Goodkarma Inn

We have stayed in many places over the decades since first visiting Fort Kochi in 1994 (when we stayed in the old PWD which was allowed back then). We often return to Fort Kochi and stay for many weeks at a time. So I know what I'm talking about in this review. Good Karma is an excellent choice for accommodation in Fort Kochi, unless you can afford to travel at the uber-luxury level. Good karma has quite reasonably priced rooms. They are not huge, but many, especially in the new building, are perfectly roomy enough. Most of the competition around the area have much smaller rooms. Cleanliness is well attended to - we had no issues with this aspect of any rooms we saw as they became available. Location is excellent - just far enough to get some exercise, and near enough to walk into the main area of town along raintree shaded roads, which on the whole remain quiet, after so many decades (except on Sundays and holidays - give them a break). Ridesdale Branch road is a good area, and since Vintage Inn closed down, there are precious few homestays on this road. The great advantage, is that not only can one walk easily into town, but also to the local junction, Kannumpuram, which is a great place to get supplies not available at Princess Street general stores. The staff are a good resource for those who fly in here intending visit the more famous tourist places in Kerala. Anoop and Shams have excellent connections to help with transport and accommodations at all the standard places tourists want to visit on short trips to Kerala, for reasonable costs. And I must add that their driver is an intelligent and 'safe-pair-of-hand- at the wheel' driver... most important these days. Otherwise, I found all staff, especially Christi, very attentive, friendly and helpful, whatever the requirements. They can also help with accommodation at their beach-side places at Vakala and another (this is excellent for European and Indian tourists who want a 'holiday-at-the-beach' experience... not so much for Australians who have the best beaches in the world). Those looking to stay a little longer, to simply 'be in' this delightful heritage town, try to get a room with balcony. They face the road, but that was not a problem for sleep and you can close the doors with AC. We were never awakened by the usual disturbances of church-temple-mosque calls in the early hours, the cacophony of crows, road traffic (this subsides during the night anyway), and baby wailings (seems to be reduced at present). Although during the day, the ubiquitous home-improvement noises that bedevil all of India these days, does go on, and yet I didn't find it too annoying. But even the back facing rooms were good value, although a few rooms have those twin-single-adjoined beds which are a wonderful king-sized pleasure... You'd need to check which rooms have these, but the standard double bed rooms are perfectly sufficient. Most importantly, there is a great vibe at Good Karma - well designed and friendly atmosphere.