I travelled to Kochi in April.
The hotel I stayed, Le Meridien. I believe it is by faar the best hospitality experience I enjoyed in Kochi. I did stay at Taj Residency in past, which is pathetic to the core.
Le Meridien has amazing collection of wine and superb restro-bar. The best part of the hotel is the promptness in service, which most of the big daddies in hotel category forget about.
The massage center is great. For a cool Rs 1000, one can have a superb full-body massage which last for almost an hour. Its truly heavenly.
One problem which would occur to the traveller who has engagements in Ernakulam/Kochi town is that the property is not very close from the town.
Though the view from the property is not as good you will get from Taj Residencey or Taj Connemara, but the service and food wins the race, specially if you are staying here for a week or so.