| The building, which houses Le Colonial, was
constructed in 1506 at the same time as the St Francis Church – its
eminent and historic neighbour. It was the Portuguese Governors’ private
residence as opposed to his main office which seems to have been in a
building refurbished in the 1950’s style (where Cinnamon is now
situated) on a street perpendicular to the Church Road where "Le
Colonial" is.
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In 1500, the Raja of Cochin had given the land of
Fort Cochin to the Portuguese to install a trading post. The great
interest of Fort Cochin was its spice market and its important Jewish
trading community which had settled there since 500 BC when
Nabucodonosor had conquered Jerusalem. The second exodus of Jews came in
1492 when the Reyes Catolicos expelled them – first from Spain and then
from Portugal. It is at this early time that the synagogue of Jew Town
was built. The House saw respectively Albuquerque, as also Vasco da Gama,
who is said to have died here and was buried within the St Francis
Church compound, in 1524 AD, where one can still see his tombstone. His
body was later transferred to Lisbon only fourteen years later. |
| St Francis Xavier is said to have lived in the house
which has, among other names, also been called the "St Francis
Bungalow”. It is believed that there was a secret tunnel leading to the
church next door with an underground chapel – but this may well have
been born from the imagination of the people! After 150 years of
Portuguese occupation, Fort Cochin fell into the hands of the Dutch when
they were at the height of their maritime power:" VOC "the " Venerable
Dutch East India Company" took over. Above the main gate one can see the
date of construction – 1506 – and the Dutch addition of "VOC". |
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The taking of Fort Cochin was a hard battle and the
victorious Dutch destroyed practically all the Portuguese buildings with
the exception of St Francis church, which became a Calvinist temple.
Later it came under the Church of England during the British rule, and
when India became independent – the Church of Southern India. A dozen
buildings were spared amongst which was "Le Colonial”. It became the
property of the Dutch Governors of Cochin until the last governor Jan
van Spall sold it in 1795 to the British who had taken over. That is why
it was also called "Jan van Spall Huiss".The original sales deed can be
seen framed in the house. During the Dutch occupation, French Admiral
Mahé de la Bourdonnais, on his way from Pondichéry to Mahé in North
Kerala, spent a night here just as many other travellers must have done
while sailing into Fort Cochin. |
| When the French Revolution took over Holland and
turned it into a French province, the British – who were at war with
France – became the de facto enemies of Holland. In 1795, Major Petrie
and his British East Oriental Company army took over Fort Cochin without
much defence from Governor van Spall who, after capitulation, supposedly
received Major Petrie as his guest in this very house. The British then
settled in Cochin for the next 150 years – until 1947. The house was
sold in the mid 20th century to the renowned tea trader J Thomas and
came to be known as the "J Thomas Bungalow”. In 1947, it saw, passing by
the then Governor and ex-Viceroy Lord Louis Mountbatten and his wife
Edwina who may well have visited this historic five centuries’ old
colonial building – as it had become the home for the flourishing
British tea trader. In 2004, it got its chance to be saved as a historic
monument. Its 500 year old walls can now be relived in - but much
improved – with airconditioning and all the 21st century facilities. |
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The house now contains many works of art and
antique furniture contemporaneous with many of the tumultuous periods of
history, making it a museum space rather than just a hotel. Each room is
named and styled after the people who lived or passed by or would have
wished to take it over! Jan van Spall, Major Petrie, J Thomas, Vasco da
Gama, Mahé de la Bourdonnais, Tipu Sultan, the Viceroy and his ADC. |
Rooms
Viceroy: This is the largest and the noblest room at Le
Colonial, with a long verandah attached. Art deco furniture in teak and
satin wood gives the room a feel of classic charm, as the branches from
the tree by the entrance, partially screen the view to the street
beyond. The St. Francis Church can be seen from the room. |
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Jan Val Spall:
Named after the last Dutch Governor who lived in the house, this is a
vast room with a private verandah and two king size beds for
larger-than-life dreams under a raftered roof. A luxurious wood-panelled
bathroom to match. |
| Vasco Da Gama:
More medieval with cartouches on the bedsteads and narrow stools beyond
the beds for clothes or bags, its acorn-like poster ends – all add up to
another era, reminiscent of the Portuguese days. |
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Mahe Le Da Bourdonnais:
A large two-poster bed, teak floors and eclectic art adorns this linear
room with pleasant white rafters adding their age. There are two large
windows – one facing the St. Francis Church. |
| Major Petrie:
A high, four-poster bed with teak steps to mount, a striped-white rafter
roof and windows pierced in thick walls overlooking the St. Francis
church. A gallery of etchings and gravures on the walls and the ambience
of art – as in an elegant home. |
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Tipu Sultan:
Named after Tipu the last Sultan of Mysore whom the French helped but
the British defeated. A large almirah lends an Indian touch, as do the
teak wood blinds. You can sit on the wide window sills and watch the
world go by. |
| Aide De Camp:
Small in size but high on style, this room is next to the Viceroy room
and with which it can make a private apartment. Its intimacy pours out
on to a large verandah mottled with the shade of a giant Banyan tree.
The louvered window overlooks the pool and the bathroom is all elegance. |
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|
Tariff Valid from 1st October
2011 to 30th September 2012 |
| Rooms |
Type |
Beds |
Price |
|
| |
A/c |
 Honeymoon |
Dec 15 - Jan20 |
Jan 21 - Apr 30
Oct 1 - Dec 14 |
May 1 - Sep 30 |
|
| Viceroy |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 24000 |
Rs 17500 |
Rs 10000 |
|
| Jan Van Spall |
Grand Room |
2 Queen |
Rs 24000 |
Rs 17500 |
Rs 10000 |
|
| Vasco Da Gama |
Room |
2 Single |
Rs 17500 |
Rs 11500 |
Rs 7000 |
|
| Mahe de la Bourdonnais |
Room |
1 Double |
Rs 17500 |
Rs 11500 |
Rs 7000 |
|
| Major Petrie |
Room |
1 Double |
Rs 17500 |
Rs 11500 |
Rs 7000 |
|
| Tipu Sultan |
Room |
1 Double |
Rs 17500 |
Rs 11500 |
Rs 7000 |
|
| Aide De Camp |
Room |
2 Single |
Rs 17500 |
Rs 11500 |
Rs 7000 |
|
Food & Beverage
Room tariff includes breakfast and one meal. Fixed menus are offered at
per head rates: Lunch/Dinner Rs 950.
The swimming pool is for residents only.
Bar facility is not yet available. |
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