It’s worth spending a few weeks touring India’s most hectic cities in order to full appreciate the peace and tranquillity which abounds in the beautiful boutique oasis that is the Malabar House. We arrived dusty and tired, but after cleaning up in the beautiful bathroom (with semi-sunken bathtub) and ordering a sweet lime iced tea in the leafy courtyard we were ready to peruse the spa and dinner menu.
The small spa (independently run) sits on an upper floor, across from the very un-Indian trendy wine bar. Two masseuses offered the Shirodhara, a treatment in which herbal oil is poured in a rhythmic manner on the forehead for over an hour. Blissed out, we proceeded for a short walk around Fort Cochin, the fishing village and former thriving spice trading post on the Malabar Coast. The town is tourist friendly and contains all manner of cute gift shops as well as cafes, some bars and a few decent restaurants.
As we didn’t come across any menu to rival Malabar Junction, the restaurant at the Malabar House, we headed back to the hotel to find that the food completely lived up to its billing. Western dishes such as an excellent Salad Nicoise, Ravioli and Aubergine Parmigiana compete with wonderful local seafood dishes, and only the wine list lacked scope, though this is to be expected in India.
A romantic haven for couples or honeymooners, or a wonderful retreat during a tour of India, the Malabar House has beautiful design touches, attentive but unobtrusive staff and fantastic food. Highly recommended.
Essential information
Rooms 17
Rate From €150 to €360, breakfast included
Check-out Midday; check-in, midday
Facilities Free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, travel desk, money changing, walking map through Fort Cochin, free bicycles, Ayurvedic spa
Also The Malabar Escapes, homestays and boats for even more secluded luxury
Visit www.malabarhouse.com for more
The small spa (independently run) sits on an upper floor, across from the very un-Indian trendy wine bar. Two masseuses offered the Shirodhara, a treatment in which herbal oil is poured in a rhythmic manner on the forehead for over an hour. Blissed out, we proceeded for a short walk around Fort Cochin, the fishing village and former thriving spice trading post on the Malabar Coast. The town is tourist friendly and contains all manner of cute gift shops as well as cafes, some bars and a few decent restaurants.
As we didn’t come across any menu to rival Malabar Junction, the restaurant at the Malabar House, we headed back to the hotel to find that the food completely lived up to its billing. Western dishes such as an excellent Salad Nicoise, Ravioli and Aubergine Parmigiana compete with wonderful local seafood dishes, and only the wine list lacked scope, though this is to be expected in India.
A romantic haven for couples or honeymooners, or a wonderful retreat during a tour of India, the Malabar House has beautiful design touches, attentive but unobtrusive staff and fantastic food. Highly recommended.
Essential information
Rooms 17
Rate From €150 to €360, breakfast included
Check-out Midday; check-in, midday
Facilities Free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, travel desk, money changing, walking map through Fort Cochin, free bicycles, Ayurvedic spa
Also The Malabar Escapes, homestays and boats for even more secluded luxury
Visit www.malabarhouse.com for more
Malabar House
Fort Cochin, India
Fort Cochin, India
