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The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive Ernakulam

Discussion in 'Kerala' started by Issar 1976, May 13, 2017.

  1. Issar 1976

    Issar 1976 New Member

    I am going to the beautiful state of Kerala and will be in Ernakulam. There is a hotel there by the name of The Gateway Hotel and I would like to get some further information about it.

    From the photos, the hotel looks like a 5 star but there is no confirmation, and I would like this clarified by someone.

    There are balcony rooms in the hotel and I would like to know what the view is like from the balcony, only then I would consider booking that particular room.

    There is also a pool within the hotel premises and I would like to know if the hotel services food and drinks outside near the pool?
     


  2. adrklkol

    adrklkol Member

    Can't say much. You need to explore from the website or ask them personally.
     


  3. briannagodess

    briannagodess Well-Known Member

    Hello, welcome to the forum!


    What is The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive in Ernakulam?

    The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive is a five-star property in Ernakulam. It is a venture of the famed Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, a subsidiary of the Tata Group of Companies. The Gateway Hotels can be classified as mid-market properties that are located in either tourist destinations or business areas. The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive can be found in Ernakulam, which is in Kochi. This is a sea-facing property, where you can enjoy the views of the vast Arabian sea from your room or some other areas. The best part is that they have a variety of rooms and suites that you can choose from, depending on the set budget that you have.

    Where is The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive Located in Ernakulam?

    The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive is located in the western side of Ernakulam. Specifically, you can find it off the Shanmugham Road, close to the Marine Drive Walkway and the Ernakulam Jetty Point. It is located close to commercial hubs like the Bay Pride Mall, KTDC Shopping Complex and Sridhar Cinema, which are all within walking distance from the property. If you're coming from cities located at the northern part of India with your own vehicle, simply take the National Highway 966A, which would lead to Goshree Road and then into the Shanmugham Road. The nearest railhead is the Ernakulam Town Railway Station, which is under four kilometres from the hotel, having direct trains from cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

    What is the Overall Vibe of The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive in Ernakulam?

    The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive is spread around a six-storey high building which has a creamy beige facade and red roofing. The reception is quite exquisite, with a combination of wooden-gilded and marble-gilded areas. It is neither showy nor plain, just has that balance of wonderful aesthetics which give you a glimpse of the surrounding theme of the hotel, old-fashioned and a bit on the classic side. The rooms are exemplary examples of dated interior styles, with the hardwood flooring, traditional furnitures and pure white walls. From the windows, you can enjoy the view of either the harbour or the city.

    What are the Rooms and Suites Types in The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive in Ernakulam?

    You have plenty of rooms and suites options in the property. There are three main types of accommodation, namely: Superior Room, Executive Room and Executive Suite. The former can be subdivided into two types, one has a city view while the other has a sea view. The latter two accommodation options both have sea views albeit priced on the higher side. All rooms and suites exude a grand vibe, with their colonial era furnitures and draped curtains which add to the effect. They are also fitted with modern amenities such as television, minibar, kettle and safety deposit box.

    Rooms and Suites in The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive

    Accommodation TypeViewRate Per NightInclusion/s
    Superior RoomCityRs. 4,864Room + WiFi + Taxes
    Superior RoomSeaRs. 5,824Room + WiFi + Taxes
    Executive RoomSeaRs. 6,784Room + WiFi + Taxes
    Executive SuiteSeaRs. 14,464Room + WiFi + Taxes
    The most affordable room option is the Superior Room, which you can choose either from a city-facing room or a sea-facing room. The latter costs more and you can enjoy the partial sea views right from your window. The Executive Room is a notch higher, giving one a more direct view of the sea. It is more spacious as well, suitable for couples or even a small family. The Executive Suite is the most expensive but also the most spacious option. It even has a separate lounge area with television where the guests can enjoy time watching television. It has the best view of the sea and harbour as it faces these areas directly.

    What are the Dining Options in The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive in Ernakulam?

    There are three main restaurants in this five-star hotel. They have varying cuisines of both the local and international standards. Two of them are fine dining restaurants while the last one is a casual dining restaurant. The quality of meals served in all restaurants are quite good, though not as remarkable as compared to its brothers and sisters of the same hotel chain. Of course, the prices are on the higher side considering that you get a variety of meals without leaving your hotel.

    Dining Options in The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive

    RestaurantCuisine/sBest-SellerOpening and Closing Times
    The Bubble CafeContinental, Asian, Mediterranean and South IndianPrawn Kakathil6:30 to 23:30
    SianChinese, Japanese and ThaiMee Sua (Buckwheat Noodles)6:30 to 23:30
    DeliBaked Goods, Desserts and PastriesBanana Strawberry Ice Cream11:00 to 23:00
    The most highly raved restaurant here is The Bubble Cafe, which is their multi-cuisine fine dining restaurant. It offers Continental, Asian, Mediterranean and South Indian cuisines dishes to guests. It has a vast variety of dishes from the latter cuisine though and the Prawn Kakathil is one of their best sellers. The restaurant has a very light and airy ambience especially during day time, as the sunlight passes through easily from its thin ceilings. The interiors are very simple, with just hardwood flooring and wooden chairs. The restaurant also has a view of the sea so you can enjoy dining whilst gazing at the sea views.

    Sian is another of their highly raved restaurants. In contrast, this is a pure Asian restaurant, which serves Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisines dishes to guests. Their Mee Sua or Buckwheat Noodles is authentically Chinese, a dish that everyone in the family can enjoy. Its ambience is more laid-back but still has that air of sophistication. The last restaurant is called Deli, which as the name suggests, an all-day diner where you can get some snacks and sweets from. They have cakes, breads and ice creams that you can enjoy. Do try their Banana Strawberry Ice Cream, mildly sweet and tangy, giving you a refreshing experience in the property.

    What are the Facilities in The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive in Ernakulam?

    There's an on-site bar named Swirl, where you can get your fill of alcohol-based beverages such as wines, spirits, vodkas and more. However, the classy bar doesn't offer any meals or snacks that's why it wasn't included in the restaurant list above. You would find the fitness centre on the sixth floor, with stunning views of the surroundings from its glass-panelled walling. Equipments like treadmills, static cycling machines and some weights can be found here. There's a spa as well, which has this luxurious vibe due to the all wooden furnitures, even the bed for treatments. Here, adults can enjoy some pampering time while their kids spend time in the play area, where they can watch child-friendly shows or play with toys under the supervision of a caretaker.

    For leisure, spend some time in the outdoor swimming pool of the property. It gives off a beach vibe with its tall coconut trees and surrounding sun loungers. It is located at an extreme end of the hotel but it does have an attendant which you can request for your needs such as drinks, meals or towels. For those who just can't be without internet, the hotel lets guests access it without any charges, from all areas of the property. However, signal might not be as strong on some rooms, especially those too far from the centre. Workaholics and businessmen can rejoice in knowing that the hotel has a very functional business centre, where they can print work-related stuff or fax important items to clients for additional surcharges. Of course, the hotel also has venues for meetings or even special events such as birthdays and weddings.

    Other facilities offered by the hotel for additional charges are varied. They have an airport shuttle which transfers passengers from the airport to the hotel and vice versa. They also have a practical travel desk in the lobby where you can avail of services such as sightseeing guide, ticket bookings and more. For those who want to explore the city but have too much luggage with them, you can avail of their luggage storage so you can go hands-free whilst on a tour of the city. For parking, the hotel offers valet parking and normal parking, but you can also find other nearby spots to park though at your own risk. Finally, the hotel also provides for a complimentary sunset cruise everyday at around 17:00 in the afternoon for staying guests.

    What is the Verdict?

    The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive is one of the two Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces properties in Kochi. Its advantage is that it has more reasonable rates than the other property. It is also located a bit further from the city centre, so you have that sense of serenity, especially with the beautiful sea views. While it does have modern amenities, its claim to fame is its dated style of architecture, giving it more personality than the usual contemporary hotels of the city. The warmth of the staff and management is yet another feature that makes the property a top-notch hotel choice in the city.

    I hope this helps you!:)