Willingdon Island was dredged out of the sea bed by the British in Lord Willingdon's time and it's the reason why Cochin has such a fine 'natural' harbour. The British, of course, were only the latest in a long line of civilizations that have been drawn to the magnet of Cochin's charms. Spice was the wealth of the age of sail, and the Portuguese, the Dutch, the Chinese and the Jews were all drawn here, the gateway to Kerala's mountains and forests, where gold grew out of the earth. Even today, Cochin remains a fine starting point for a Kerala sojourn.
The shores of Willingdon Island hum with activity and all the hurly-burly of a large port city.
But the centre, where we're located, is a peaceful spot of vast grassy spaces and sleepy side-roads. Here, you have the best of both worlds, because you're still a mere 15 minutes away from the city centre.
If anything, Casino Hotel is rather nondescript from the frontage. But as in many courtyard style dwellings in India (or Europe for that matter), its charms become evident once you enter.
The classic Kerala combination of tiled roof, wooden beams and rough plaster creates a haven of warmth and light around the grassy central space, which is divided up neatly between the Fort Cochin seafood restaurant and the pool.
The Casino serves well as an introduction to the charms of Kerala, but perhaps its business that brings you here? We believe that at the Casino, you'll find all that you need to get things done. The business districts of Ernakulam are a short taxi ride away, and you can start your business day armed with every facility.You can connect to the net right from your room and fax, copier and computer facilities are available too.