Bolgatty Palace - ബോള്ഗാട്ടി പാലസ്
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One of the oldest existing Palace built by the Dutch in India, Bolghatty Palace is located in the scenic island popularly known as Bolgatty island in Kochi, Kerala. In 1744AD, Dutch traders built this villa and it was later extended and lush green gardens were landscaped around it. The building was then the Governor's palace for the Dutch and later in 1909 was leased to the British. It served as the home of the British Governors, the seat of the British Resident of Cochin during the British regime. In 1947, when India got her independence, the palace became the property of the state and later converted into a heritage hotel resort and is now run by the KTDC (Kerala Tourism Development Corporation).
Set amidst lush, tropical greenery, this prestigious heritage hotel with spectacular scenery of the back waters all around is a place of quiet laid back enchantment. The palace is a two-storeyed building with ba th attached well-decorated bedchambers and a huge lounge wherein historical portraits are displayed. The resort offers palace and executive suits, deluxe rooms, honey moon and lake front cottages along the edge of the backwaters for stay. The guests can enjoy a beautiful calm and quite environment which facilitates a mini golf course, swimming pool, Ayurvedic center and daily Kathakali performances.
Kochi (Cochin) one of the important towns in South India, is the commercial hub of Kerala state with a natural harbour. This dynamic city known as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' has rapidly industrialising suburbs with soaring land prices. The city has three main parts Fort Kochi, Willingdon Island and Ernakulam. Bolghatty Island which is a long narrow peninsula, is situated at the opposite side of the Ernakulam jetty across the backwaters. Frequent boat service is available from the mainland, Ernakulam to the Bolghatty island. Now there is a bridge connecting the island to Ernakulam. Kochi offers enchanting backwater boat cruises and is a shoppers paradise in her own right.
Set amidst lush, tropical greenery, this prestigious heritage hotel with spectacular scenery of the back waters all around is a place of quiet laid back enchantment. The palace is a two-storeyed building with ba th attached well-decorated bedchambers and a huge lounge wherein historical portraits are displayed. The resort offers palace and executive suits, deluxe rooms, honey moon and lake front cottages along the edge of the backwaters for stay. The guests can enjoy a beautiful calm and quite environment which facilitates a mini golf course, swimming pool, Ayurvedic center and daily Kathakali performances.
Kochi (Cochin) one of the important towns in South India, is the commercial hub of Kerala state with a natural harbour. This dynamic city known as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' has rapidly industrialising suburbs with soaring land prices. The city has three main parts Fort Kochi, Willingdon Island and Ernakulam. Bolghatty Island which is a long narrow peninsula, is situated at the opposite side of the Ernakulam jetty across the backwaters. Frequent boat service is available from the mainland, Ernakulam to the Bolghatty island. Now there is a bridge connecting the island to Ernakulam. Kochi offers enchanting backwater boat cruises and is a shoppers paradise in her own right.
How to get there
There are regular ferry services, every 20 minutes from Kochi (Ernakulam High Court Jetty) to Bolghatty island from 6am to 10pm. It is just a 5 minutes ride across the backwaters. Vehicles can be brought to the island by the vehicular ferry, also from the High Court Jetty. There is a also a bridge connecting the mainland to the island. Rowboats offer to shuttle between Bolghatty Island and Ernakulam. Guests booked at the Bolghatty palace resort can avail the free ferry service from High court jetty on both check in and check out.Air
International Air Port is at Nedumbassery, near Aluva, about 22 kms away from Ernakulam, Kochi.Rail
Kochi has 3 stations, Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Cochin Harbour Terminus. Trains from the Northern cities/Southern parts of India stop at Ernakulam Junction. Ernakulam Junction, D.H. Rd, Ernakulam South, Phone: 131; Ernakulam Town, Near North Bridge Phone: 2390920Road
KSRTC Central Bus station is near the Junction railway station. It runs Express and Fast services from Ernakulam to other major cities within Kerala and into the neighbouring states. Reciprocal services from other States are also available. Enquiry phone : 2352033, 2372033. There are plenty of private buses available for travel from Ernakulam to other cities. They operate from High Court Junction, Railway Station and Kaloor Junction.
 Photo by : Pyngodan in Flickr |
 Photo by : LiGhtSynC in Flickr |
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