Old Harbour Hotel

In the hotel's large and leafy garden, you'll find a tranquil pool under a giant mango tree and a lotus pond, which is rather pretty when the flowers bloom in the morning. Enjoy traditional Ayurvedic treatments at the spa and yoga sessions on the open-air terrace. Old Harbour prides itself on its homemade bread, freshly-squeezed juices and a unique seafood menu served to live music in the garden - don't skip the Kerala fish curry!

Decorated with quirky art and vintage furnishings (including light switches and ceiling fans), the 13 spacious rooms are named after the oldest streets in Cochin. Looking out over the scenic courtyard or the sea-sprayed docks, each room comes with a minibar, air con, wardrobe, tea/coffee facilities and a living area. The mod en-suite bathrooms have a range of organic toiletries and the hotel's garden cottages come with open-air showers, a veranda and private pond.

Living up to its name, the Chinese Fishing Nets are a stone's throw away and for a small fee, local fishermen will show you how they work. The hotel's owner runs Kashi Art Cafe, which puts on some fantastic exhibit throughout the year and just down the road, you'll find Princess Street, a feast of crafts and historic buildings. Visit the Matancherry Palace to see its collection of stunning murals and catch a mesmerising dance show at the Kerala Kathakali Centre.