Visalam

The Chettinad region is famous for its excellent cuisine, beautiful temples and extravagant mansions built over the years by the Nattukottai Chettiars, a prosperous banking and business community. A couple of nights here will allow you to experience their legacy - an area now rich in cultural heritage, art and architecture, alongside the quiet and rustic charm of the now predominant farming community.

Vislam is the latest addition to the CGH Earth group of hotels and so guarantees a level of service and comfort that is not easily found in this less visited part of India. Built during the war and, very unusually for the daughter of a local merchant, the property exudes the simple grandeur of the period’s elite. Renovated with care and now benefiting from modern comforts such as air conditioning and a swimming pool, the 15-room property still benefits from an elegant heritage feel.

There are three dining spaces; the breakfast lounge, lunch room, and terrace deck offering traditional Chettinad cuisine. The staff are welcoming and invite you to get involved in Chettinad traditions such as morning ‘rangoli’, sprinkling coloured rice powder in geometric decorative patterns in the hallways; making 'Poomalai’ or flower garlands; or learn to play the traditional Tamil board game, 'Pallanguli'.