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40  OUTLOOK TRAVELLER • OCTOBER 2011 

SUITE SIX STAYS THAT REDEFINE HERITAGE IN PONDICHERRY  BY MANIDIPA MANDAL

GRATITUDE

I Pondicherry is your pilgrimage, this is whereyou should sequester yoursel to reect on a-neury. Restored by Intach à la the determinedlyconvivial Hotel de l’Orient, this retreat enjoinstranquillity. Past its fsh-stamped threshold,this is a no-shoes, adults-only reuge—hostsKakoli Banerjee and Jyoti Cariappa Saikia preernot to subdue children’s ree spirits to stillness.TARIFF rom `2,500 CONTACT 0413-2225029,gratitudeheritage.in

LA VILLA SHANTI

The newest address on the block launched justthis month, Shanti oers 15 rooms in an old colo-nial French house. Its serene Ashram-grey açadehides clean-lined interiors inected with splasheso colour and cratsmanship: a geru-orange Tamilmessage scrolls across a wall as a headboard; aplatorm bed has handmade tiles wrapping itsbase; terracotta tiles mosaic shower enclosures;a paisley mural hides in a closet. TARIFF rom`7,000 CONTACT 4200028, lavillashanti.com

MAISON PERUMAL

For understated luxury you can’t do better thanthis exquisitely restored Tamil-quarter mansion.Traditional red-oxide and terrazzo-mosaic oors,colonial urniture, custom-designed textiles,artisanal ceramics and stained glass-shadedverandas integrate seamlessly with modernbathrooms and a lit. The menu-less courtyardrestaurant serves traditional recipes, beautiullypresented in contemporary style. TARIFF `6,940CONTACT 0484-3011711, cghearth.com

HOTEL CORAMANDAL

Bringing your conscience along on holiday? Toease it, put up at this 150-year-old Franco-Tamilhome downtown. A hotel since 2008, it supportsNatura Foundations’ projects—organic arming inCuddalore, solar energy in South Arcot, weavers’housing in Kurinjipadi. Yes, it’s old-ashioned,with pilastered terrace, ‘Indian hotel lobby’ soaset and chandelier over a shaded courtyard—butthat’s what makes it so homey. TARIFF rom`500 CONTACT 2260269, hotelcoramandal.in

ANANTHA HERITAGE

Grey columns topped with red and green ankthe courtyards and verandas o this 18th-centurybuilding. A brass Ganesha welcomes you withmarigold-sprinkled, vermillion-smeared trunk.There is no doubting this new seven-roomedproperty’s ethnic cred, but restraint and unction-ality highlight it—time-tested fnishes on oors,walls unadorned but or milk-glass shades, smallclusters o quietly classic urniture. TARIFF rom`2,000 CONTACT 2220605, ananthaheritage.com

VILLA INDRA

This unpretentious three-bedroom house on aresidential street is entered through a white-painted collapsible gate—no aspirations tomimic a villa in Provence. A simple art deco soaset urnishes a red-tiled living room. But ah,the petite rooms—named or three o Indra’smany aliases—are charming; the colour-washedbathrooms are all about optimising beauty ona budget; the beds are quietly traditional—andthe price is perect. TARIFF `1,500 CONTACT 

Homestay

Contemporary

Exclusive

Ethical

VFM

 Cosy