Saratha Vilas Chettinad

Pros +

• Beautiful hotel and the staff are extremely hospitable. I felt like i stayed with family. They were very accomodating. Food is delicious! I even got to take a couple of local dishes back home to Blore that the chef prepared for me on request.
• The managers, two French men, have compiled a great amount of information about the Chettinad area and provided it to each guest in the form of binders. They are instrumental in applying to make Chettinad a UNESCO World Heritage site. With the right backing from the Indian government and Tamil Nadu State this can succeed, and make the area of Chettinad into a true cultural heritage instead of letting it decay into yet another nondescript area of the country. Their commitment to the heritage of India is truly remarkable and commendable. The place was expensive. They make up for it by giving huge rooms and including meals. Comparable properties charge lesser for the room, and make up for it with expensive meals. Also, the room they gave us came with its own area in front, making me think about how nice it could have been to while away a few lazy days there.

Cons -

• The mansion had been stripped of its ceiling before it was handed over to be made into a heritage hotel. What a loss, may be impossible to restore.