Hotelier Vikram Chatwal's Dream Hotel, Cochin is a 5-star deluxe business hotel situated bang in the middle of the commercial hub. Bhairavi Jhaveri dropped in to find out what it has in store for the frequent flier
Hotelier Vikram Chatwal's Dream Hotel, Cochin is a 5-star deluxe business hotel situated bang in the middle of the commercial hub. Bhairavi Jhaveri dropped in to find out what it has in store for the frequent flier
Kochi, one of the most safeguarded ports of our country has been gaining momentum as the commercial capital of Kerala, thanks to its booming IT and trade sectors. The Chatwals are already prepared for this forthcoming tidal wave, and Dream, they believe, is the answer to every discerning business traveller's needs, who needs to get in and get out, do his business and leave. Located at Elamkulam Junction at Kadavanthara, this boutique hotel is a stone's throw away from all the major industrial houses and the train and bus stations; it is an hour's drive from the airport. So it may not come with such a view, but it still packs in all the luxuries of a premium experience, that too with a fuss-free and prompt efficiency. While most hotels of the port district would borrow what you call "traditional flavour" in its du00e9cor, Dream is audaciously modern and contemporary, except for the chrome-finish elephants (the state animal of Kerala) that occupy the lobby area. A 600 kg crystal chandelier that drops from the high atrium at the mezzanine of level 1 steals focus from the stark white-coloured hotel. A play of lighting and colours was intended for this all-white colour scheme. The chandelier and the lighting on the exterior of the building and at the restaurants metamorphose from pink to green to purple a feature of minimal modernism, you could say. 
Eleven-floor hotel comprises 47 suites, 14 family rooms and 37 single rooms, approximately. A pool area, a 24-hour coffee shop (Keshia), a Thai seafood restaurant (Ayela), a library bar (Wellington), a lounge bar (Ava), a poolside High Bar and a massage centre, Spa Release are part of Dream's offerings.
A Conference Hall, a Convention Centre, a Club Lounge and a Business Centre are the other necessities that a business traveller or a group of businessmen can make use of. Relaxed meetings on plush leather couches can be conducted at the Club Lounge over tea and coffee.
The room: You may be greeted by a rather kinky blue lighting bathing the room it's called "relaxed" lighting; you have the option of switching to "bed", "all", or "floor" lighting. Much like the way the lighting is equipped with a remote control, the room provides for all the state-of-the-art luxuries a plasma screen with Tata Sky facility, a rain shower, a coffee maker, a clothes iron (and even a weighing scale in the bathroom). For breakfast-in-bed, just take your pick between Indian, Continental and American, and hang your order outside your door the previous night. The mini bar is what you need to steer clear of if you intend to get on that weighing scale; it's stocked with fine Belgian chocolates, Ritter Sport, Oreo biscuits, imported nuts and premium liquor brands. The bed is comfortable but not the kind you sink into and find it difficult to get out of; perfect if you have an early morning meet.
How to get there: SA Road, Elamkulam Junction, Kadavanthara, Cochin - 682020.
Call: 484-4129999
Log onto: https://www.dreamcok.com/
Tariff: Studio room (most basic): Rs 11,000 for singleu00a0
Mumbai to Kochi is a 2-hour flight; JetAir, Kingfisher, SpiceJet, Go Air, Air India Express and Indian route daily flights to this destination and depart at regular intervals between 1.30 pm and 6.30 pm
Around Cochin
Have some time to while away before you fly out? Check out these three spots:
Jew Town: Jews from all over the world came to Kerala and settled as early as 700 BC for trade. In Cochin, they took refuge under the Hindu Raja and occupied the area that came to be known as Jew Town. Currently it goes by the same name, and is the biggest tourist attraction of Cochin. This long, winding narrow shopping street that stretches for a few kilometres occupies shops of traditional crafts and arts that stock everything from tribal masks, door knobs, brass bells to traditional weave bedsheets and mammoth stone carvings and sculptures. The place is maintained as it is homes with bright coarse walls in lime green, magenta and yellow dot the street. Some even have Hebrew writings on them. A Jew synagogue stands at one such dead-end street.
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On the other end, a Jew cemetery is based, right after a tempting spread of spices at Spice Market and a display of old God and Goddess posters that initially used to double up as advertisements for commercially used soaps and other industrial products. Jew Town may just be one of the most calm shopping districts you will visit. Even as the Kashmiri vendors try to hard sell their wares, they seem unperturbed; there is no cacophony in there energy and there is almost no sound of haggling.
Fort Kochi: The Chinese fishing nets thrown over the calm water from dilapidated boats that stay anchored at shore make for a picturesque site. You also have the option of going for a ferry ride around the island, if you have the time and inclination.
Island or Port Cochin: This heavily guarded area is lined with sprawling row houses that lay submerged in lush greens and enveloped by the salty air drifting from the seaside. Get out of the car to take snapshots of the view. The vibe here is regal and restrained, like naval areas in most cities.
How to get there: Renting a taxi is the best way to go sightseeing here. The three spots can be covered in close to 4 hours.
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