Heritage Madurai

True to form, the main restaurant at Heritage Madurai is The Banyan, which serves buffet-style meals in a minimalist dining area decorated with scenes of nature. The Coffee Shop offers al fresco dining looking over the temple pool and in a section of the 1970s clubhouse, the Swig & Tree Bar is a top spot for sundowners. Enjoy a dip in the crystaline tiered pool, relaxing treatments at the Jasmine Spa and scenic strolls across the grounds.

Heritage Madurai has quite the selection of rooms and suites. Each comes with a king-size bed with pops of colourful scatter cushions, a mini bar, living area and elegant en-suite bathrooms. The villas have an open-plan design with floor-to-ceiling windows, a courtyard and private plunge pool under frangipani trees. The Geoffrey Bawa Room features original honey-coloured granite flooring, and the Deluxe Club rooms have traditional window lattices, a natural motif and expansive verandas overlooking the garden.

Madurai is Tamil Nadu's second largest city and one of the oldest cities in India, meaning historical buildings are in full supply. The best way to see it all is on a walking tour through the 'Athens of the East', named after its style of architecture and lofty towers. Madurai sightseeing begins with the Meenakshi Temple. On the banks of the River Vaigai, the 6-hectare complex is filled with ornate and colourful towers. Stop off at the Ghandi Memorial Museum for a poignant look at his life and legacy.