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Palais de Mahe, Pondicherry | Timbuktu Travel
Pondicherry

Palais de Mahe

Travel and Leisure Worlds Best Awards for number 1 tour operator in the world 2024 and number 2 tour operator in the world 2025
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Named three years running in Travel+Leisure World's Best, including No.1 in 2024

About Palais de Mahe

Bright and sunny - mansion living in the French Quarter has never been sweeter.
With a vibe as unique as its name, Pondicherry, fondly known as 'Pondy', is a mix of grand mansions, sari shops and walks on the beach. Filled with heritage furnishings behind the walls of a restored French bungalow, the palais blends two worlds well. Beginning with a welcome of jasmine garlands and a warm face towel, a stay here feels intimate and well-tended. Sitting in the French Quarter, the mustard-coloured Palais de Mahe is a stone's throw from the promenade where you can walk beside the Bay of Bengal. Plus, the hotel provides a handy map, so let the self-guided tours commence.
Pondicherry , India
From $290 per person/per night
None
18 Rooms
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Property details

The property

Surrounded by the sunny courtyard walls, the turquoise pool plus pinstriped loungers are very inviting. Deep verandas lined with potted plants wrap around the house and French-style arches lead from the lobby to the Earth Cafe, which opens onto the poolside patio. On the rooftop terrace, Les Alizes' serves up a variety of Indo-European cuisine including fantastic seafood. The eclectic cocktail bar is decked out in bright orange furnishings and the spa offers a range of Ayurvedic treatments.

The rooms

Spread over Palais' three floors, 18 Superior and Deluxe Rooms are decorated with black and white photos of Pondicherry and vintage furnishings. Each room has a king size bed, sitting area on the veranda and en-suite bathroom with toiletries in terracotta pots. Uncluttered and spacious, the rooms also come with a desk, TV, tea/coffee facilities and a wardrobe. The Deluxe Rooms have a lounge area and some also come with a private terrace overlooking the courtyard.

Activities

Pondicherry has many faces in the form of its three historic quarters. Explore this seaside town on a heritage tour or cycle vintage bikes over the canals to sample what each quarter has to offer. Delve into the history of Pondy at the Puducherry Museum with its collection of antiques, statues and handicrafts. If you'd like to walk on the natural side of Pondicherry, stroll along its many beaches, enjoy a house boat ride down the Chunnambar River or enjoy a spot of diving off the south coast of India.
Why we love it

Why we love it

The speciality coffee grown in the hills of South India, roasted and ground in Pondicherry, and served poolside.
Insiders tip

Insiders Tip

The staff are super knowledgable so be sure to ask for their top recommendations on places to go and things to eat.
Something to think about

Something to think about

Some rooms with a private terrace are just below the restaurant and the noise tends to carry.
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Best of Kerala & Tamil Nadu
India

Best of Kerala & Tamil Nadu

14 nights from $6.1K per person

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How to book Palais de Mahe

How do I book Palais de Mahe?

Palais de Mahe can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made India trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended India trips featuring Palais de Mahe or get advice and suggestions from one of our India specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.

How much does it cost to stay at Palais de Mahe?

Stays at Palais de Mahe start from around $290 per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.

Palais de Mahe

India

Pondicherry

Slow things down in Pondy, the Riviera of the East, with steak, shopping and a dose of spirituality.