I recently stayed at Crown Plaza in Ernakulam. For reference, I live in Canada but am born in Kerala and speak the local language and English fluently. We arrived early, pulled the car up to the door and my partner went in to see if early check-in was possible. I stayed out by the car and security kept pressing me to park the car. Although I attempted communicating the situation to the security staff in Malayalam, Hindi and English, the staff member didn’t quite understand our request and tried to take our car for valet parking prematurely. After some back-and-forth, I was able to stop him until we confirmed the check-in time. While not a major issue, the lack of clear communication at the outset made our arrival uneasy. At check in, I defaulted to speaking Malayalam to check in staff as I thought it would make communication easier but they insisted on answering me back in broken English which I thought was very odd. After this I just defaulted to speaking to everyone in English as I got the feeling speaking Malayalam was almost rejected at this hotel. Once in the room it was clean and comfortable, and the view of the backwaters was stunning. We spent the rest of the day in the city and did not get back until 11pm. The next morning, we headed to the restaurant for breakfast. No one guided us to a table, and the one we chose wasn’t even fully set up. After sitting at the table for some time we had to stare down a server to come to our table to bring water and glasses. What struck us as particularly odd was that all members of restaurant staff including the chefs took time to stop and have long conversations with "elite members" but we were very rarely checked on. Having stayed at 4 other hotels/homestays on this same trip our experience is that the server is usually very attentive and asks if you would like any omlette. This did not happen so my partner walked up to the omlette station and stood behind two restaurant workers who were speaking to the chef. She stood there for about a minute before they noticed and had to ask them if she could order an omlette. Then as breakfast ended we were sitting at the table, taking time to sip our coffee while the buffet was being cleared. We had no intention to have any more food as it was the only and most mediocre food we had on our 3 week trip. Our server came to our table and told us that the restaurant was closing so we politely got up to leave. As we were walking out we saw multiple other groups of guests still sitting at their tables being allowed to take their time. After check out the valet pulled our rental car to the door and assisted with putting bags in the trunk. One security guard attempted to open the back door for my fiancee to sit in multiple times. We can only assume that they thought I was her driver as she is a white woman and I was dressed in the traditional mundu that men wear there. We both got the sense that this hotel is so aggressively attempting to try to be North American. They make attempts to reject the Kerala culture and cannot fathom that someone who does embrace their culture, by speaking the language and dressing traditionally, would be a guest at their pretentious hotel. Overall, the service at Crown Plaza did not meet the standards expected from a 5-star hotel. The lack of attention, poor communication, and divided service made our stay disappointing. Based on this experience, I won’t be staying here again, nor would I recommend it to...
Read moreI recently stayed at Crown Plaza in Ernakulam. For reference, I live in Canada but am born in Kerala and speak the local language and English fluently. We arrived early, pulled the car up to the door and my partner went in to see if early check-in was possible. I stayed out by the car and security kept pressing me to park the car. Although I attempted communicating the situation to the security staff in Malayalam, Hindi and English, the staff member didn’t quite understand our request and tried to take our car for valet parking prematurely. After some back-and-forth, I was able to stop him until we confirmed the check-in time. While not a major issue, the lack of clear communication at the outset made our arrival uneasy. At check in, I defaulted to speaking Malayalam to check in staff as I thought it would make communication easier but they insisted on answering me back in broken English which I thought was very odd. After this I just defaulted to speaking to everyone in English as I got the feeling speaking Malayalam was almost rejected at this hotel. Once in the room it was clean and comfortable, and the view of the backwaters was stunning. We spent the rest of the day in the city and did not get back until 11pm. The next morning, we headed to the restaurant for breakfast. No one guided us to a table, and the one we chose wasn’t even fully set up. After sitting at the table for some time we had to stare down a server to come to our table to bring water and glasses. What struck us as particularly odd was that all members of restaurant staff including the chefs took time to stop and have long conversations with "elite members" but we were very rarely checked on. Having stayed at 4 other hotels/homestays on this same trip our experience is that the server is usually very attentive and asks if you would like any omlette. This did not happen so my partner walked up to the omlette station and stood behind two restaurant workers who were speaking to the chef. She stood there for about a minute before they noticed and had to ask them if she could order an omlette. Then as breakfast ended we were sitting at the table, taking time to sip our coffee while the buffet was being cleared. We had no intention to have any more food as it was the only and most mediocre food we had on our 3 week trip. Our server came to our table and told us that the restaurant was closing so we politely got up to leave. As we were walking out we saw multiple other groups of guests still sitting at their tables being allowed to take their time. After check out the valet pulled our rental car to the door and assisted with putting bags in the trunk. One security guard attempted to open the back door for my fiancee to sit in multiple times. We can only assume that they thought I was her driver as she is a white woman and I was dressed in the traditional mundu that men wear there. We both got the sense that this hotel is so aggressively attempting to try to be North American. They make attempts to reject the Kerala culture and cannot fathom that someone who does embrace their culture, by speaking the language and dressing traditionally, would be a guest at their pretentious hotel. Overall, the service at Crown Plaza did not meet the standards expected from a 5-star hotel. The lack of attention, poor communication, and divided service made our stay disappointing. Based on this experience, I won’t be staying here again, nor would I recommend it to...
Read moreA Royal Experience at Crowne Plaza Kochi: Where Elegance Meets Entertainment
My recent stay at Crowne Plaza Kochi was nothing short of a royal experience. From the moment I entered the grand lobby, I was captivated by the sheer elegance of the hotel. The architecture, with its modern design infused with traditional Kerala elements, exudes class and warmth. The ambience throughout the property, from the lush interiors to the sweeping views of the backwaters, creates a perfect blend of serenity and luxury.
Dining: A Culinary Delight
The in-house restaurant at Crowne Plaza deserves special praise. The menu offered a perfect fusion of local Kerala delicacies and international cuisine. Every dish we tried — from the freshly grilled seafood to the delicately spiced biryani — was masterfully prepared and presented. The service was impeccable, with staff showing genuine care and hospitality. The live cooking counters added a dynamic flair to the experience, and the desserts were simply divine.
The Hall: Opulent and Grand
The event hall was a highlight of the property — a space that radiated richness and sophistication. With crystal chandeliers, plush seating, and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, it was the perfect setting for the night’s big event — the Celebrity Night Program.
Celebrity Night: A Star-Studded Affair
The evening came alive with excitement as the Celebrity Night unfolded. The atmosphere was electric, and the crowd’s anticipation reached a peak as the stars arrived. Asif Ali, with his charming presence, lit up the room. Madonna Sebastian brought elegance and grace, interacting warmly with the audience. And when Ramzan, the sensational D4 dancer, took the stage — the crowd erupted. His performance was energetic, creative, and absolutely unforgettable.
The event was flawlessly organized, blending entertainment with luxury hospitality. Guests were treated to gourmet hors d’oeuvres and cocktails as they mingled with celebrities and soaked in the festive atmosphere.
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Final Thoughts
Crowne Plaza Kochi is more than just a place to stay — it’s a destination that delivers a rich, immersive experience. Whether you’re there for a quiet getaway, a luxurious dinner, or a glamorous night of entertainment, the hotel ensures that every moment is unforgettable. I left with wonderful memories and can’t...
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