Arrival/Check-in: The monsoon had just begun when I arrived in Cochin, so the covered hotel entrance was welcome. An attentive attendant greeted me, offering a cold towel and a piece of chocolate before seating me comfortably in the lobby while my check-in was processed. The main building, lobby and several guestrooms of the Taj Malabar are located in a 1935 lodge on Willingdon Island, connected to the mainland by a short causeway. The lobby preserves its early 20th-century character: dark and cozy, illuminated by wall sconces, with a wood-paneled ceiling and dark wood furniture. A step up from the lobby, the bar offers an equally inviting atmosphere. Within minutes I was climbing the creaky wooden staircase to my second-floor room, appreciating the hotel’s historical charm. (30/30)
Guest Quarters: Although the Taj Malabar is marketed as a five-star property, the lodge ambiance continues into the guestrooms. My twin-bedded room (true twin beds rather than two doubles) retained the lodge’s traditional feel. The bathroom was immediately to the right of the entry, opposite a wall of closets and storage cubbies. The twin beds shared a central nightstand, and a flat-screen TV was mounted above a run of cabinets and a desk. An armchair in the corner offered a pleasant view of the lake. When I requested an iron and board, none were available, but the hotel provided free pressing service and managed to spot-clean a muddy smear from a pair of white pants — a welcome solution during monsoon season. The furnishings could be improved (the mattress was very firm and the pillows were dense foam), but service throughout my stay was consistently excellent. (26/30)
Services/Amenities: In addition to the historic main lodge, the property includes a seven-story guest wing added in the 1970s. On a brief tour, rooms in the newer wing appeared slightly smaller but maintained the same overall décor. Dining options are varied: Rice Boat, designed to resemble a traditional Keralan kettuvallam, emphasizes fresh seafood; Pepper offers all-day dining with breakfast and lunch buffets and a five-course dinner menu; Thai Pavilion features Thai specialties prepared with herbs from the hotel garden; and Dolphin’s Point is an al fresco spot for grilled seafood and kebabs. I also experienced a treatment at the Taj Spa. While parts of the facility showed wear — towels that needed replacing and a scheduling mix-up that led to sharing a large but divided treatment room — the therapy itself was exceptional and professionally delivered. (35/40)
The Experience: While some elements of the accommodations reveal the property’s age and lodge-style roots, Taj Malabar Cochin delivers attentive service and a strong sense of heritage that align with its five-star reputation.
Total Score: (91/100)
Taj Malabar Cochin
Willingdon Island
Cochin 682 009 Kerala, India
tel 91 484 2666811
http://www.tajhotels.com