wordsncolors
October 22, 2025
This was our fifth time in Kochi. Our last stay was at the Gateway Hotel Marine Drive, and this time, we chose Taj Malabar. I'm leaving with mixed feelings about the property, and here's why. Pros: lovely location on Willingdon Island, steeped in history, surrounded by water and greenery. Courteous staff, ready to serve with a smile. Ajesh did an excellent job taking care of our breakfast needs. Alex at the restaurant was super helpful, and Chef Subin Cheriyan made sure that our food was prepared with just the right spice level. He was also responsible for one of the best Chinese meals I've had in recent times. Finally, Cindrella and Elizabeth did their best to make our stay comfortable. The sunset cruise and spicy chocolates were delightful. Cons: We were there Saturday through Tuesday, but the newspapers weren't changed at all since Saturday. Why offer then in the first place if you are not going to do so on a daily basis? The beautiful white balcony needs to be cleaned regularly because of the mess made every day by crows. Over four days it changed from a gorgeous space to dirty and quite uninviting. The turndown service was offered only once, on the day we encountered a problem with the shower. Shouldn't it be a daily thing and not just to make us feel better after an unfortunate incident? Finally, the staff needs to be better trained; most of them are terrible at communications. I'm all for nurturing local talent, but when it's a property as celebrated as Taj Malabar, expectations are naturally high. Perhaps the best memories I'm taking back with me are the dining experiences. The food has been consistently good. Kudos to the F&B Team.
