Malabar House, Kochi, Kerala

Built over two-and-a-half centuries ago right next to St Francis' Church, overlooking a part of the harbour, it has a Jewish heritage, as do many of the buildings in the vicinity.

At the crossroads of trade and commerce, Malabar House changed hands from Cochin Jew to British colonial sahib to, now, a German and Basque couple.

It is this interesting cultural ancestry that gives the hotel much of its atmosphere.

Besides great seafood and the typical Kerala massages, you also get a taste of traditional as well as European living (a great mix), as film director Bernardo Bertolucci discovered on his stay here.

No wonder he wrote, ‘We are really sad: today we leave this bliss,’ in the visitor's book.

Rooms are priced at Rs 9,500-14,000 in peak season, less in other seasons, and you can book at www.malabarhouse.com.