Home-spun hospitality and traditional Chettinad cuisine at its finest.
Settled in the heart of Karaikudi, The Bangala is part homestay, part hotel and full-time family home. Every inch of the house, from family heirlooms at the front desk to recipes handed down from one generation to the next, is touched by the property's 100-year history. Pavilion lounges and wide verandas are a welcome spot to relax and the food is known for its signature flavour - the Chettiars certainly know how to feast. Part of staying at the Bangala is getting to experience Chettinad's culture and history, with guided tours taking you to its very heart.
Visalam
Chettinad
From
$280
per person/night
Elegant aesthetics, friendly staff and top-shelf cuisine wrapped up in a homely environment.
One of 76 villages in colourful Chettinad, Kanadukathan feels like it was plucked from another time with its majestic villas and buzzing marketplaces. Once the gift from a patriarch in the Chettiar family to his eldest daughter, Visalam exudes the spirit of summer get-togethers. The grand manor house looks rather modern from the outside with a manicured pool area but the interiors stay true to its origin. Restored by local weavers, tile makers and carpenters, the hallways and spacious rooms have a traditional style. Guided tours through the village are lead by locals with home-grown insight like where to get the best masala chai.
