of original decorative details, antiques and artwork (it features on many Cochin guided tours as a result)
- Within ambling distance of Fort Cochin’s deservedly-famous Chinese fishing nets and other attractions
- Staff were wonderful, caring and kind during our last visit
- Atmosphere is provided by sparrows fluttering and cheeping through the eaves
- Great value rates
Lows
- Towards the end of the season the nets, curtains, towels and walls start to look tired, but this is reflected in the prices
- There’s no room service, restaurant or alcohol licence, but there is a nice café for light snacks
- Rooms are simple, so it's definitely worth booking a higher room category if you can
- If you have an early start, the pre-ordered breakfasts don't always arrive
- There’s no communal lounge area with comfortable seating
Best time to go
November to March is the peak time for visitors: the weather is dry rather than humid and not too hot. The much quieter monsoon season (December to February) is a good time for taking an Ayurvedic treatment course nearby, as you’re supposed to rest up between appointments anyway. October and April could offer the best of both worlds, if you’re lucky.
Our top tips
Be sure to catch the sun setting through the shapes of the famous Chinese fishing nets on the nearby northern shores - it’s a magical sight.
- Boutique Hotel
- 11 rooms
- Restaurants nearby
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- On the beach
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Courtyard
Rooms
All 11 guest rooms overlook the central courtyard and pool, most of them reached by an ancient teak staircase complete with eaten-away holes (though we’re assured it’s checked regularly and is completely safe!). They range in size, with the largest being the Suite complete with sitting room, a wealth of antiques and a tiny balcony off its bathroom.
Our Standard Room was clean and comfortable, and all rooms share varnished wooden floors and ceilings, mosquito-netted beds, antiques, ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning. They're not in immaculate condition (think simple and historic rather than luxurious) but the reasonable rates reflect this.
Whichever room you book, say hello to the resident ghost. But don’t worry. The overall ambience is positive and relaxed - a relief after the frenetic pace of Fort Cochin.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast can be a familiar continental spread or an Indian kick-starter - the options change each day of the week to provide variety. On our last visit we tucked into dhosas (thin pancakes) with vegetable stew, daily changings fresh juices, and really good Keralan coffee (a great to help with the jet lag).
Although The Old Courtyard Hotel does not have a restaurant, they do have a lovely street-side café where you can enjoy light sandwiches, gelato, and tasty European-style cakes made by owner Rose herself.
Nearby dining alternatives include the boutique Brunton Boatyard Hotel, or Dal Roti restaurant (famous for its North Indian food). Around the corner are a string of delightful simple outdoor eateries featuring fresh Keralan food at incredible value (look for the tall tree decorated with crab shells). The many waterfront stalls which cook your chosen catch-of-the-day as you watch are also highly-recommended.
Features include:
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Spend a day and night chugging through the wide Kerala backwaters on a traditional houseboat, with smaller snakeboats taking you down village channels
- Catch martial arts displays and music concerts at the nearby cultural centre
- Tour Mattancherry Palace, a 16th-century Dutch building whose interior quad now houses a Hindu temple
- See India’s oldest European church, the 16th-century St Francis, which is only a few minutes' walk from the hotel
- Browse through atmospheric shops selling spices and crafts, and explore the weekly antique market
- Take a cab to the not very PC-sounding Jewtown (3km away) for mirrors and hand-woven bedspreads
- Relax with an Ayurvedic massage or treatment at one of the local centres, or submerge yourself in the pool after a day's explorations
- Hop on a cruise boat or ferry to islands such as Bolghatty, which has an 18th-century palace and a pre-bookable golf course
- Visit the huge and houseboat-dotted Vembanad lake (an hour’s drive away)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Golf
- Shopping / markets
Kids
All ages are welcome, note that we think it isn't the best option for young children due to the potentially hazardous stairs and the quiet atmosphere – though there is a central pool.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Suites and Deluxe Rooms have space for a baby cot or an extra bed (additional charges apply).
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitters and childminders are available, request in advance.
Baby equipment:
One baby cot to borrow, request in advance
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Families Should Know:
The courtyard pool is unfenced and has steps.
Distances:
- Airport: 1hr 20m
- Hospital: 40 mins
- Shops: 1 minute
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Old Courtyard Hotel is right in the centre of Fort Cochin (Kochi) in southern India.
By Air
Cochin (Kochi) International (42km) is the closest airport. Kerala's other international airport, Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram, is 200km south of Cochin, though it is easily accessible by rail or car.
From the Airport
The hotel can book a taxi for you - make sure you ask for one with air-conditioning. Or you can catch a taxi at the airport rank - just be sure to agree a price before you get in.
By Train
If you're in India already, you can catch a train to Ernakulam Station (14km away) or Fort Cochin from most destinations. From there it's easy to catch a taxi to The Old Courtyard Hotel.
Getting Around
Many of Cochin's sights are within walking distance and rickshaws are a cheap and convenient way of getting around. The hotel can help when booking taxis.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Kerala and getting around
Airports:
- Cochin International 42.0 km COK
- Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram International 200.0 km TRV
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km