This 96-room hotel on Willingdon Island serves as an excellent base from which to explore Kochi's picturesque harbour and historical buildings, according to Andrew Saldanha, general manager, The Trident Cochin.

Speaking on the significance of the Trident in Kochi, Oberoi group president Ravi Bhoothalingam says: ``Kerala is a state endowed with immense scenic beauty and a rich cultural heritage, making it an ideal destination for tourists.'' And the Kochi hotel marks the beginning of Trident's expansion plans. A strength of 13 hotels is what the group aims at in the next few years.

For now, the hotel claims to offer a wide range of traditional Kerala cuisine at its multi-cuisine restaurant and exotic seafood at the Al Fresco dining facility by the poolside. Plus, the usual -- bar, gymnasium, swimming pool, gift shop,beauty salon, business centre, meeting rooms, et al. All this, at what cost? Well, the tariffs vary with months and seasons, and sometimes days and dates. Check them out.

Till the end of this September, the tariff rates will read something like this. A standard single room will cost you Rs 2,000 a day and a double Rs 2,300. But if you are paying in dollars, a single room will cost $75 and a double room, $80. Executive rooms with special facilities, including the use of a private lounge, are a little more expensive at Rs 2,400 for a single room and Rs 2,700 for a double room. The dollar rates for executive rooms are $80 for a single and $90 for double rooms. For an extra bed in any of the rooms, you need to shell out an additional Rs 300 or $20.

From October 1, 1999, to March 2000, the rates will go up a bit. But the tariffs during Christmas and New Year will be different from the usual range. First the regular October-March season. A standard single room will cost Rs 2,200 ($80) and a double room Rs 2,500($90) during these peak tourism months. Executive rooms will again cost more at Rs 2,600 ($90) for single rooms and Rs 2,900 ($100) for double rooms.

The Christmas-New Year season will start from December 20, 1999, and will run through January 10, 2000. During this period, a standard single room will be priced at Rs 2,700 ($90), and a double room at Rs 3,000 ($100). An executive single room will cost you Rs 3,000 ($105) during this time, and a double room Rs 3,200 ($115).

In case you're game for a trip to the `Queen of the Arabian Sea', try out the hospitality of Trident Kochi. Whether it's vacation, business or vacation-cum-business, the hotel promises not to disappoint you.