Jan 162011
Trinity is the second offering by Malabar Escapes for stylish, boutique accommodation in Cochin. Situated diagonally across the Parade Ground from Malabar House, Trinity is a much smaller property, currently with only three rooms. There are plans to develop and build more rooms together with a swimming pool but this will take time – it is India! Not really a hotel but more a cluster of rooms leading off a central first floor room which doubles as reception and communal lounge.
The instantly recognisable use of colour and objects of art give the place character synonymous with the Malabar Escapes properties. However, it is fair to say that Trinity has a more modern twist than Malabar House or Privacy. Bold splashes of vibrant colour and a contemprary feel sit happily alongside traditional Keralan art and the historic setting. Infact, the building itself was once the offices of the Dutch East India Company and the monogram on the gateway is dated 1740. I was a little apprehensive when we stayed in September 2010, not sure if the combination would work. It did and we loved it.
One thing to bear in mind is that all meals are taken at the Malabar House which is a two minute walk away.
Location
Facing the Parade Ground and a two minute walk away from Malabar House, Trinity is very well located in central Cochin. This is one of my favourite spots in Cochin. The Parade Ground is always buzzing with local activity: boys plaing cricket and football, a class of schoolchildren having a lesson under the shade of a tree, or as on our last visit which coincided with monsoon rains, cattle wallowing in pools of water. All, completely fascinating.
Cinnamon, one of the best design and lifestyle shops in India, is situated on the ground floor of the building. Trinity is also just around the corner from ‘Fab India’, a must for Indian home decorations and local style clothes. Gorgeous.
Trinity is 45 km from Cochin airport and takes around 1 hour to transfer by car.
Facilities
Although Trinity has a reception area, there is no restaurant or bar. These are available at Malabar House.Guests at Trinity can avail of all the facilities at Malabar House including the swimming pool and Ayurvedic Spa. Bicycles can be hired free of charge and walking maps are available to help discover the area. Money changing can also be provided at Malabar House.
Accommodation
Just three suites make up Trinity. All are contemporary in design whilst being furnished with antiques and selected pieces of Indian art and design. Very stylish indeed. My favourite is the Red Room – the outdoor bathroom is enormous and I particularly liked the shower ‘tray’ constructed from a large traditional cooking vessel.
The red room, the largest room, A/C, patio terrace with open ‘garden’ bathroom, TV, mini bar , original lithograph of M.F. Hussain, additional mezzanine bed, DVD player
The blue room, A/C, additional mezzanine bed, TV, DVD player , open ‘garden’ bathroom, contemporary Indian art
The yellow room, A/C, open patio, TV, DVD player , separate dressing area, contemporary tribal art and photography
Dining
All meals are taken at Malabar House which is very close by, just two minutes walk.
Malabar junction, the gourmet restaurant is a crossroads of tradition and innovation, of South India and the West. Specialising in market fresh food, this is reputed to be one of the finest seafood restaurants in the South. Having eaten here on several ocassions I would tend to agree.
I would also recommend the lunch time Thalis, vegetarian Thalis (an assortment of several dishes) are particularly popular in this area.
Breakfast is a combination of fresh fruits, breads, pastries, eggs, bacon and a local speacial which tends to change on a daily basis. I loved the dosas.
Divine, the wine lounge and Tapas bar located on the first floor overlooking the courtyard. This is a first in historic Cochin and for me, epitamises the style of Malabar Escapes. A funky modern space with glossy red bar stools is the setting for a fabulous range of wines and tapas. Try the degustation of tapas with wines carefully selected to match the flavours of the food. Yet the style is still India and down below in the candle lit courtyard, cultural perofrmances are held to complete this unique ambience. Fabulous.
