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For CGH Earth Group, the Casino
Hotel was the beginning.
For the first time visitor to Kerala
it's the ideal place to start. For
here you can transit gracefully
between two worlds. On the one hand,
the cosmopolitan delights of Cochin,
with its restaurants, shopping and
entertainment. On the other, Kerala's
unique culture, manners and cuisine.
To Willingdon Island
The Hotel is located on Willingdon
Island, a man-made legacy of the
Raj era and one of the reasons why
Cochin ranks amongst the world's
finest harbours.
As you drive to to the hotel, you
pass the massive dockyards of this
ancient port, omnipresent coconut
trees and stretches of glittering
Arabian Sea
The Casino Hotel greets you in a
traditional 'varvelpu', or welcome.
The garland, the aarti and the proffered
coconut water are gestures you'll
become familiar with as you journey
through our state.
Now properly introduced, you are
guided you to your room. Simplicity
and elegance are the lietmotifs,
as indeed they are in all our properties.
The parquet floors in the room are
a distinctive touch and you can
luxuriate with bubble bath and shampoo
from the little clay
pots in your spacious bathroom.
Once you're rested, ready, and refreshed,
it's time to sail into Cochin.
Splendours, New and Old.
If you've never been to an Indian
city before, Cochin could be a riot
of sensation at first sight. It's
one of the most cosmopolitan cities
in India, yet mixes all the spice
of tradition with its modernity.
Bustling Ernakulam is the newer
and commercial part of the twin
cities. Enjoy your last scoop of
Chocolate Chip icecream for a while
(the Keralan desserts will ensure
you don't miss it much). Visit the
malls and stores if you want to
stock up on clothes or personal
effects. Most of the world's leading
brands are available here and if
you're adventurous enough, so are
lots of colourful options in sarees
and 'mundus' (the traditional Keralan
mens' dress).
But if Ernakulam is the heart, then
the soul of Cochin lies in its older
quarters.
Here, eight centuries of history
are on display, as are a kaleidoscope
of cultures. In a span of a few
kilometers, you can see a Dutch
Harbour house, India's oldest Jewish
synagogue, The Catholic St Francis
Church, Portuguese navigator Vasco
Da Gama's grave, The Hindu Raja
of Cochin's Mattancherry Palace,
The British Raj-era Cochin Club,
and the towering Chinese fishing
nets on the harbour!
It's not surprising that the city
teems with art experts and buyers
from Christie's, Sotheby's and the
like - Cochin abounds in colonial
antiques and is considered something
of a mecca for enthusiasts.
Familiar Pleasures
Excursions into the town can be
as tiring as they are exhilerating.
Specially if you're not so used
to the climate (Kerala usually oscillates
between breezy warmth, pouring rain
and torrid sunshine!). The Cascade
pool can be the perfect restorative.
Swimsuits are available in the gift
shop - which is worth a visit, even
if you aren't so keen on a dip.
You'll find exquisite examples of
traditional Keralan crafts, exotic
fabrics, garments, books, handbags
and all sorts of fascinating bric-a-brac.
Another great way to relax is an
ayurvedic massage. Ayurveda is the
ancient Indian system of medicine,
and the Casino has its own resident
experts and fully equipped facilities
Dusk falls quickly in this part
of the world. If the cocktail hour
beckons you, the Vasco da Gama lounge
is the hotel's ever-popular watering
hole. You can linger over exotic
cocktails (Cochin Thunder, Pink
Ladies and some superb concoctions
based on the local tipples) or in
a new twist, sample some health
drinks based on ayurvedic ideas.
If you're in a mood to confer, the
Durbar Hall is the place. It accommodates
upto 350 people in gracious style.
For smaller gatherings you can opt
for the Harbour Lounge Banqueting
Suite, which seats 40.
Kerala on a Platter
The restaurants at the Casino hotel
have become institutions for Cochin's
food lovers. If you feel a need
to temper the exotic with the familiar,
The 'Tharavadu' is the place to
begin. It serves an extensive buffet
for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Your first breakfast in Kerala could
be good ol' scrambled eggs, your
lunch roast chicken and a shrimp
salad, your dinner a fiery squid
curry and appams ( fluffy rounds
of fermented rice and pulses, the
traditional accompaniment to Kerala
meals). The range of Indian and
Continental cuisine is vast.
Tharavadu, incidentally means traditional
cottage (the 'u' is almost, but
not quite, silent. But don't worry
too much! Only a home grown Keralite
can bend his tongue around the intricacies
of Malayalam pronounciation.)
The speciality seafood restaurant,
Fort Cochin, is our pride and joy,
perpetually popular, though it is
open only in the evenings.
Good Housekeeping called Fort Cochin
"one of the most renowned seafood
restaurants in India". Eating here
is like diving off a springboard
into the flavours and textures of
food throughout Kerala.
ACCOMMODATION
: Standard Rooms,
Suites
RESTAURANTS
: Tharavadu - Multi cuisine
restaurant
Fort Cochin - sea food specialty
and
Vasco da Gama - bar
FACILITIES
: Swimming pool, Gift
Shop, Ayurveda Centre
Regular doctors on call
CONFERENCING
: Durbar hall - capacity
300 Pax. Theater style
150 Pax. Class room style;
50 Pax. U shape
THINGS TO DO
: Sightseeing in Fort
Cochin / Mattanchery
Harbour cruise,
Shopping
DISTANCES
: Situated on Willingdon
Island,
41 Km from Cochin international
airport.
12 Km from downtown Ernakulam.
SEASONS
: Jan - Mar : cool, dry
April - May : Summer; June - August : Monsoon;
Sept - Dec : pleasant, dry.
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