#history
Malabar Hotel Cochin.
The Malabar Hotel ( now Taj Malabar) is one of the iconic landmarks of Cochin.
It was Sir Robert Bristow, harbour engineer of the Cochin Port under the British government, who created an island in the Vembanadu backwaters. The island was named Willington Island in honour of Lord Willington, the Viceroy of India.
Cargo ships had been calling in at the Cochin Port since its opening in 1928.
Once the wharfs in the Willington Island were constructed,
passenger liners, which were the primary mode of international travel in those days, also started calling in at Cochin from 1935.
The necessity of a hotel to accommodate the passengers arriving by ship was keenly felt.
Sanction to build a hotel was given by the Madras Government in October 1934 . The hotel was built by the Cochin Port in less than 5 months at a cost of Rs 2 lakhs, utilising the own funds of the Port.
The Harbour Hotel opened on 8th March 1935. A day later, the first passenger liner of Bibby Lines called in at Cochin Port.
Extensions were made to the hotel during 1936-37 .
Railway lines were laid up to the Boat Train Pier (the present BTP berth) and the South India Railway ran special trains for the benefit of the passengers arriving by ship.
Interestingly, Sir Bristow left for a holiday in the UK on the first Bibby Line vessel. ( The main hall in the hotel is named Bristow Hall in memory of the pioneer engineer).
Bibby line was the third liner service to call in at Cochin Port. (City Line and P&O were the first two passenger lines).
The hotel was later renamed the Malabar Hotel and Spencer’s & Co were entrusted with the management in 1950. In 1969, the hotel was leased to DC Johar & Sons.
Later the hotel was acquired by the Taj group and renamed Taj Malabar. The old buildings were fully renovated and a new multistorey block constructed. The hotel has been upgraded into a five star facility.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
