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Malabar House is a charming small boutique hotel, set in the heart of Fort Cochin in Kerala, on India’s southwest coast. Located opposite St. Francis Church, the house comprises of two 18th-century Dutch colonial-style villas built around a courtyard. Owned and operated by German designer-turned-hotelier Joerg Drechsel and his Spanish wife Txuku Iriarte, who have painstakingly converted this heritage property into a luxury hotel with all the modern facilities.
There are just 17 rooms and suites at the Malabar House. There include five Garden Suites situated on the first floor which are most spacious and eleven Deluxe Rooms on the ground floor. All are elegantly decorated with four-poster beds, Tanjore paintings, reclaimed wooden pillars, and dotted with antique & contemporary objects d’art. Sitting areas have a large window with blinds that revealed a private patio and ensuite bathrooms come with both a bath and shower.
At the heart of Malabar House is a courtyard with a frangipani tree and swimming pool, around which the rooms are laid out. The al fresco section has the Malabar Junction restaurant, known for its exceptional food, a blend of Mediterranean, Indian and local cuisine. In the surrounds, guests can visit the Fort, the St. Francis Church and walk down to the coast to see local fishermen using the Chinese fishing nets. You can also take cruises to explore the backwaters of Kerala.
Amenities
Stay The Malabar House has 17 rooms and suites. These include five Roof Garden Suites on the 1st floor which provide a spacious outdoor private terrace with a sitting area. There are also eleven Deluxe Rooms on the ground floor. All rooms vary in size and design but most are furnished in traditional style with polished chip-marble floors, plush four-poster beds and scattered with antiques. The ensuite bathrooms have both bath and shower with organic toiletries.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Malabar House, but there are no specific facilities available for children. However, babysitting service can be arranged, on request.
Dine Dining at the Malabar House is a gourmet affair. The Relais & Chateaux trained Chef Dinendran from Kerala with an experience in the UK, uses his skills of contemporary cooking style to create an innovative Keralan cuisine. The garden restaurant, Malabar Junction, offers fresh seafood with a blend of regional and Mediterranean flavours. Additionally, there is a wine bar with an extensive wine list, celebrating many Indian vintages.
Relax Facilities at the Malabar House include a small swimming pool with sun loungers. The Ayurvedic Spa uses techniques honed over hundreds of years to provide guests with treatments and oil massages to focus on all-round wellbeing.
Experience Guests at the Malabar House are well positioned to wander into the historic Fort Cochin and also visit St Francis Church located opposite the hotel. You are also just three minutes from the Chinese fishing nets, or you can take a boat trip in the backwaters.
Location The Malabar House is in the heart of historical Fort Cochin opposite St. Francis Church and a 3-minute walk to the Chinese fishing nets.
Getting there Fly to Cochin International Airport. Malabar House is 1-hour from the airport.
When to go Isolated from much of India by the Western Ghats, the climate of Kerala & Karnataka is tropical. The best time to visit is from January through to April. Summer is hot and humid; the monsoon season arrives in early June and lasts till August. While September can be dry and humid. There can be a little rain in October and November, cooling off around December and lasting until February.
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June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
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