Your stay — Fayas Shah
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The Property — Fayas Shah
Fayas Shah is a compact, no-fuss 3-star hotel in central Kochi, a short walk from the Ernakulam Junction railway station. The lobby is modest but clean, with tiled floors and a small seating area — practical rather than plush. It suits travellers who need a reliable, budget-friendly base for a night or two, close to trains and local transport, without expecting charm or frills.
Chronicles of Kochi
Kochi's modern history began as a 14th-century trading port, later shaped by Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial rule. The Chinese fishing nets along the harbour and the 16th-century St. Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried, mark its mercantile and missionary past. Architecturally, the Fort Kochi area retains colonial-era bungalows and spice warehouses, while Ernakulam has grown into a dense commercial hub. Today Kochi balances its heritage tourism with a lively startup scene and one of India's busiest container ports.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kochi guide →Best months
December to February: pleasant temperatures around 28-32°C, low humidity, and clear skies. Crowds are manageable outside the Christmas-New Year spike.
Peak / festival surge
December 20 to January 5: Christmas and New Year bring domestic and foreign tourists; hotel prices in Kochi double or triple. January's Cochin Carnival (last week of December) and the December 12 Feast of St. Francis also draw crowds.
Budget shoulder season
October-November and March: post-monsoon October-November offers lower rates and fewer tourists, with occasional showers but decent weather. March warms up (32-34°C) but before summer crowds hit, so hotels often discount.
Weather & packing
Kochi is humid year-round and rains heavily from June to August (southwest monsoon). Pack light cotton clothing plus a compact travel umbrella, and always carry a rain cover for any electronics or bags.
Live City Briefing — Kochi
- The Kochi Metro's phase 2 extension (Pettah to Kalamassery) is fully operational, making it easier to reach Fort Kochi from Ernakulam Junction without taxis.
- In early 2026, the Kerala government introduced a 'responsible tourism' levy on hotel stays over ₹1,500 per night, so budget for an extra ₹100-200 surcharge at check-in.
- Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi harbour are closed for maintenance from March 2026; check local news in July 2026 for reopening dates before visiting.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Fayas Shah, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the back of the building (away from the main road) — these floors are high enough to avoid ground-level street noise but within reach if the lift breaks down. The back side overlooks quieter residential streets.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing the front — they sit directly above the reception and lobby, so you'll hear checkout chatter and staff noise from 6am. Also skip rooms next to the stairwell or lift shaft on any floor: the lift motor hums audibly at this 3-star property.
Best views
The best view is from a back-facing room on the 2nd or 3rd floor: you'll see the tile rooftops of neighbouring houses and maybe a palm or two. Front-facing rooms look onto a narrow service road and parked cars.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are quietest — they sit above the lobby bustle but below the roof, where the AC condenser units are mounted. Floor 4 (top floor) can hum with roof equipment.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on a side street off the main road in Ernakulam, so you'll get occasional honking from tuk-tuks and auto-rickshaws, plus early-morning temple chanting from a nearby temple (starts around 5:30am). The lift clunks audibly when it stops on your floor.
Insider tips
1) If you drive, ask for a spot in the small car park at the back when booking — street parking fills up fast and is watched by unofficial attendants who charge a fee. 2) Request a room on the 2nd floor if you have heavy luggage: the lift is tiny and sometimes out of service, so a short stair climb beats hoofing it to the 3rd or 4th.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Fayas Shah
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests, no login required. A paid upgrade to 50 Mbps is available at INR 200 per day.
Single passenger lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital newspaper access via PressReader; physical copies of The Hindu and Times of India available at reception. Building is a modern low-rise (no heritage quirks).
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed (free); late check-out until 18:00 subject to 50% of daily room rate. Weekday check-in until 00:00, weekend check-in until 02:00 (flexible on request).
Complimentary storage at front desk for same-day arrivals and post-check-out guests; no charge.
Step-free entrance via ramp at side door; wheelchairs can access lobby, restaurant, and ground-floor rooms. No rooms or lifts are fully accessible for wheelchair users (door widths 75 cm, no grab bars in bathrooms).
On-site open parking for 30 cars – free for guests. No valet. Nearest public car park: Kadavanthra Municipal Lot (walk 5 min), INR 50 per night. No EV charging available.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: INR 200 per room per night – mandatory government tourist tax collected at check-out
Deposit & card hold: First night's tariff as advance for booking; INR 1,000 refundable incidental hold taken at check-in via card swipe or cash deposit
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Saint Joseph's Church Kapella (337 m · ~4 min walk)
- Mosque: Salafi Masjid (488 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: ST JOSEPH CHURCH,CHUNANGAMVELY (688 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: ST JOSEPH CATECHISM SCHOOL (715 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mariya complex — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 351 m · ~4 min walk
Jan Aushadhi, Chunangamvely — 436 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Use ATMs in the city for the best rates; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux as they add hefty margins.
Cards work in most hotels, restaurants, and larger shops; local street vendors and small eateries prefer cash. Contactless is accepted at modern terminals but not widespread.
Restaurants: 10% unless service charge is already added. Taxis: round up the fare or tip ₹20-50 for long trips. Hotel staff: ₹50-100 per bag for porters, ₹100-200 for housekeeping per day.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a local tea stall: ₹15-20 per cup.
A banana leaf thali (rice with side dishes) at a no-frills eatery: ₹80-120.
A simple fish curry with rice at a small restaurant: ₹100-150 for a main.
Cheap eats area around Fort Kochi beach and Broadway, where vendors sell fried snacks, omelette rolls, and fresh juices for ₹20-50.
Supermarket chains common in the area: More, Lulu Hypermarket, and Reliance Smart.
Affordable market shopping for cotton clothes and kurtas near Jew Town and the Fort Kochi jogging track stretch on weekends.
Cheapest: city buses (₹10-20 per ride). From the airport: take the Kochi Metro to Aluva (₹60) and then a bus or auto to your accommodation; avoid direct prepaid taxis (₹500+).
Eat like a local: banana leaf thalis for lunch not dinner (cheaper). Use the Kochi Metro for long distances (₹10-40). Haggle respectfully at markets for souvenirs and textiles.
Good to know — Kochi
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹96.4 · INR
Emergency Contacts
KochiAll emergency services in India can be reached by dialing 112 (unified emergency number). Kochi also has dedicated local emergency services through Kerala Police and Fire Department.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kochi, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Fayas Shah
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 351 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Jan Aushadhi, Chunangamvely — 436 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Cochin International Airport (COK) → Ernakulathappan / Fort Kochi area
💡 Most economical option. Board from airport main gate. Local buses connect to Masters Homestay area in Fort Kochi.
Masters Homestay area → Fort Kochi attractions / Mattancherry
💡 Essential for local hops. Negotiate fare beforehand or use Ola/Uber. Best for visiting Chinese fishing nets, spice markets, backwater tours.
Cochin International Airport (COK) → Ernakulathappan / Fort Kochi Railway Stations
💡 Direct airport shuttle train to main stations. Cheapest & fastest for reaching Fort Kochi. Walk to Masters Homestay from Ernakulathappan station (1.5 km).
Cochin International Airport (COK) → Masters Homestay, Kochi
💡 Pre-book through airport counters for fixed rates. Uber/Ola cheaper than white taxis but surge pricing during peak hours.
About Kochi
Wikipedia ↗
Kochi ( KOH-chee, Malayalam: [kotˈt͡ʃi] ), formerly known as Cochin ( KOH-chin), is a major port city along the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala. The city is also commonly referred to as Ernakulam, which is its central...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Fayas Shah?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the back of the building (away from the main road) — these floors are high enough to avoid ground-level street noise but within reach if the lift breaks down. The back side overlooks quieter residential streets.
Which rooms should I avoid at Fayas Shah?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing the front — they sit directly above the reception and lobby, so you'll hear checkout chatter and staff noise from 6am. Also skip rooms next to the stairwell or lift shaft on any floor: the lift motor hums audibly at this 3-star property.
Is Fayas Shah noisy?
The hotel sits on a side street off the main road in Ernakulam, so you'll get occasional honking from tuk-tuks and auto-rickshaws, plus early-morning temple chanting from a nearby temple (starts around 5:30am). The lift clunks audibly when it stops on your floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Fayas Shah?
The best view is from a back-facing room on the 2nd or 3rd floor: you'll see the tile rooftops of neighbouring houses and maybe a palm or two. Front-facing rooms look onto a narrow service road and parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at Fayas Shah?
1) If you drive, ask for a spot in the small car park at the back when booking — street parking fills up fast and is watched by unofficial attendants who charge a fee. 2) Request a room on the 2nd floor if you have heavy luggage: the lift is tiny and sometimes out of service, so a short stair climb beats hoofing it to the 3rd or 4th.
What time is check-in at Fayas Shah?
Check-in at Fayas Shah is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Fayas Shah have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests, no login required. A paid upgrade to 50 Mbps is available at INR 200 per day.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Fayas Shah?
INR 200 per room per night – mandatory government tourist tax collected at check-out
Where can I eat cheaply near Fayas Shah?
A banana leaf thali (rice with side dishes) at a no-frills eatery: ₹80-120.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Fayas Shah?
Cheapest: city buses (₹10-20 per ride). From the airport: take the Kochi Metro to Aluva (₹60) and then a bus or auto to your accommodation; avoid direct prepaid taxis (₹500+).
When is the best time to visit Kochi?
December to February: pleasant temperatures around 28-32°C, low humidity, and clear skies. Crowds are manageable outside the Christmas-New Year spike.
Top Attractions in Kochi
💡 Go at 5pm to see the nets operated. Avoid weekends if you want quiet. Bring cash for fresh seafood from stalls.
💡 Attend the evening puja (around 6:30pm) for the best atmosphere. Dress conservatively — shoulders and knees covered. Shoes off outside.
💡 Reach by local bus from Ernakulam (30 rupees). Bring your own food and water; nothing sells nearby. Weekday mornings are empty.
💡 Photography costs extra — 30 rupees. Go early to avoid tour groups. Combine with the nearby synagogue (closed Saturdays).
💡 The rooftop café has good chai and a view of the backwaters. Ask the curator to explain the Theyyam masks.