Sonnetta Residency

India , Kochi-Cochin
COCHIN , Princess St, Fort Nagar, 1/387
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50 reviews shown

8/10

Excellent

18 Dec 2019

David

Made to feel very welcome here

Sonnetta Residency is a homestay located in the heart of Fort Kochi district in Princess St. It is in easy walking distance to the foreshore and Chinese nets as well as the ferry service. Breakfast is included in the price but other meals are unavailable, however there are many very good and reasonably priced restaurants in walking distance in Princess St, Rose St and others. It was nice to be able to try so many. I suggest A/C room as it can get quite hot. The owner and staff are very friendly and helpful. They can arrange tours, taxis, etc if needed. Kochi felt very relaxing and I would be happy to stay at Sonnetta Residency again.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

Great place! Highly recommended!!
Friendly and most helpful staff.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Sep 2018

Reuben

Home Sweet Home

I felt at home. Excellent employees, good breakfast and a great location.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Sep 2018

Reuben

Sweet Home

Truly amazing. They make you feel at home. A very informal and professional attitude from all the employees.

8/10

Excellent

28 Feb 2018

Verified traveler

Great location, very helpful staff.

Reliable hot water (unusual in India), comfortable bed, great location.
Staff super helpful (many thanks for sorting out an airport taxi for us at a very short notice after we were stood up by our driver).

Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Feb 2018

George

Pleasant hotel in Fort Cochin

A pleasant hotel in the centre of Fort Cochin within easy walking distance of restaurants, sights and transport. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a convenient, budget alternative to big chain hotels. The staff were very pleasant and helpful.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2018

Susana

Homelike, sweet, close to water

The owner, staff, and other guests are very friendly. Sonnetta can help you arrange day trips and more in the area. The place is very clean: people are asked to leave shoes in a rack downstairs. Breakfast is small and cooked on-the-spot-- a good opportunity to meet other travelers, since we sit together. My room was for four people and worked well. I see that there are many equally well located places to stay in Fort Kochi, but I would stay at Sonnetta again because of the owner and people who work there.

8/10

Excellent

06 Feb 2018

lucerne

Good location in the main Street in Fort Cochin.

This home stay provided me with almost three weeks accommodation at an excellent room rate. I was staying longer than most since Fort Cochin is a very popular destination for backpackers and turnover at the home stay was high. It wouldn't be fair to rate this accommodation in the same way as a hotel. Nevertheless, the room was comfortable and the staff friendly and helpful in every respect.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jan 2018

james

So nice we stayed twice.

Close to everything but the airport. Good WiFi new flat screen. Lots of hot water. Nice family atmosphere, well maintained. Next time I'll stay here again.I

Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2018

Terrific stay in a great location.

The staff here are amazing. They are welcoming and willing to help in any way they can to make your stay memorable and help you feel at home. They organized our tour experiences and transfers at a moments notice. The facilities and room amenities are basic and a little old, but the room was incredibly clean and very comfortable. Bottled water is always provided. Great value for money. Cafes, restaurants, shopping, beach and bars are just a few minutes walk in this beautiful area. I would stay here again in a heartbeat and recommend to all travelers and backpackers.

6/10

Pleasant

17 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

Good value for money

For within this budget the accommodation is good. Nice location, all facilities fine and the family were friendly.

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2018

Murdo

Memorable stay

This was my first visit to Cochin and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The hosts were wonderful, the hotel is situated in a great location in Fort Cochi. I look forward to returning.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Dec 2017

Verified traveler

The place was excellent, location great. Breakfast was home made every day. Highly recommend.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Dec 2017

kathy

Excellent hotel for cleanliness made very welcome
Location good very central to the bus and ferry
No beaches only fishing beach but great to watch
Only negative was continental breakfast only had toast maybe a little more selection

10/10

Exceptional

07 Oct 2017

Mohini

Wonderful clean hotel with warm friendly staff.

We were warmly welcomed by the owner Xavier and staff on our arrival. The airport pick up had been arranged efficiently prior to this. We were early to check in and so they kindly made another room available for us to rest and refresh while they prepared our room. All the rooms and hotel throughout are very clean with everything in good working order. We were able to get sound advice and arrange excursions as well very efficiently. Xavier is a well-established member of the community and as such, was able to advise and guide us well. Also the staff are willing to chat and we made friends with everyone there! Breakfast is simple and freshly prepared and delicious. We will return and thoroughly recommend Sonnetta's to anyone looking for a homely, quiet and cultured visit. Kerala Kathakali Centre is 5 mins walk and Xavier arranged the tickets for performances there too.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Sep 2017

Edmund

Amazing location, highly recommend

Lovely staff and location. Perfect place to stay to see all Kochi and surrounding areas. Lovely room and bathroom. Really enjoyed the staff and amazing breakfast.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Aug 2017

Kumari.

Very happy. Value for money. Super location.

Super location. Near Chinese fishing where I could eat fresh sea food. Kerala style. Superb. Very safe as I was a female teavelling alone. No doubt in recommending to any one.

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2017

Mike

Friendly and Comfortable

Very friendly people and a great location in Fort Kochi. Great value for money with air con, cable TV and fridge.

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jan 2017

Verified traveler

Cute Cochin (Kochi)

Xavier is the Christian owner, named after St. Francis, and will likely greet you. If he gives you advice you should follow it. On display is his picture with Mother Theresa.
Xavier will explain all the switches and adjustment for the shower. It was first shower that had water hot enough to scorch you—be careful. You can request AC if you are overwhelmed by the heat, but the fan is the better choice. Marble floors throughout and good wi-fi. The included breakfast is either a toast and beverage style or an Indian choice. It is a mistake to not choose the Indian breakfast. The room door has a curtain, which is customary, and a formidable latch and pad lock-which I never felt necessary so I didn't even use it.
Princess street is best described as the cutest street in Kochi and just off the peripheral walkway.

8/10

Excellent

26 Feb 2016

Verified traveler

Right in the heart of Fort Kochi

Aging, but well maintained and well appointed, quaint place right in the center of tourist interests in Fort Kochi.

8/10

Excellent

24 Feb 2016

Verified traveler

Nice hotel Staff

I went to the hotel in the afternoon and the staff there help me booked a backwater cruise for tomorrow. The hotel is very close the the Chinese net and have a few nice restaurant nearby.

8/10

Excellent

30 Nov 2015

Robert

On Princess street, great location

Originally was going to stay only 1 night but decided to extend to 2.
I usually only book my first night in a hotel until I can see the condition before deciding to stay any longer, but if you are like me and are considering staying a few days in Cochi, there's no need to hesitate to book multiple nights at the Sonnetta Residency.
For me, the important things in accommodations are: a clean bed, good wifi, a good location, and if possible breakfast included and Sonnetta had all these things.
Breakfast was a little simple, coffee, a few toad with jam and a banana, but that's pretty much what I eat on any weekday when I'm at home.
Across the street from Sonnetta is a pretty good restaurant as well, with chairs laid out on a terrace.

The manager, I didn't get his name, but he genuinely seemed concerned about my comfort/happiness more than turnover and the business aspect as is usually the case in India.

A tip for getting there from Ernakulam junction station. Take the ferry to Fort Cochi.
Ferry pier is about 15 minute walk from train station, or 40 rupee tuk-tuk, then a 6 rupee ferry ride to Fort Cochi, then another 15 minute walk from the jetty to the hotel. Just ask around for \"princess\" street, everyone knows where it is.

I would not hesitate to stay at Sonnetta Residency again.

8/10

Excellent

27 Nov 2015

Robert

Come for 1 day, stay 3

At first I only booked one night in Cochi but I enjoyed the environment so much I stayed a little longer.
I usually only book my first night in a hotel until I can see what it's like before deciding to stay longer but I can assure you, if you are like me and planning to stay 2 or 3 night, don't hesitate to book them all at once if you're staying at The Sonnetta Residency.
Also, the gentleman at the reception, I didn't get his name but he seems to run the place, is genuinely friendly and helpful.

The breakfast was simple, milk coffee, a few toast with jam and a fruit, in my case a banana. For me it was enough, that's usually all that I eat on weekdays when I'm at home.

There's also a pretty good restaurant across the street with chairs outside. Good food, good portions, reasonable price.

A tip for getting to Kochi, take the ferry.
The ferry pier is about a 15 minute walk from Ernakulam junction. Then a 6-rupee ferry ride to Fort Kochi jetty.
Then another 15 minute walk from the jetty to the hotel.
After the ferry ride, when you get to fort Kochi jetty, just ask around for \"Princess street\", everyone knows where that is.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Oct 2015

M H

Glad I chose to stay here !!

We went to Kochi on vacation and stayed at Sonnetta for 3 days. It is located just a couple minutes walk from the sea side (not a beach where you can get into water and play or swim). It is located on a charming street with old Portuguese style buildings. Sonnetta is also a heritage building, although the recent renovations have robbed it of the heritage feel inside. The rooms are clean and the service is very friendly. All tourist attractions in Fort Kochi are within walking distance (2-3 Kilometers). Breakfast was complimentary and was quite good. Eating joints nearby are plenty.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jun 2015

Joe

Very central in Fort Kochi.

The proprietor and staff were very friendly and helpful.
I am a return customer.

8/10

Excellent

28 Jun 2015

robbie

Very friendly people & like family after a daystay

Good part of town close to beach ferry & restaurants.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2015

Verified traveler

well positioned hotel

needed air conditioning in late feb. only continental breakfast but more like homestay than hotel

8/10

Excellent

20 Feb 2015

Verified traveler

Very well located for a couple of days in FC.

Very helpful owner, comfortable accommodation , good value.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2015

Cristina

Very friendly staff, clean room!

Showed up for late check-in (12am) they had a very nice young man waiting for me, so thoughtful.
Room was clean and had everything we needed (mini fridge, safe)
Very close walking distance to Chinese fish nets and shops.

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2015

Verified traveler

sweet little homestay in the centre \n

great people and can't best the price for clean and cheerful.

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jan 2015

suru

Truly home-stay

Sonetta is a very warm homestay situated at the prime-est location you need while staying at Kochi. We were there for the beinnale fest and this place is bang at the centre. Chinese Nets are just stone throw away, to get a glimpse of morning fishing acts. Also every other place you heard of near Fort Kochi it is a stone throw away...
The staff is cordial and helpful in every sense. Great facilities, a home like atmosphere.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Dec 2013

amoka

convenient location

The room we had was a good size and clean. Bed for me was a little too hard so I had a little back discomfort in the mornings but besides that the owner and the staff was extremely helpful with recommendation os restaurants and stuff. There isn't much in Fort Kochi so one night is more then enough to do an half day of sightseeing and try 2-3 restaurants. The Sonnetta Residency is at a great location for walking around.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

13 Mar 2013

Magda

Useless staff

The place is very clean, very nice and right in the heart of Fort Cochin. However, we had a rather stressful experience due to hotel staff. When we arrived (midday) we were told we could not go up to our room until we walked one block down the street to an internet cafe and brought back a printout of our hotel confirmation. We had the email confirmation open for them on our phone but that would not suffice. We noticed a printer right on the front desk and asked if they or we could just print it from that but were told it was \"for official hotel use only\". We thought this was really ridiculous , but eventually (due to lack of communication, not empathy) we were allowed to our room without the print out. We spoke to the manager about it when he arrived and there was another communication gap. I think he apologized at one point, but mostly the focus of the conversation turned to him complaining about previous guests stays, and the travel agency they worked with not paying him. This had nothing to do with us (as he himself stated) but he probably talked about it for 20 minutes straight instead of dealing with our complaint. The whole scene just left us frustrated for the rest of the day unfortunately. Also, wifi is non-existent in the rooms and sketchy in the front lobby, so do not believe their claim to wifi. Also, they don't actually care that it doesn't work and look at you blankly when you ask. They have a nice hotel but the service has turned sour unfortunately.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2013

Melissa

Perfect location and friendly staff

I highly recommend the Sonnetta Residency. The location is great; it is in a safe location near to many restaurants. The rooms are spacious and clean. Very good value for the price. The owner and staff are helpful and friendly and can book trips/tours from the hotel.

6/10

Pleasant

11 Feb 2013

Margaret

It's adequate

It's in a good location and it's reasonably priced. The room had a bit of a musty smell but that's probably due to the high humidity levels in Southern India. They also require you to remove your shoes when entering the building. It seems making it easier for the floor cleaners is more important than protecting my feet from other people's diseases! The wifi service isn't always available, even when there is power, but at least the service is free. They tried to charge me for AC even though I'd paid for an air conditioned room so it's a good idea to have a copy of your invoice because their record keeping isn't the greatest.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Dec 2012

Jacqueline

Nice place to stay in Fort Kochi!

Overall, nice budget accommodations! Our room had strong wifi, clean sheets, and hot water, which is really all it takes to make us happy. As a bonus, it had a fridg, TV, and AC. We couldn't get our AC to work, but we didn't try too hard since the weather was nice, and we suspect it was due to user error. The owner helped us book an overnight houseboat too, at a reasonable price for a reasonable experience.

8/10

Excellent

27 Nov 2012

Verified traveler

Great hotel.

There was an older guy that ran the place. Was very knowledgable and helpful.

4/10

Poor

29 Sep 2012

Roger

Basic hotel should probably try slightly harder

I stayed in room 205, an A/C room. The A/C was a good idea in late September. The room is basic, with a TV, small fridge (did not use), and bathroom with no separate shower (its like the sink and toilet are in one giant shower). The staff (it seems like a father, his sons and younger daughter) are generally helpful, honest and pleasant. I did not book anything from them, but they did provide info about transportation. The location is great, on quaint Princess St. The BAD: The bed was gross—if you removed the top sheet there were obvious stains and hairs. There was also a smell of oldness and slight mildew to all of the fabrics in the room. I don't know if I'd pay more to stay elsewhere because I am not too demanding, but they should clean their beds better and my wife (who wasn't with me) would not have liked it.

8/10

Excellent

30 Jul 2012

lajo

great value!

very homely, comfortable and clean. very close to the chinese fishing nets. the staff were very helpful and friendly, we checked in very early (before 6 am) and not a grumble! the owner had very good tips for us, the boat tour he recommended was perfect. only flaw was that they didnt have a heater in the shower (wasnt freezing cold, but warm water would have been nice on a rainy morning). but i'm sure they did have provisions for running hot water or would have switched on the heater wherever it was if i had asked, but i had already showered then.

Family

2/10

Poor

08 Jan 2020

Emmanuel

Hôtel qui ne correspond pas au descriptif
Très vieillissant

Partner

8/10

Excellent

31 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

Bella posizione, personale gentile, le camere pulite

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

05 Mar 2019

Véronique

Bon hôtel

Très bien situé ce petit hôtel est propre et confortable . Le jeune garçon à l’acueil est très gentil et très serviable tout comme les deux femmes qui préparent le petit déjeuner .
Par contre le patriarche qui vous reçoit n’est pas vraiment agréable. Je vous le recommande cependant.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Feb 2019

Lars

Centralt litet hotell i Fort Cochin

Sonetta ligger väldigt centralt i Fort Cochin. Nära till det mesta och alltid en ricksha inom räckhåll. Familjen / personalen på hotellet väldigt trevlig och hjälpsam. Frukostmatsalen var liten, förmodligen deras eget kök... Duschen fungerade men det blev vått i hela toaletten när man duschade. Hotellägare delade gärna med sig av en massa bra tips

Friends

8/10

Excellent

20 Jan 2019

Verified traveler

localisation dans la ville
propreté
accueil du personnel

10/10

Exceptional

03 Feb 2018

Carlo mika

je recommende

Vraiment chouette, très bien placé, personnelle super agréable et sympathique

10/10

Exceptional

23 Dec 2017

Vincent

Great stay at Kochi

Sonnetta homestay is situated in a prime location in Fort Kochi. Its owner was very helpfull for booking backwater excursion and transport to Munnar. Breakfasts were excellent. All staff were exceptionally nice.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Aug 2017

Gabriel

good hotel

the boss is very friendly to every traveler,and the hotel close to bus station,sea,and store that selling Necessities of life .老闆對每一位顧客都很親切,第一天入住跟最後一天,我向他詢問是否能夠先寄行李在他那邊,他都很樂意接受,幫了我這個出門在外的人一個大忙,不用再提著大包包去逛街,這個旅館也鄰近公車站,大概走個幾百公尺就到fort cochin往機場的終點站,附近晚上也有一條街在賣晚餐跟消夜,價格貴了些,鄰近沙灘跟一些教堂景點,同一條巷子尾也有賣生活用品的商店,只不過態度不太好,會亂找錢(跟旅館無關)
旅館地點相當的不錯,值得推薦

8/10

Excellent

08 Mar 2017

jacques

excellente prise en compte des clients et de leurs desiderata

Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Feb 2017

Verified traveler

朝食開始時刻が遅い

くわしく知らないことでもベターの回答をしてくれる。ロケーションも良く、宿泊料も安い。
ただ朝食が8時45分からと遅いので観光に支障が出る。他のインドのホテルでも朝食開始時刻が総じて遅いが、ここよりは早い、簡単なトーストとオムレツ、バナナ、紅茶だけ提供するのだから、そして部屋数からしても数人分だけだから、もう少し希望者には早くだしてほしい。

10/10

Exceptional

27 Dec 2016

Verified traveler

Wonderful! We were very satisfied with everything!