Red Dot Tours | Kerala Hotels

Brunton Boatyard, Cochin

Price Guide: ££

Location

Housed on the site of a 19th century Victorian shipyard belonging to George Brunton & Sons, the Brunton Boatyard hotel was created maintaining its colonial architecture. This is a boutique hotel blending old world charm with modern luxuries. Situated at the edge of an estuary where the vast Vembanad Lake meets the Arabian Sea Brunton Boatyard tells of a fascinating bygone Colonial era in the history of the Malabar Coast. The hotel has magnificent views of the Cochin harbour and numerous islands including Bolghatty and Willingdon. Cochin’s International Airport is 42kms away and the drive takes up 90 minutes during traffic hours.

Introduction

The Malabar Coast with its fertile lands with precious spices including cardamoms, cloves, and pepper, attracted many a sea fearing trader for centuries including the Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, and the British who battled for dominance over this port town of Cochin. With each occupation, Cochin’s landscape changed and the cultural influences remained. Today Fort Cochin is an intriguing mix of cultures, lifestyles, architecture, and cuisine. The Brunton Boatyard brings back to life this intriguing era with photographs, antiques and artifacts all housed within a caringly resurrected 19th century Victorian shipyard. Each and every one of their 22 rooms and even the bathrooms have magnificent views of the estuary where dolphins are often seen showing off in front of the swimming pool terrace. One of several `CGH Earth’ properties across Kerala owned by the Dominic family, Brunton Boatyard is yet another fine example of their vision of providing guests an authentic experience of the surrounding location, it’s culture and heritage, connecting with nature and ecology. `We have discovered ourselves through nature…learnt that less is more…that luxury lies in simplicity…that reality is more enchanting than fantasy and that magic lies in what you already have’ – a deep rooted philosophy of CGH that resonates throughout each and every one of their hotel properties, including Brunton Boatyard.

Photo Gallery

Accommodation

All 22 airconditioned rooms and suites have magnificent harbour views and are tastefully furnished retaining the old world charm with large antique four poster beds, almairahs, and writing desk. The ensuite bathrooms are wonderfully laid out where you can soak in the bathtub and enjoy panoramic views of Cochin harbour. The Harbour Suites are the corner rooms with wonderful views and interiors decorated with antiques and original Colonial era artifacts. These spacious suites have a dining and pantry area. All rooms and suites have a mini-bar, coffee / tea making facility, telephone, electronic safe, room service and laundry service.

Facilities

The main entrance leads you to a large quadrangle with a lush green courtyard in the middle. The corridors of the quadrangle with high timber sloping roofs, massive Teak cross beams, and arches - brings to life a forgotten colonial era. The front part of the quadrangle houses the reception and lounge and is decorated with exquisite antique loungers, spice chests, Punkahs (large horizontal timber and canvass fans of Indo-Portuguese origin), and an antique Billiard table in one corner. Walls are adorned with priceless old porcelain and artifacts, old photographs depicting the original Brunton shipyard, and portraits of the Portuguese sea fearer Vasco da Gama to Kerala’s Maharajas all of whom influenced Cochin’s history. The rear of the quadrangle opening out to the lake, houses the 22 rooms and the side consists of the bar and restaurants – all looking into the central courtyard. The History Café located on the upper floor serves fusion cuisine influenced by the Dutch, Syrian Christian, Anglo-Indian and traditional Kerala culinary styles. The nights take on a magical ambience here with the sounds of the sitar, tablar and flute resonating through. The Terrace Grill overlooking the sea serves fresh seafood bought directly from the trawlers each morning as they come in from the sea. High tea and snacks are served at the outdoor terrace by the side of the Lake or the Armory Bar which is also well stocked to serve up evening cocktails. Portuguese period armoury and old maps adorns the walls of this characterful bar. The swimming pool is located at the edge of the Lake overlooking the hotel’s jetty. Like the other CGH Hotels, Brunton Boatyard also follows a strict eco-friendly philosophy including rain water harvesting and waste management schemes.

Excursions

Take a sunset cruise into the sea in the hotel’s own boat or step out of the hotel doors and into Fort Cochin where fascinating sites and sounds are waiting to be experienced. Traditional Kathakali and Bharathanatyam dance performances are held at the Greenix Village down Kalvathy Road. Go early and catch the intriguing ritual of the Kathakali dancers putting on their make up before their performance. Visit the Mattancherry Palace – once occupied by the local Verma Kings and now a museum that tells of their lifestyle. Verma Kings of Malabar were reputed to be highly tolerant and lived side by side with those of other faiths including the Jewish and Syrian Christians that arrived on this coast in the 15th century. Explore the Jewish Town with its narrow cobbled stone walkways where wayside shops overflow with antiques, silk shawls and Kurtas. The beautiful 16th century Synagogue with intricate chandeliers and porcelain tiled floors stands in a corner of Jewish Town. The Santa Cruz Basilica built by the Portuguese in the 17th century, the Dutch Palace and the St. Francis Church are all well worth a visit. Stroll down to the Vasco da Gama square – a narrow promenade that parallels the beach where huge Chinese fishing nets are carefully tended by fisherman. These large contraptions built out of teak wood and bamboo poles, almost in the shape of a preying-mantis date back to the 14th century and are a familiar sight along the backwaters of Kumarakom and Cochin.

Brunton Boatyard, Cochin South India