The Mango Tree Inn

Fort Kochi is easy to explore from this centrally located hotel, with many points of interest within walking distance. The room was spacious and clean, and check-in was quick and easy. There’s a big mango tree interconnected with the hotel, and the same building has a really good Italian-focused restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 10 am to 10 pm. The Wi-Fi wasn’t reliable, though the owner was about to deal with it, so it should be running properly again by the time you arrive. There was no hot water in the bathroom either. Also, there’s no permanent receptionist on site, so you have to call the owner to discuss anything.

Repairs were underway on the rooftop during my stay, and that took away from the atmosphere. There’s also limited outdoor space and no in-house restaurant. For breakfast, the attached Pizza Hut doesn’t open until 10:00 AM, though there are very good restaurants nearby. The place has a special character: the ancestral home of the legendary K.J. Yesudas, with architecture built around a living mango tree. I hope the renovations finish soon. It’s a unique historic spot, but at the moment it doesn’t have the polished amenities of a full-service hotel.

We had a great visit and were happy with our stay. Nasser, thanks for having us, and many thanks to Silas for taking care of what we needed. The staff were good, and the inn is right among the stores, with tuktuk rides and dining close by.

Checking in was a ridiculous ordeal. The owner kept asking which platform I had booked through and couldn’t find the reservation until I realized it was made through his own website link on the Google Maps overview. He said that was an old page he no longer used. I told him he should know what’s happening with his business and take the link down if it’s outdated. He also said he didn’t have a credit card machine. The rooms were atrocious and disgusting, as if they hadn’t been cleaned. Paint was peeling off the walls and there were critters everywhere, including roaches. The staff were quite friendly, but that doesn’t make up for the owner seeming clueless and unhelpful. If zero stars were an option, I’d choose that.