Beads of moisture barely settle on my brow as, in the still of the night, a tender breeze tangles with my hair and the floral arrangement on the al fresco dinner table. In the gentle candlelight glow, aromatic fragrances reach us from the delicious spread of smoky honeyed chicken, tender prawns and mysteriously sauced mushrooms at the barbecue. Our senses heighten as the stewards, laden with succulent temptations, bend over solicitously, focussed on ministering to our individual needs. Distracted periodically from these indulgences, atop the terrace of the newly launched Novotel Kochi Infopark Hotel, we have a breathtaking view of the dancing lights of the city as they fade into the distant horizon in the velvet of the night.

The sleek lobby area
The sleek lobby area

Clearly, good food, attentive service and the comfort of each guest (be it a business traveller or a family) are intrinsic to the cavalcade of features that are distinctive of the Novotel experience, a mid-scale offering from the Accor chain. Excellent references, I would say, when it comes to catering to Kochi’s burgeoning IT hub, where the new property has settled in. You have a choice of 128 rooms (including eight suites), access to the lovely infinity pool and gym, the multi-cuisine restaurant—The Square—and two bars, one of them the poolside Sun Deck Bar. Apart from all these, it offers three meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Unable to savour another morsel, I slip away to my room and am instantly gathered into the embrace of its muted décor and deep serenity. I can literally feel the fractious clamour of my frayed nerves (thanks to a missed flight and a drive through Kochi’s rush hour) fade away as I settle against the many comfy pillows and turn in for the night—my first ever in this legendary harbour city.

One of the hotel's 128 lavish rooms
One of the hotel’s 128 lavish rooms

Morning finds me up early and drawing open the curtains to the splendour of Kerala’s ubiquitous verdure. The shower (an uncomplicated affair, thank goodness!) is refreshing, and readies me for the buffet spread at The Square, at the lobby level. While launching the hotel, a smiling Jean-Michel Cassé, the Chief Operating Officer for India & South Asia, Accor Hotels, remarked: “We are excited to be associated with the Muthoot Pappachan Group for Novotel Kochi Infopark, given their 131 year-old legacy of trust, service excellence and their extensive experience in the hospitality industry.”

THE INFORMATION

LOCATION Kakkanad, Kochi. 26km/40mins from Cochin International Airport

ACCOMMODATION 128 rooms (superior rooms, premier rooms and suites)

TARIFF From `5,399 doubles, taxes extra

CONTACT +91-484-6766666; accorhotels.com