KODER HOUSE BOUTIQUE HOTEL
FORT KOCHI
USP: The spacious interiors which look out yonder to the sea
The quaint, red-and-white Koder House has history lurking behind every brick. Not surprisingly, this beach-side, three-storeyed building is on INTACH's list of heritage sites.
Owned by the Jewish Koder family, it was constructed in 1808. Sabatai Samuel Koder was the last in the family to own the place, and Vicky Raj, is the current owner.
In 2005, Vicky turned it into a boutique hotel with six plush suites, two on each floor. Each suite is differently designed, and four of them have balconies overlooking the Chinese fishing nets on the beach. The 800-sq.ft suites are luxurious, with wooden floors, antique furniture and huge modern bathrooms. In fact, the bathrooms are the only additions to the building.
Thankfully, Vicky has left the splendour of the Indo-European architecture untouched — teak floors, wide teak staircases, and huge open spaces on all three floors.
The photographs on the ground floor are a record of the building's history.
The vast living rooms on each floor are a pleasure to be in. This is where ambassadors and the royalty once congregated, for Samuel Koder was the honorary consul to the Netherlands, and he also began the Freemasons' organisation in Cochin.
An interesting aspect of the building is a small wooden bridge with iron railings, on the first floor. It connected this building to the next, which was the office of the Koders, then. However, today, as the buildings have different owners, the bridge leads to the other building's wall. Under the bridge is Rose Street, and standing on the bridge watching the goings-on in the neighbourhood is an experience to cherish.
In keeping with history, Jewish food is served at the multi-cuisine restaurant, Menorah. You also get Kerala food (fresh fish from the Chinese nets!) and Continental.
How to get there
It is 40 km from the Nedumbassery International airport, and 14 km from the Ernakulam railway station.
Tariff
Season (October 1 to March 31, 2011) — Deluxe Suite: Rs.14,950; Junior Suite: Rs.11,960
Off season (April 1 to September 31) — Deluxe Suite: Rs.5,750; Junior Suite: Rs.5,000
Peak Season (December 20 to January15) — Deluxe Suite: Rs. 17,940; Junior Suite: Rs.14,976
What to do
Visit historically significant places such as the Vasco da Gama Church, the Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, and the Heritage Walkway
Watch the Chinese nets in action. You can even help fishermen pull the nets up!
Shop for curios and knick-knacks on Jew Street
