Welcome to Kara. An 8-room contemporary hotel in Fort Kochi that has seen history unfurl.
Our stately building was once a Portuguese mint for silver coins. And then home to the Dutch East India Company (their emblem, VOC, graces our threshold till date). And later still, an English plantation manager’s bungalow. Even today, Kara is at the heart of it all.
With just three rooms tastefully designed, our heritage wing is as exclusive as it gets. The rooms are spacious, with lofty ceilings and split-level mezzanines that double up as cosy reading corners, or tuck-aways for an extra bed. The wooded interiors, tiled roofs and open-to-air bathrooms are inspired by local architecture. The yard-cum-shower in our largest room is an absolute delight.
Book your stayIf your tastes lean towards minimal luxury, we recommend these rooms. Plushly fitted and sparsely decorated, each room has just one adornment — a stunning work of art by a renowned artist. With views of the garden and the overhanging trees, they exude understated elegance. The largest room, opening out to the iconic Parade Ground and its burst of tropical foliage, gives you the feeling of stepping into a Secret Garden.
Book your staySay hello to the creator of Kara, Maneesha Panicker. She believes in slow travel, immersive experiences and giving back to local communities.
She is always game for gallery hopping, telling stories about the Fort, sharing secret spots for the best meen curry, and of course, a leisurely walk. She was once a city-slicker (a New Yorker, at that!). But she gave it all up to start her first travel venture—Silk Route Escapes—an experiential travel outfitter. And then went on to create Kayal Island Retreat, an award-winning boutique retreat in the backwaters of Kerala, with just four rooms. Kara is her invitation to you, to explore one of her favourite destinations, her home—Fort Kochi.
The dream – the goal – of a cultural traveler is to be steeped in the local traditions, history, and utter timelessness of a place and people other than your own.
I awoke on my first morning at Kara surrounded by colorful art, the warmth of sun and wood-carved furnishings, and most alluringly, the cobblestone walk from my room to the outdoor shower and bath. As if that were not enough, the table outside my door beckoned with coffee, juices, fruit and local breads. It was then that I realized two nights at Kara were not enough.