Prologue
I saw a fabulous opportunity to jump-start my
IHG reward program. I don’t have any status on IHG but there was an offer for someone who
wanted to start out. Later, I realized that I should at least stay for 2 successive
nights for getting much bigger rewards. Problem with IHG is that you have
to sign up for the offer and you don’t normally get the offer if you don’t sign
up for it.
I had choice of 2 properties - Crowne Plaza or
Le Meridian. I have never used either of the brands but I opted for Crowne
Plaza as it looked better in pictures.
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| Reception |
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| Small lobby |
Hotel
Details
Hotel has a small entrance and lobby doesn’t look that big but it is
definitely grand. Hotel’s location is right near backwaters. I believe
that is one of the tourists’ attraction for people who travel to Kerala. Kochi
isn’t a city where you have lot to do.
Check
in
Emily at counter had a huge smile and was congenial
when she signed me up for my room. She upgraded my room to that of Backwater
view room. It felt like she wanted to make sure I have a good stay. She offered
all the information; I just had to ask with a smile. Anytime I came to
reception, she gladly helped.
Room
The room, I checked in, made me feel purely
luxurious and opulent.
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| Grand entrance to the room. |
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| Large King bed |
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| View from the bed |
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| Large TV with mini bar and storage area. |
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| Bathroom View from Room Sofa |
View
Room had a fantastic view. You could see
backwaters and ocean together from the room and line of separation was lucid.
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| Day View of Swimming Pool, Back waters and Ocean at the end. |
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| Early Morning view of Backwater and pool. |
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Washroom
I
just loved the spacious washroom they had provided in my room. I definitely
have a thing for bath tub present in rooms. As soon as a hotel has a good clean
bath tub, it automatically scores brownie points on all the points. I would
always give them better score than the ones that don’t. They have
separate cabins for Toilet and Shower. Thanks to the bath tub for
there is great walk-space in washroom.
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| Large and comfortable sink |
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| Bath Tub |
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| Shower cabin that didn't feature rain shower. |
Toiletries
Crowne
provides toiletries from Biotique. I am not a fan of it but I know some people
swear by it. Hats off to them for branding their product to an extent that makes
people perceive it as a natural product. However I repeat I am not a fan.
Amenities
I
was provided with 15 mins of complimentary foot massage which was simple and
wonderful. They used balm on my foot and I enjoyed the smell throughout the
day.
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Buffet
Buffet was
on second floor and spread was decent. You had option of seating indoors or stepping
out and sit next to nature with view of swimming pool, gymnasium, backwater and
greenery of Kerala. You can
guess what I opted for.
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| Non Veg salad |
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| Fruits and Yogurt |
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| Cereal Bar |
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| Yogurt Options |
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| Two types of Cheese - Cheddar and Brie |
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| Muffins and Donuts |
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| Granola and Fruit Danish |
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| Croissant, Chocolate Danish and Donuts |
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| Warm South Indian food. |
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| Breakfast with the view. |
The spread was decent with lot of vegetarian/vegan options. I wish they
had more bakery products which were gluten-free and egg-less. I definitely
enjoyed everything I tried and commended chef for putting out elegant variety
of food options.
