Not so much a hotel, as a family home. This refurbished 70-year-old haveli, gifted by a wealthy local merchant to his daughter in the 1930s, is now a 15-room hotel in the intriguing Chettinad area of South India, known for its exuberantly ornate 19th and 20th century mansions and for having some of the best cuisine in India!
Visalam hotel is one of the CGH Earth group; we love all their hotels, but this one is special to me. It beautifully captures the soul of Chettinad with every element coming together to create a feeling of warmth and charm. From the first greeting at the door, to the solicitous morning coffee and the perfect G&T before dinner, our hosts are warm and attentive. Training local staff is a cornerstone of this family-owned group of hotels. Fabian, the general manager here, told me that his only instructions to staff are to greet clients as you would greet an honoured guest in your own home. There’s nothing standardized here; it’s all personal.
Photo by Laurielle Penny
Photo by Laurielle Penny
The rooms are spacious, decorated with hand painted furniture, art deco pieces, and vintage photos with floors tiled in the local Athangudi ceramics. The walled gardens are ideal for lounging with a book, taking afternoon tea, or enjoying a refreshing swim in the pool. The hotel works on being as green as can be with solar-powered water heaters, a rain harvesting system, and recycled wastewater in the gardens.
Visalam is a stop on our Sublime South India Private Journey. Get in touch with Lewie to start planning your South India trip for 2022.
