La Villa

La Villa is an old French Manor House and is over 100 years old and sits in the old quarter of Pondicherry. Pondicherry was once the base for the French East India Company, as opposed to Madras (now Chennai) which was the base of the English East India Company.

Pondy as it is lovingly known by locals, fuses French style and bohemian-chic with Indian architecture and bluster and is a delightful place to amble around by day; guests can get about on one of the hotel's bicycles. A few of the locals still speak French, and you will find quaint cobbled streets, colonial era pastel painted townhouses and you can expect to tuck into amazing Franco-Indian fusion cuisine at every meal. Delve into the many cafes, restaurants and shops before picking up a freshly baked baguette. This is France in India, and La Villa is simply the best place to stay in this fascinating town.

La Villa has just six suites and as such retains an exquisite and exclusive feel about it. French designers Tina Trigala and Yves Lespirit set to work styling the hotel, retaining the old-world charm yet creating a luxurious and modern space within it, packed with little touches of designer brilliance. Blending mosaic hand-made tiles, lime plaster, local granite and teak, they have perfectly retained the old, yet brought in the new. La Villa comes across as understated, yet refined and utterly inviting in every way.

The six suites are located on either the first, second or third floor. There are four slightly smaller suites, and all except 'India Song' have an outdoor area, be it an in-room patio, balcony, terrace or veranda. The first floor rooms (North Side Story, South Side Story and Timeless) overlook the delightful hotel 40m2 pool. The rooms are wonderfully furnished with seating areas, rain-forest showers (sorry no bathtubs we're afraid) and wonderfully comfortable beds. La Villa have imported French linens and toiletries from Fragonard, yet kept little touches and design elements from the local area.

The Restaurant is located outside on the ground floor and the breakfasts are superb (French continental of course). In the evening it also serves delicious European fare.

La Villa is perfect for those wanting a peaceful, upmarket and refined boutique hotel and is ideal for honeymooners or couples. Please note that the hotel doesn't permit children under twelve.

We suggest at least three nights in Pondicherry to fully let this magical corner of India soak in. Blend it with a journey into the historic heartlands of Tamil Nadu such as Tanjore or Madurai, or some of its rural charms like Chettinad or Rajakkad.