Visalam Chettinad Palace - a CGH Earth Experience

Our stay at Visalam was nothing short of wonderful. The property exudes the old-world charm of the Chettiar heritage, making you feel like you've stepped back in time while still enjoying modern comforts. The hospitality of the support staff was warm and welcoming, adding to the overall experience. However, what truly made our visit exceptional was our guide, Siva. He took us on an incredible tour of the grand Chettiar mansions, pointing out intricate details that we would have otherwise missed. His deep knowledge, professionalism, and engaging storytelling brought the history of the region to life. Beyond the mansions, he also took us to the Athangudi tile-making factory, where we got a firsthand look at the meticulous craftsmanship, and to a snack-making business run entirely by women, which was both a fascinating experience. Siva has a fantastic rapport with the local community, and it’s easy to see why he is a local celebrity guide. His fluency, passion, and ability to connect with people made the tour truly special. If you are visiting Visalam, Chettinad, I highly recommend requesting Siva as your guide, you won’t be disappointed! Visalam, with its heritage charm and outstanding service, is the perfect place to soak in the rich culture of Chettinad. A must-visit!

A beautifully restored Chettiar mansion in the heart of the Chettinad region. Everything about our stay was perfect. The room was spacious and like the whole hotel, furnished with heritage items in keeping with the history of the house. We went on the walking tour through the village ,and the Peacock bike ride early in the morning. Both wonderful and illuminating. The restaurant food was delicious and we were consulted on spice level tolerance. The pool is beautiful for a relaxing swim. The tea cart in the garden is a genius idea. The hotel staff are friendly and helpful. The shop in the hotel has a range of eco friendly gifts, including the locally made soft cotton towels used in the bathrooms. Our favourite hotel as we crossed from Kochi to Chennai.

While its a very nice property, the chefs cheated by giving vegetbles mixd with Curry of a chicken dish. The food was average but they were unethical whicle serving food to a pure vegetarian people. After a lot of arguments. they admitted that they had used gravy from a chicken dish! Please be careful especially if you are a vegetarian. This incident put us of completely.