Visalam

Built by a Chettinad merchant prince as a gift for his daughter, Visalam is a rare find. Located well off the beaten track between Madurai and Trichy deep in Tamil Nadu, Visalam is a charming, authentic and lovingly restored mansion house that offers you the chance to get a feel for the traditions of the region. Visalam’s 15 heritage rooms are elegantly furnished, and the service is both professional and heartfelt, with staff encouraging you to become involved in Chettinad traditions such as garland-making or playing the traditional Tamil Nadu board game of pallanguli.

The Chettinad region is rich in cultural heritage, art and temple architecture, and it is a delight to be able to experience a truly authentic part of South India away from the crowds. When you are not dining on Visalam’s sumptuous Chettinad cuisine or relaxing by the pool, you’ll find much to savour as you explore the region’s extraordinary cultural heritage, perhaps taking a bullock cart ride to visit some of the opulent merchants’ mansions, or heading to nearby Karaikudi, made famous by wonderful novelist R.K.Narayan, to see silversmiths, stone carvers and carpenters at work.