Old Harbour House

Old Harbour House is a 300-year-old heritage building located in the heart of Fort Kochi, Kerala. Originally built during the Portuguese colonial period and later expanded by the Dutch in the 17th century, it served as the first hotel in old Cochin and later as a residential lodge for English tea brokers. Restored in 2006 by Swiss-German architect Karl Damschen, this Dutch-Portuguese colonial mansion now operates as a boutique heritage hotel while remaining an important historic landmark.

Visitors can view the exterior of this historic 300-year-old Dutch-Portuguese colonial mansion featuring large arched entrances and red-tiled roofs. The building showcases distinctive colonial architecture with hints of Portuguese influences blended with Dutch design elements. Non-guests can access Restaurant 1788 for dining in the garden area near the swimming pool. The heritage structure is visible from public streets and represents an important piece of Fort Kochi's colonial history.

Built during the Portuguese colonial period and almost completely rebuilt by the Dutch in the 17th century, Old Harbour House was the first hotel in old Cochin. It later served as a residential lodge for employees of English tea-broking firms including Carrit Moran & Co. The building was left unused for a period before being acquired by entrepreneur Edgar Pinto and restored by Swiss-German architect Karl Damschen in 2006, reopening as a heritage boutique hotel.

The building represents the layered colonial history of Fort Kochi, showcasing Portuguese, Dutch, and British architectural influences. As one of the oldest surviving structures in Fort Kochi, it serves as a tangible connection to the region's maritime trading past and colonial era. The property has been recognized as a heritage monument of the town.