Brunton Boatyard

While every review rightly praises the colonial heritage and stunning architecture of Brunton Boatyard, what truly makes this property world-class is its extraordinary, personalized customer service. They do not just offer luxury; they actively care for their guests in ways you rarely see anymore.

My husband is a stroke survivor, and though I had requested a first-floor room, the manager thoughtfully placed us on the ground floor to give us a lower bed height. When the handicap features in that room didn't quite suit our needs, the team immediately stepped up. They checked their bookings, moved us to a higher floor, and even brought in a lower guest bed to test for comfort—doing whatever it took until my husband was truly comfortable.

The food and beverage team was equally phenomenal. The breakfast staff was exceptionally attentive every morning, and I especially loved the Mattancherry section with local specialties that changed daily. It allowed me to sample a wide variety of Kerala and Kochi food, almost all of it entirely new to me! When I mentioned to the F&B Manager that a couple of dinner dishes weren't quite to my taste, the culinary team made it their personal mission to get things right. Chef Rohit even custom-made a brilliant, light edamame and cucumber salad for me—which was so good my husband ordered the exact same thing for dinner—and personally checked in on us with a warm laugh when we dined at the History Restaurant.

The standalone moments of thoughtfulness were what truly set them apart. When we left the hotel for a one-night backwater cruise, I told the manager to throw away an opened bottle of red wine from our mini-bar. Instead, she insisted on keeping it in the fridge for us and had it waiting when we returned the next day. That same manager even helped arrange my birthday dinner at The Rice Boat at Taj Malabar, informing the staff there so we were treated like royalty from the moment we walked in.

Combined with the morning yoga taught by a senior teacher, the complimentary evening cruise, and the guided history walk, it was an unforgettable stay. Brunton Boatyard is a gorgeous and comfortable property, but it is the warm, genuine, and deeply caring staff who truly make it special.

We are already planning our next visit to a CGH property!

What an amazing experience. Our room overlooked the sea. We watched large ships pass close by from our bed. The rooms are brilliant, old world charm but a new build. Staff think of everything from mosquitoe repellent to snacks. The service is wonderful catering to your every need. Lovely infinity pool. You must try the compilation menu in the fine dining room. It was truly superb. The location of the hotel makes everything in the old quarter accessible by foot and you are given lots of information about what to see and do. We can’t recommend this hotel enough. Another fantastic hotel in the CGH Earth chain.