Perhaps it’s the love for all things old, or perhaps it’s the timelessness of Fort Kochi’s unchanging face - but there is a sense of serenity that sweeps over me, whenever I take the boat to Fort Kochi. A favorite for artists and antiquers alike, Mattancherry in Fort Kochi is a locale that is rich in history and culture, where people of many locales have come and some never left. The Dutch East India Company’s visit to the area in the 1600s left the locale forever changed, in everything from street names and architecture to heritage and culture. The township continues to exist as almost a living museum that bears markers of them.
The Dutch Manor Hotel in Mattancherry is a boutique property with eleven beautifully curated rooms, each one designed to highlight different aspects of the Dutch presence and it’s intersection with the existing Kerala culture, and the unique culture that emerged from it. The newly opened property has been around for barely a year, but has been surely but steadily gaining followership among those looking for a unique experience in Kochi. Keeping in mind Dutch sensibilities and elegance, while off-setting it with malabar-style furniture, and block printed soft furnishings, the property bridges the gap between the colonial and local influences to create a beautiful representation of the locale’s culture.
No two rooms in the Dutch Manor look alike - with each one curated to be unique with a stunning piece of Fort Kochi/Mattancherry inspired art as the central focus, offering a little peek into the experience that the guests can experience while in the heritage town. They have a range of premium, luxury and even suite variants among these well-designed eleven rooms.
Located just a stone’s throw away from all the best that Mattancherry has to offer - from chinese fishing nets to antique furniture shops, Dutch Manor is a great choice for those who are seeking a slow, boutique stay while in Kochi. But even if you are staying at one of the many other great properties in the locale or are just visiting, the Eatkamer, Dutch Manor’s in-house restaurant offers signature Malabar treats, unique Dutch-Malabar fusion fares, and even authentic Dutch dishes. They have also roped in the only authentic Dutch bakery in Kochi - Zera Noya to create their desserts. They even feature Kochi’s own Breudher bread, which is sourced locally from those who the owners of the property refer to as “the pioneers of Dutch Breudher bread in Kerala.’
For all those who might be heading to the city for the next Kochi Muziris Biennale, The Dutch Manor just might be a new but intriguing entrant into the many boutique experiences the locale has to offer.
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