Where to start?

I was surprised that there was no data, discussion or thread for CP Kochi. Especially surprised given it's probably the finest CP I've ever stayed in. And although primarily an IC guy, I've spent at least a 1000 nights in various CP's mainly for work over the years. Had I known the vacuum of info on it, I'd have took photos.

CP Kochi was a total unknown for me. Long story why, but I recently had the pleasure of spending a week there. The wife commented on the build, scale and materials and indeed she was right, in conversation with management (who were absolutely first class) they mentioned that it was indeed originally built to be an Intercontinental but that for whatever reasons, it eventually got badged as a Crowne Plaza.

The White marble floors, walls, large heavy solid room internal doors and furniture, huge lobby etc does mark this out. From memory it went on line in 2013 and in 2024 it is just starting to show a little bit of age but immaculately maintained. We were upgraded handsomely to a one bedroom suite on the 15th floor with an excellent city view from near floor to ceiling windows and a balcony although this was locked. I should say that pricing was very reasonable. My new found experience of Indian CP's and IC's has proven them to be exceptional value without any compromise of delivered service.

Room amenities would put many IC's to shame. I'm a Diamond, an RA and Inner Circle guy and there was absolutely nothing substandard in the service, the hard product (accommodation, dining, club lounge, pool etc), and the service was easily IC level and even higher.

And on the subject of club lounge, how does 4 different proper hot dishes every night (not a small expresso cup thing but proper full plate stuff), a cold buffet counter and a deserts counter sound. And the drinks offering was pretty good as well. A wait on drinks service rather than a bank of glass fronted fridges. Euro wines (no sparkling) and a couple of far from bad Indian wines! Who knew? 🙂 I certainly didn't and we ordered a more pricey Indian wine in the top floor restaurant and it was very very good. Again I cannot recall any CP that does that in 2024, maybe in the dim past.

They have an excellent top floor steak/seafood/international/cocktail restaurant call Sky Grill. It also has an outdoor dining area. On ground floor you will find a decent bar called Connexions, the normal coffee & Danish place called Aroma and an excellent Asian restaurant, crossover one, Thai, Malay, Japanese etc. And get this, CP Kochi has it's own in house magician, I kid you not. On two of the nights dining in house he came round and I have to confess was very smile worthy and entertaining.

There's a decent pool area and it backs onto the backwaters of Kerela. A nice view that you also get from the back rooms of the hotel. They have a fairly good pool side service for drinks and food and comfortable loungers.

The all day diner / breakfast outlet was also first class. The normal Western elements done well and better still a super Indian selection. And the chefs are happy to make and serve up personal different options each day ... an option I took. Quality was first class. And I've never seen this before but they put a black pendant flag on your table if you a Diamond. Service was fast moving and nothing was too much trouble. Whether I got a better level attention because of the Diamond status I don't know but it can't hurt. That said I didn't see anyone suffering poor service.

Staff are very well trained, engaging and move like they mean it. And all the management I met were the same ... Interested, genuinely helpful and responsive. Things discussed would have a habit of turning up in some form ... In room at table, the next day. Very impressive.

Interestingly, they had EV's as hotel cars.....new MG 4's Crowne Plaza branded for airport pick up and drop offs etc. I like that ... A lot of the old stalwart top end hotels would do well to be following suit.

They are doing gentle refurbishment. The all day diner is being expanded to the pool area and refreshed. A good idea to me ... It's a great area and currently could be regarded as dead space. I think the rooms were also about to be refreshed from what I understood. But they were far from substandard, very well designed, appointed and equipped. The TV was a bit of handful to control and navigate but I spent no time trying to master that ... probably easier than I'm making out.

There's a spa that I didn't make time to try. It looks a decent one.

I've spent way too many nights in CP's across Europe, Middle East and the US and been handsomely looked after in fairness, especially were I became a part of the weekly furniture. So cannot complain in any shape and form. But CP Kochi must be the finest CP out there. As I mention, it feels more like a Intercontinental than a CP..... And a top end one at that.

A slightly random summary and snapshot of my experience there for you to read. Interested if any of you have stayed or are regulars there. It's a mystery why there's no thread on FT about it especially as it's very much a flagship hotel. I'll be back at any opportunity without hesitation.

There's almost certainly more to add but that's my snapshot just now. Hope it's useful.