Brunton Boatyard Hotel lies on a quite harbour-front, in the heart of Fort Cochin. It is a smart white-washed colonial-style building with sloping red-tiled roofs. The grand lobby is accented by punkahs, traditional Portuguese fans and decorated with a unique collection of seafaring artefacts; antique navigational instruments and ancient maps. The high arched wooden ceiling and terracotta floors tell the story of Brunton Boatyard’s colonial heritage.
The hotel’s 26 rooms are huge and sea facing and many a happy afternoon were spent sitting on the balcony overlooking the busy harbour. I love the way the rooms maintain their character with high four poster beds and old wooden window blinds. Rich woods and crisp linens accent the rooms, reminiscent of the sails and planks of ships. The bathroom is spacious with a separate glass shower and the generous window-side bath, overlooks the Arabian Sea. The four Harbour Suites are elegantly appointed with colonial-era antiques.
Brunton Boatyard Hotel’s History restaurant specialises in local and Anglo-Indian cuisine. Its signature dishes extend from Syria and Goa to the Indian ‘First Class Railway Mutton Curry’. While the Terrace Grill specialises in fresh seafood. The stunning swimming pool located in front of the hotel overlooks the sea. In the surrounds are numerous cultural sights of Fort Cochin or take a longer walk to the riverside lined with Cochin's famous picture-postcard Chinese fishing nets.
Amenities
24hr Room ServiceBar/PubBusiness CentreChildcare ServicesCoffee ShopConciergeFitness CentreGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableYoga Classes/Instruction On SiteStay At Brunton Boatyard there are 26 Rooms in two types; the Standard Rooms and Deluxe Rooms that are larger. Both types are located on the ground or first floor of the hotel with a sea facing private balcony. All rooms have high ceilings, hanging fans and individually decorated with an eclectic blend of English, Portuguese and Dutch influences. Bedrooms are furnished with King Size four-poster bed, large windows with French shutters and views of the sea. In-room amenities include minibar, TV, air-con and Ayurvedic products.
ChildCare Children are welcome to stay at Brunton Boatyard but there are no specific facilities available for them. Babysitting can be arranged upon request. An extra bed can be added to room, if required.
Dine The hotel has two restaurants. Eating at Brunton Boatyard’s History Restaurant is literally a journey through history. Each dish reflects a different community of the region. The restaurant serves continental and Indian cuisine but specialises in local and Goan cuisine and Dutch puddings. Don’t forget to try its signature dish, the ‘First Class Railway Mutton Curry’. Like all sea towns and cities, sea food is much in demand. Try the hotel’s Terrace Grill which specialises in fresh seafood.
An evening at the Brunton Boatyard gravitates towards The Armoury Café; a warm and intimate space, just perfect for a long evening of Sundowners and tall stories. Try a few of the bartender’s special concoctions examine the old flintlocks on the wall and ruminate on life's meaning. In the afternoons spend your time at the tea Lounge for perfect brews and mid-century elegance.
Relax Brunton Boatyard has a stunning swimming pool looking over the sea. There is a billiards table and a tea stall to try the local tea specialities. The hotel also offers free sunset cruise that gives you an opportunity to get close to locals sitting on stilts with their Chinese fishing nets. If you are an aspiring cook then don’t miss the ‘Fusion cooking’ demo at the Boatyard. The chef takes you step-by-step through the secrets behind one of their famous dishes. There is also a small Ayurvedic centre.
One More Thing Geo Brunton and Sons were once among the most respected ship builders in Kochi. The location of their old boatyard was perfect, on a quite harbour-front deep in the heart of Fort Cochin. But once the British left and the business collapsed, the building was in ruins. Then late in the 20th century, it was painstakingly rebuilt using the precise building materials of the time – brick, lime, wood and terracotta and in memory of its past ancestors, they called it the Brunton Boatyard Hotel.
Location Brunton Boatyard is located at the northern edge of Fort Cochin, within easy walking distance of major sights in the heart of the old city.
Getting There Cochin is the nearest airport to Brunton Boatyard, connected by domestic airlines with major Indian cities. You can also fly direct to Cochin International Airport (COK). The Brunton Boatyard Hotel is 42 km from the airport and the drive takes around 50-minutes.
When to go The best time to travel to Kerala is between November and March when temperatures are ideal for the beach and backwaters, while the hills offer a cooler alternative. Summer is hot and humid. June brings in the monsoon season that lasts up to mid-August but it's supposed to be the best time for ayurvedic treatments. During August and September, the temperatures are cooler and it is time for Onam festival. There can be a little rain in the night in October and November.
Destination
Southern, India
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