The Old Courtyard Hotel

Press Reviews

Fodor's
"Slightly decrepit but still charming, this late-18th-century refurbished mansion in the heart of Fort Cochin has eight rooms overlooking a central courtyard. Suites are enormous, with wood floors and ceilings, antique furnishings, and tub baths. Some rooms have air-conditioning, others fans. Pros: restaurant menu has both Continental and Kerala options, great location, friendly staff. Cons: a little worn around the edges, basic accommodations without phones or Internet."

Frommer's
"This pleasant, intimate heritage hotel, located in a 200-year-old Portuguese mansion in the heart of Fort Kochi's quiet back streets, has a charming, authentic atmosphere and is relatively well maintained; best of all, accommodations are well priced. Each of the eight guest rooms -- located on two floors in wings that lead off a central cobblestone courtyard -- is different, but all have wooden floors and high-beamed ceilings, and most are furnished largely with antique furniture. Adjacent to the courtyard is a semi-enclosed restaurant serving a wide range of cuisines; traditional dances are performed here during the season. Premium rooms and suites have lovely original Portuguese four-poster beds and large, clean bathrooms (the cheapest room is strictly for bargain-hunters). A good option if you're looking for a real heritage atmosphere, but service and lack of pool are drawbacks."

Guest Reviews

Reviews are only from people who have stayed there and booked through i-escape.

• “The Old Courtyard was a really nice hotel. Generally the staff were friendly and attentive. The rooms were lovely and the food was good and the waiters were really nice too.”
  Shiran, Switzerland (01.02.12)

• “A delightful haven in the midst of Fort Kochi's shops, restaurants & site-seeing. The food was good but we also enjoyed Shala, Kashi & Malabar House for a quiet coffee - round the corner are FabIndia & Anokhi (old favourites) for clothing & textiles.
  Rose and her staff were so friendly and helpful - even when we returned a week later to collect a forgotten hat!”
  Alan, United Kingdom (28.01.12)

• “The service was excellent, wonderful staff with one gentleman in particular who helped us to organise airport taxi etc. He runs a small travel desk in the hotel, but seems to take it as his personal responsibility that everyone in the hotel is happy and well looked after. Disliked the paper thin walls between the rooms. We could hear everything going on next door, but it wasn't that big a deal.”
  Ruth, Ireland (08.12.11)

• “Simply magic. The Old Courtyard Hotel is rich in character, from the climbing staircases to the steep walls of the courtyard to the elegant, orderly archways and details of blue and white tiles. It's perfectly positioned for a stay in Fort Cochin, just a stroll to some classic Cochin locations and experiences including the fishing nets and St Francis. We loved our breakfasts in the cafe-resaurant downstairs: always a juice and a plate of fresh fruit (different every morning) with delicious eggs and toast which the kids loved and Keralan style breakfasts for us - great stuff! Our rooms (and we stayed in different rooms at the beginning of our holiday and then again at the end) were furnished with some extraordinary bits and pieces: romantic beds and fascinating cabinets. I will always have fond memories of sitting at the chess tables on the top balcony, looking down at kittens playing on the roof of the other wing, and our kids making themselves at home in the courtyard below. BUT best of all this was the staff. What an absolutely lovely bunch of people they are - helpful and warm and friendly and kind. We felt so much at home and so well looked after and we were given great tips on what to do, not just in Cochin but in other parts of Kerala, too. Highly recommended!”
  Julia, Australia (30.09.11)

• “Everyone was helpful. We loved the fruit at 5 pm and the musicians.
  Thank you for making us so welcome!”
  paul, United Kingdom (24.03.11)

• “My room was directly above the kitchen with a direct view into. Whilst the room once inside was clean and had its own unique charm, the kitchen didn’t.
  Unfortunately I was given ‘the pokey room’at the top of the spiral staircase. Whilst I don’t have any specific complaints, I felt the room was expensive and wouldn’t recommend.
  
  There is great shopping in Fort Cochin and some really good restaurants – Kashi café for good western sandwiches and homemade cakes and good coffee (rare across India in general); had a very relaxed feel to it. Teapot was another quirky little restaurant with a small menu but good simple food at Indian prices.
  
  Unfortunately I was given ‘the pokey room’at the top of the spiral staircase. Whilst I don’t have any specific complaints, I felt the room was expensive and wouldn’t recommend. It didn’t feel as if I was being charged for a budget option – in fact the reverse. In future I would stay at one of the many interesting and far cheaper lodges or homestays for half the price.”
  Sarah, United Kingdom (12.01.11)

• “Great location in the heart of old Fort Cochin, loads of charm and atmosphere. Rooms furnished with antiques, polished wooden floors, impeccable housekeeping. Despite raving reviews, we were not overly impressed by the food at the very popular open-air restaurant in the courtyard.”
  Francesca, Italy (05.01.11)

• “We loved the live traditional music played in the restaurant every night, however, we were interested in eating authentic Indian vegetarian food so had to eat elsewhere most of the time. The vegetarian food offered was not Indian. The room was great and so was the service.”
  Mary, United States (31.12.10)

• “Some of the rooms as previously reviewed are a little tired. We stayed in Room 2 which had quite a lot of damp however it is such an old atmospheric hotel it didnt matter. Also the courtyard was in need of a fresh coat of paint and more mozzie coils to keep the little blighters away! Service was charming.”
  Nicola, United Kingdom (22.10.10)

• “Was disappointed with the food seeing that the guide books had recommended it. Waiters were not on the ball!”
  Jan, United Kingdom (16.07.10)