A king amongst hotels (Taj Malabar (Cochin, India))

Member Name: smudge377

Product:	Taj Malabar (Cochin, India)
Date:	09/02/09 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Really classy, understated hotel

Disadvantages: Its not cheap, but hey you only live once

Having just returned from a trip to S India I felt compelled to write a review of our stay at the Taj Malabar, Cochin.

We opted to splash out, and on our first night, before we flew out to the Lakshadweep islands, we chose to stay in the Executive suite. It was not cheap, the room was 17,500 rupees ( approx £250.00), but it was worth every penny.
Our flight arrives in at 4am, and we arranged for collection at the airport (about 1 hrs dive away). We were met at arrivals by James, our chaffeur, who loaded our cay, gave us cool flannels, and cold water for the trip. He then put his chaffeurs hat on and drove us to the hotel. Well worth the £20.00. We were at the hotel by 6am, and although check in isn't till 2pm, they took us to a spare room to rest, until our room was available- which was 10am.

Our suite had a large bedroom, with huge 4 poster bed, plus flat screen tv and dvd player. The bedlinen was the softest I have ever felt. While you were at dinner, the staff came and cleaned your room again, and turned your bed down.

The lounge also had TV/DVD, sofa and chairs, mini bar, all the newspapers and complimentary fruit bowl.

The bathroom was out of this world with huge double person bath, rain shower, double sinks. And plenty of extras, as well as the normal soap(which was sugar soap and fantastic)shampoo and bath stuff, also toothbrushes and toothpaste, razor and shaving foam, flannels, loofah, moisturiser, slippers, shower cap, and big fluffy bathrobes.

For the second part of our stauy their we stayed in a deluxe sunset heritage room, which was very elegant, and dates back to to 1930's.
All the same facilities as suite, but bathroom slightly less impressive, and only a bedroom. No balcony either. However, you would still feel very comfortable staying there.

The whole place gives an air of understated elegance, without being showy. The staff cannot do enough to help, and are charming.
The travel concierge is really helpful too. They arranged a trip for us on the keralan backwaters, on a riceboat, but as their main one was in use, we got the luxury delux riceboat. It had 3 bedrooms, a lounge, shower room, and upstairs deck with dining facilites, and a day bed. They also arranged a driver to take us there an bring us back. The meal on board was all made fresh, and we had 3 servants, for 2 of us. Again, not cheap, but fantastic trip- cost about £200 for the 2 of us.

The infinity pool at the Taj merges with the arabian sea, and is beautifully clean, but would say, slightly chilly.

The Jiva Spa was outstanding, my hubbie and i had a relaxing aromatherapy massage, for 2, including oil foot bath. The therapists were very professional and me had a steam bath before the massage. For an hour for 2 of us £70.00.

We ate in the outside restaurant which did an indian bbq, and N Indian dishes, which we had to wash down with some champagne !.

We also ate at Peppers restaurant, which slightly lacked atmosphere, and I didn't enjoy food quite so much.

The pool bar also did nice snack lunches, club sandwiches/wraps etc

Room service was great and we ate on our balcony once.

The Mattencherry bar, is full of dark wood and comfie sofas, very atmospheric.

Every evening they do a free cruise of cochin harbour at sunset, with tea and biscuits before you go.
There is also an exhibtion of cultural Kathkali dancing at 7.30pm in the garden.

All in all this really is a first class hotel, which is now having to have extreme security, following the attack in Mumbai. It doesn't however detract from a wonderful experience in a classy hotel, which knows how to treat a client.
We will certainly go back

Summary: Highly recommended for a bit of luxury pampering