Palais de Mahe - a CGH Earth Experience

Palais de Mahé Expensive hotel but not a luxurious experience. When I booked 3 nights at Palais de Mahé I was expecting a top and unique experience. A couple of points have been contributing to my below par level of satisfaction - 3 days without wifi in our room despite asking the reception for addressing the issue. Was working only in the restaurant and lobby. Not acceptable in such a property. 4G was even not working in our room. - Lack of personal touch making a hotel unique and classy. When having a tea next to the pool, there was no biscuit/sweets when even basic places are providing this small add on. No flowers in the room, only one armchair for a double occupancy room. - Breakfast: ok but nothing great for such a supposed to be top range hotel. Very narrow choice of marmelade, average quality bread basket including no French bread (only toasts on request) in a city where French bread is easily available. Croissants were not excellent when u can find very good ones at Bakerstreet, an address itself recommended by the Palais de Mahé's reception as potential a place to have coffee with Danish pastries! - Transfer to Chennai Airport done in a car without Air Conditioning. We have been informed at last minute that AC was not working giving us no opportunity to ask for an another one. Having said that the staff was doing its best to help us and was very friendly. We have been under the impression that this hotel is managed by real estate/interior design specialists BUT not by experienced hospitablity experts.

Stay at PDM was truly relaxing. The hotel blends a heritage ambience with modern comforts. The staff went out of their way to make our stay very comfortable. They were always smiling, helpful and courteous. The location of the hotel is fantastic, only a short stroll from the promenade street and walking distance from most of the nice cafes in the town. Their restaurant, where they serve the breakfast, is open air and sunny. The portions are smallish and instead of a buffet they have an ala carte menu. This is interesting and each of the 5 days we stayed there, the menu was different and stayed interesting for us throughout the day. The food was uniformly tasty and flavorful. The swimming pool in the hotel though small is very clean and well accessible from the 18 rooms in the property. The only downside is probably in certain cases there is preference on form over function- be it toiletries in the bathroom or cushions on the chairs in the room.

We realised during our holiday, CGH hotels provide excellent hotels with great atmosphere and friendly welcoming and engaging staff. On the whole these hotels been faultless , especially this one. As soon as you arrive at this hotel in the French part of Pondicherry, you soon realise everyone wants their photo taken outside this hotel (so funny). Initial welcome friendly and welcoming. Hotel is beautiful with pool in the court yard. ( my only comment would be the water was rather chilly). Being in the French part, coffee bar served excellent coffee. Lift to the our room which was beautiful, clean and well designed. Restaurant on the rood top, staff excellent and good choice of food. Food was excellent with local foods. Bar had a sitting area inside or outside over looking the inner court yard. We throughly enjoyed this stay and would return .

This was the first stop of our New Year trip to India, staying in CGH earth properties. Situated in the heart of the French Quarter of Puducherry, Palais de Mahe is a short walking distance from the beach. The hotel is so beautiful that people take selfies of themselves outside the front door. In keeping with the overall appearance of the hotel our room gave the feel of French architecture and was spacious, with high ceilings. Amazing appearance and comfort. Of the many highlights the pool and restaurant that is situated on a terrace, deserve a mention. The food in terms of quality and variety was exceptional. What impressed us the most was the staff and the quality service they provided, it was just excellent. From arranging airport pickup/transfer to a visit to the Auroville Matrimandir (Golden Globe) we felt in good hands. We couldn’t have picked a better hotel to start our holiday and celebrate the New Year.

Just had 2 nights in the Palais and it was perfect: lovely period building, amazing staff, great food (lovely roof top terrace restaurant) and perfect location: absolutely the best place to stay in Puducherry. Lots of activities organised on demand.

We had a great stay over the New Year celebrations in Pondicherry. Very lively! The hotel was perfect. Very friendly and helpful staff, nice accommodation and lovely food. Thanks for the New Year’s Eve dancing and music and wonderful food and drinks.