Fodor's Expert Review Old Harbour Hotel

Just opposite the Chinese Fishing Nets, this 1837 Dutch heritage building, a former brokerage house, reopened in 2006 after a two-year restoration by the same folks who designed Brunton Boatyard. All of the brightly colored rooms are tastefully decorated with antique fixtures and contemporary Indian artwork, and most are spacious and filled with natural light; bathrooms are also inviting, with marble and glass. They also have views of either the fishing nets or a walled garden, where guests can dip in the elevated pool or read under a canopy of tall trees. The three cottages—beautifully designed with open-air showers bounded on one side by the garden's original Portuguese wall—are on the small side. Edgar, the proprietor, is brimming with tips about local sights, restaurants, and the history of the building and his hometown.