Fodor's Expert Review Le Meridien

On 25 landscaped acres on the outskirts of Ernakulam, this imposing, green-tile-roofed complex houses a massive hotel and South India's largest convention center. Though the property is a good drive away from more intriguing parts of the city, it's a great spot for a soothing, relaxing holiday. The enormous marble lobby contains wooden sculptures, a vintage Ford car, and a massive traditional lamp. A modern 72-room tower, which opened in 2006, can only be reached by motorboat. Rooms are spacious, with light-wood floors and modern furnishings, including LCD TVs and splashes of bright color and art. The elegant, gray-tiled bathroom are large. Views from deluxe rooms are often gorgeous, looking across the manicured lawns to the tiered pool and the Chinese Fishing Nets beyond.