Kochi, being the commercial capital of Kerala needs to have some finer 5 star hotels for the flood of businessmen and entrepreneurs that visits Kochi every day. We do have the luxury hotels like Taj, Casino, Dream, and Le Meridian. But with the fast pace in which our city grows, we merit more. Kochi is being presented with international brands like The Holiday Inn, and The Park Hotels very soon. What more can we ask for? The Holiday Inn in Kochi! Holiday Inn is famous for being one of those budget hotels which is affordable for the middle- class. It also provides a 5 star stay to its customers. That is more than exciting. The best part is you can witness these hotels coming up in our Bypass road, and they are being built in a rapid pace. K Kumar, a resident of Kochi plans to start a business soon. “I’am happy that I’ll have good hotels to house my clients. Also, being a Kochiite all my life, I’am glad to see my city grow at such a fast pace.” Kochi is geared up for more progress. This is just a beginning. All excited to see Kochi in the next 2 years, aren’t you?

One of the best bets for a Valentines Day party is going to be the valentines day party at The Gateway Hotel, Marine drive. As if featuring DJ Ryan, DJ Sekhar, DJ Nash, DJ Abhiram, DJ Vineeth along with percussion maestro Gino was not enough this party will also feature what they would like to call, the super models of South India.

Another year is coming to an end. We all bid adieu to 2009 and beckon in 2010, the beginning to a new decade. We have a lot to look forward to in the next year, most importantly for me is the FIFA World Cup in South Africa ( pardon my try at humor, but I am serious in a sense ). But we all have something or another waiting for us in 2010, it is tradition that we say goodbye to this year in a manner befitting it. New Year to most people is synonymous with parties(wild ones), crowds, huge gatherings of people and so on. Each culture has its own way of celebrating it. Kochi is soon picking up the pace on being social and trend-savvy to celebrate New year in all manner possible. So to those still planning on what to do for the New Year’s Eve, here are some suggestions that I can merely provide.

Parties
As always a lot of people look forward to the end of the year to let loose. Parties are on of the foremost places where you can do that, well in a sane manner at the least.
Here are some parties to soothe your thirst, that is happening in Kochi on New Year’s Eve.

The Gateway hotel
One of the places where New Year parties have been happening over the past few years. Click for more info.

Casino hotel
The Casino Hotel has a retro theme to their New Year bash, if you in a retro mood check out the Casino in Wellington Island. Couple’s and Stag Entry’s cost Rs 5000/- , while kids get in cheaper.
Magic shows,DJ nights and food is what’s in store for you.

Renaissance
Rejoice is their New Year program, which they have had since 2005 where they celebrate the New Year. Its accompanied by DJ’s, Live band’s, Professional Dancer’s, a huge Gala Buffet with more than 100 dishes to try out!
This is another good place for families to try out.

Taj Malabar
One of the swankiest places in town. For fine dining check out their dinner and of course their water front lwans will be set afire by the festivities with a DJ and all the works!

Dream Hotel
Always a hot place in town for parties. Click for more info.

Glow Disco Bar
One of the clubs that offers regular parties. Bound to be a fun night over there. Click for more info.

Gokulam Park
Free Formation has a party setup for you over there.Click for more info.

Le Meridien
Celebrate the New Year with The Blue Torrent at Le Meridien. Music extravaganza by bollywood fame Shrradha Pandit, DJ’s,mega buffer dinner all await you for the New Year Celebration.

Avenue Regent
Have a succulent dinner at the Springs restaurant for the New Year or head to Loungevity, which has one of Kochi’s hottest dance floors and party your socks off late into the night.

Ramada Resort
Check out another hot party spot at the Ramada Resort, they are hosting the Song of the Seas New Year party with Kingfisher. Exotic dancers, three DJ’s, unlimited beverages,of course the food and more.

Micheals Land Resort
Another place that could be a good place to spend your New Year’s eve. Click for more info.

DD Retreat
Try out DD Retreat for fun with the family. Click for more info.

Mermaid Hotel
The Mermaid will host a Mermaid night to celebrate the New Year, with the familiar Filipino female band lending their music. Fireworks, cinematic & folk dance, karaoke and more are what they have in stock for you.

Dinner parties
If you aren’t exactly the socialite and prefer quiet dinners with your close friends to parties, a dinner at home is your best option. Whip up some of your best dishes, get your friends to pitch in with some of theirs too and welcome the New Year over some good food and Wine if you are in the mood for it. Go for whatever that fits your mood but remember the hangover that comes with it. So unless you have work to get to in the morning, have fun! Better stock up on drinks and groceries as soon as possible if you doing the hard way or have it done fast food style and order take-out.

Experience the Surreal
These are prone to had a risk tag to it as is done in the late hours, don’t worry its nothing illegal either. You can roam around the corners of Kochi where you wouldn’t be able to otherwise in peace during the day, watch the flights takeoff from the airport, the calm waves of the sea from the beaches, the alluring lights of the city from a high rise, its all up to your imagination. Park yourself at a strategic location and watch the Sunrise on the first day of the New Year with your close buds. But stay clear from any funny stuff and dangerous spots where criminals can catch you in a tight spot. Also don’t give the Police a reason to haul you in. Keep it neat and clean and you can experience something great, simple as it may seem.

Cochin Carnivale
Its harder to get to this event at Fort Kochi than any event in Kochi. The Thomppumpady bridge is jam-packed usually due to the majorly high influx of traffic into the Fort Kochi side and it is hard to get there with the police restricting vehicle movement. If you get there early enough or have two-wheelers as your mode of transportation, you really should try to get in the sight of the ‘Burning of the Santa’ on the beach side. Locals and foreigners alike throng to catch a sight of this spectacle.

Note:The New Year is always the time to be merry, alcohol do form a major factor but do refrain from drunken driving, hire a driver or decide the designated driver between your chums, don’t cause misery to your family and to others.

So on this note I wish you all A Happy New Year Kochi! See you in 2010!

Ezone events with Gateway Hotel, marine drive presents The Last Party of 2009 on new years eve. Get ready to beckon in 2010 while saying adieu to 2009 with style!
Party on from 9pm 31stDecember 09 to the wee hours of 1st January 2010.

The night has a lot in store for you! Ticket rate includes free gala dinner, Kids area for the toddlers, VIP tables with exclusive seats, Bottle services, valet parking to add class, fun games for all to join in,
Free gala dinner included in ticket rate, driver facility for safe drive back home, exciting gift vouchers, exotic Ezone dancers to scintillate your eyes, listen to the live band by White Sugar.

For the party freaks, there is treat in store for you, DJ Arvee and DJ Raish will performing to set your dancing to overdrive!

The party has a Black and white theme so dress accordingly.

For more details
contact: 04844000339,9567020502

Well.. as we all know.. World Food day is celebrated all over the world on October 16th to mark the date of founding of the FAO , the Food and Agricultural organisation , UN.!

This year , Kochi is planning to celebrate the special day in a very grand way. Most hotels in Kochi have decided to offer special prize menus .

1) Ramada Resort

• • Sunday Brunch –  Sundays will never be the same again. ! Thanks to Fennel , the multi cuisine restaurant that is specially focussed on coastal cuisines starting from Malabar to Malwani .
    • Time  : from 11:00 am every sunday till late afternoon ( lets say 3:00 pm )
    • Complementary beverages  at the ” Make your own Mocktail” counter
    • Complementary usage of the 90 m long meandering pool
    • Free use of activity center for kids
    • Special buffet for kids
    • Price : Rs.699 for adults , Rs.325 for kids of 6 to 12 years of age .,  exclusive of taxes

2) Gokulam Park

• • Periyar multi cuisine restaurant
    • Enjoy a variety of International and Indian cuisines at Periyar whch serves a lavish buffet and offers a-la-carte choices
    • Timings  :
      • Buffet Breakfast : 7:30 am to 10:30 am
      • Buffet Lunch : 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
      • Buffet Dinner : 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm

• • Yovan – The sea food speciality Restaurant
    • • Serves cocktails and healthy organic diets
      • Menu designed for food lovers and those who prefer munchies
      • Tranquility maintained by calm music and gentle lighting
      • Timing : 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm

3) The Gateway Hotel  - Diwali Nites

The Bubble cafe , Gateway Hotel celebrates Diwali with us .. ! and yes , as is obvious , in a grand style. Revel in an electric atmosphere of glowing lights, sparklers , diwali sweets and gourmet food.!

• • Cost for  Diwali Buffet Dinner  :  Rs 500 + taxes
  • For reservations plse call 2371471

4) Travancore Court

Enjoy the vast array of multi cuisine delicacies . Lunch / Dinner Buffet at East India Company .

• • Price : Rs 300 + taxes

5) The Senate – The Senator’s Choice

Enjoy a sumptuous cuisine and chic atmosphere pf “Zaika” , the multi cuisine restaurant at The Senate .