Ballard Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala, 682001, India
90%
of people enjoy staying here
20 Opinions
Excellent
5
Very Good
6
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Our Members Say
cochinjew
Reviews: 1686
User Rating
In infinite Wisdom, there is absolute Stupidity
I am very sad to say good bye to this old grand dame of the hotels that i have enjoyed staying ever since i discovered it on a Monsoon afternoon. Densal as a manager has been exemplary and on this visit i noticed a change in the ambience and friendliness of the hotel and also the absence of Densal. The Bishop in his infinite wisdom or foolishness has decided to withdraw services of Densal, who was the person responsible behind the welcoming features of Ballard Bungalow and Casa Linda. I shall not return to this hotel in the near future and feel very sad since i have stayed here for so many times and has so much memories associated with my stays.
Unique Quality: The Bishop's Office does not realize that the tourism to Cochin has fallen off dramatically because of the international economical factors ( up to 30 per cent cancellations so far for the coming season) and they need some one with the experience of Densal. I am sure some other hotel will snatch him up to be manager and that hotel is the one i would stay in December. as a minor protest about this silly action, I am cancelling my five day stay at Ballard Bungalow this december.
the prices have gone up as well, unwisely, so it is no longer good value for money ..
Opinion of Price: about average
cochinjew
Reviews: 1686
User Rating
Central Cozy Friendly 250 years old Charitable
Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
The Ballard Bungalow Kochi Photo: view from vypeen jetty
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cochinjew
Reviews: 1686
User Rating
As usual a friendly welcome and service
Stayed here for eleven days and accomplished the mission, to rest. didnt vernture out of cochin except as couple of visits to ernakulam. Densal Sany is the manager and a sweeter person you couldnt meet. Justin is a very hard working assstant and there are three charming ladies at the front desk: Smitha who is more out going and fluent in English, Renjitha who is somewhat shy and Daisy who works also at the sister hotels of Ballard: Casa Linda and Gama. The cleaning ladies are Jally and Salomy who do a good job of keeping your room clean. when you are in a place like Cochin for a period like this, you see people coming and going. most o fthe tourists are there for one day and mostly two days at the hotel and they are gone somewhere else.
Unique Quality: Old Home of the Bishop Charity of the Catholic Church, so your money does support some charity of the Church Densal Sany the manager very central in location
reasonable rates 1500 inr plus taxes during low season and a little higher in high season. there is a tour desk which can organize various tours for you including a night spent in backwaters. taxis organized for pick up and delivery to the international airport.
Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
The Ballard Bungalow Kochi Photo: densal and justin
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irwin13
Reviews: 3
User Rating
Helpfulness
Quaint 240+ year old building
Ballard Bungalow is a nice little hotel situated about 2 mins from the beach. The hotel building, owned by the Kochi Diocese, is over 240 years old, and retains its old-world charm. The floors are wooden, the ceilings are high, and the rooms are huge. Justin at the frontdesk is a very helpful chap. Ballard Bungalow offers its rooms including breakfast for rates much lesser than the other options. However, it does not have any lunch/dinner options, and hence, eating out is essential. Breakfast is contintental.
We were extremely happy with Ballard Bungalow, and Fort Kochi in general. Definitely a must-visit!
Unique Quality: Old world charm, Location, Staff
Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
Related to: Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Family Travel, Budget Travel
The Ballard Bungalow Kochi
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cochinjew
Reviews: 1686
User Rating
Helpfulness
Home Away from Home and Mr Densal Sany
I called the general manager of Ballard from Paris, the pleasant Mr Densal Sany, and in his usual welcome manner, he said, there would be a room for you at Ballard. Arriving late in the evening one day, after a tiring day away in Vaikom, the upstair room ( I have stayed there before) was ready, the ambience and the welcome unchanged.
Unique Quality: You are staying at a place which is more than 250 years old. Mr Densal Sany who is the general manager, as genial a person you can get Justin who works at the front desk, who had to leave for his hometown for Good Friday. I did not wish to have toast and omelette for breakfast, so so they would go out and get Idlis and Sambar for me from the little restaurant nearby. Very close to the ferry to Ernakulam, the bus stand and also the chinese fishing nets and all other attractions of Fort Cochin
Opinion of Price: about average
The Ballard Bungalow Kochi Photo: ballard bungalow
4 more images
cochinjew
Reviews: 1686
User Rating
Helpfulness
Kindness in the time of Monsoons
How do you account for too many kind deeds done to you , how does that affect you? and your actions towards others? This is the story of Aneesh AbooBakar from Paravur near Cerai Beach who is the assistant manager at Ballard Heritage Villa
Unique Quality: To get away from the sudden downpour, we walked into this shiny new hotel. No auto rikshaws or Buses coming this way.. pouring rain. He invited us in, offered us coffee and offered us mangos and kept us company until the rain abated. and told us about his family and about the history of the hotel. He also called Cerai Beach Resort to find out some information for us. Truly hospitable Malayalee. On our return we decided to stay at this hotel and were treated very very well.
Opinion of Price: about average
The Ballard Bungalow Kochi Photo: aneesh and the cochin skies at sunset
cochinjew
Reviews: 1686
User Rating
Helpfulness
fresh hotel in an ancient building
As one walks away from the Fort Cochin jetty, on the left hand side, there is a pleasant view of the hotel, recently open. i was lucky to be shown around the place by the manager for the evening mr aneesh aboo bakar, a very pleasant gentleman
Unique Quality: close to the jetty, new and pleasant, very friendly staff and reasonably priced. rs 1200 for non a/c to about rs 2000/ for a/c
Opinion of Price: about average
The Ballard Bungalow Kochi Photo: anees aboo bakar, the friendly manager
This hotel, newer than the heritage hotel, Ballard Bungalows which is my favourite, is run by Mr Densal Sany, on behalf of the Diocese of Cochin. The profits go to charities and this hostel has become a meeting place for travellers. It attracts the lower end of the spectrum of travellers mainly the backpacking crowd: israelis, australians and brits and some other europeans. it is very centrally situated and within walking distance of most of the things to do in Fort Cochin. Air conditioned rooms are available at prices double those of the non air conditioned rooms. there is a small restaurant on premises where i saw tourists gobbling up Pizza! The service is adequate if not a bit sloppy but Densal is very very helpful. The staff are not very knowledgeable about tourism and its related necessities, unfortunately and are a poor substitute for finding a good guide or travel guide. It is just next door to Ayush the ayurvedic spa so that comes in very handy. the upstairs rooms are air conditioned and less noisy. the budget rooms downstairs tend to get noisy. Mr Densals brother named Bensal runs a restaurant also under the same management, called Talk of the Town which is a short walk away and there you can eat in comfort and confidence, a mixture of european breakfast and an indian one and at lunch time you could taste the flvaours of Kerala Be warned that this hotel tends to get booked quickly. Admittedly we were there at the height of the season but saw many many people turned away because of lack of rooms. so if you are interested book well in advance budget rooms are 20 usd per room and the air conditioned ones are 30 usd per room. all have toilets and hot and cold showers attached
Forum Posts
Good dentists in India-prefabably Delhi?
by melly1234
Does anybody know of any good dentists in India,prefably Delhi.I need a fair bit of work done including root canals and am nervous about dentists as it is.I need somebody who seriously knows what they're doing and with good hygiene.Been in agony months but can't afford UK prices.Thanks!
Re: Good dentists in India-prefabably Delhi?
by cochinjew
Sorry I dont know any one in Delhi, but can recommend without hesitation Dr Jagdeesh in Bangalore ( well trained and with up to date technology and reasonably priced). Cochin also has good dentists and Mr Densal Sany, the manager at Ballard Bungalow can help arrange Dental Appointments.
Re: Good dentists in India-prefabably Delhi?
by Ranjit662
Not Delhi, but Nashik, 180 kms north east of Mumbai , clean lovely place, far cheaper to live than Bombay and Delhi, mostly grape growing countryside, and yes Dr Bakshi, who I strongly recommend, infact my dad who lives in Mumbai got extensive treatment done from him,after being conned by is "good dentist". Dr Bakshi is painstakingly good. Unfortunately I do not have his tel nos now, can post it on the forum later if you evince interest.
Q:Paying Guest Accomodation "Can someone post information of a single Room with attached bathroom,as i intend setting up business in Kochi and will be..."
A: "I recommend Maison Casero. Very well located family home in the residential heart of Fort Kochi. They will make you feel very welcome whilst respecting your privacy..."
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