Fodor's Expert Review Casino Hotel

This modern and comfortable (albeit not particularly charming hotel has rustic, creative touches like coir carpeting in the hallways, quirky lighting in the stairwells, and tiny earthenware pots for bathroom amenities. Spacious, wood-floored rooms on the first floor have elegant interiors, with red granite bathrooms and wood-and-cane furniture; carpeted rooms on the third floor are not as attractive, but are larger and have the best views of the leafy courtyard and swimming pool. The outdoor seafood restaurant, Fort Cochin, is immensely popular with locals. There's no menu: the day's catch is merely wheeled before you in a wooden cart, and your choice is cooked to order, whether you prefer it simply grilled or exquisitely spiced. Make sure you reserve a spot in advance to eat here.