The Brunton Boatyard Hotel is our attempt to distill an aspect of this heritage. And to bring colonial Cochin alive for the contemporary traveler. For what is essentially a small and intimate city resort hotel, The Brunton Boatyard posses a remarkable sense of scale, evident the moment you turn into the tiled forecourt.The lobby is a vault of sunlight and air, framed by arches and overhung with punkahs - enormous,

old-fashioned fans of Indo-Portuguese origin. A rich, and colourful history marks the corridor, once the century old boatyard of Geo. Brunton and Sons. On this site cghearth recreated the splendour of the city's illustrious past, using the materials of fin de sieclé cochin lime, terracotta, wood and tile.A short saunter down the corridor brings you to a little doorway. Pass through and suddenly, the whole vista of Cochin harbour opens up beyond the pool's inviting waters. The hotel's nautical past seems to follow around the guests. On one wall, old Dutch maps, on another, a small navigation device, in the grassy courtyard, an ancient anchor. Walk further, turn a corner, the guests will find themselves outside the armory bar. A short saunter down the corridor brings you to a little doorway. Pass through and suddenly, the whole vista of Cochin harbour opens up beyond the pool's inviting waters. This is the spot to read a boring historical novel, work on your tan and watch the ships sail by, so close you can almost reach out and touch them. Crane your neck a bit and you can spot a serried rank of Cochin's famed fishing nets. They first made their appearance in 1350 a.d. and their much-photographed preying mantis shapes form one of the city's most enduring images. Also near the pool is the hotel's jetty, and a word at the reception gets you a variety of cruising options to choose from. The heritage of Cochin is most evident around its enormous harbour, and this is a not-to-be-missed experience.

All of the Brunton Boatyard Hotel's 22 rooms overlook the sea, and so, by happy circumstance, do the en-suite bathrooms. Few pleasures rival a long hot soak in your tub of an evening, watching the dolphins play tag with the trading ships of the globe. Your super-rested muscles should then have just enough energy to carry you to the quaint four poster bed that dominates your room. Relaxation, in fact, may well be a necessity after a meal at The Brundon Boatyard Hotel. We must hastily add that our menus offer many healthy, low-fat options, but we also urge you to indulge yourself at least once. For here is your chance to dine from, literally, a melting pot. To the basic melody of black pepper, ginger and cardamom, each group that came to Kerala added a counterpoint of its own. The Portuguese came to trade in spice, but left behind the ' Indian' red chili. The Syriac Christians brought a variety of meat dishes, that co-incidentally, tasted fabulous with the native string hoppers. The Jews found coriander both Kosher and delicious, so into the pot it went. were found to benefit greatly from a spot of fresh cinnamon.The guests can their accommodation in Brunton Boatyard in one of the 22 rooms that face the sea. Add to it the fact that the en suite bathrooms are also designed to face the sea, and it becomes a real pleasure for the tourists. The hotel's 'History' restaurant is a melting pot of cuisines from across the globe. Every culture that has made an impact in Kerala has also left behind a something from their cuisine. The restaurant at Brunton Boatyard has recreated them with great finesse. You get to savour Dutch, Syrian Christian, Anglo Indian and Kerala cuisines – all at the same place. So if you are looking for a small, cozy hotel rich in culture, then we recommend Brunton Boatyard.