Visalam, Chettinad

Discover the riches of the Chettiars in a palatial 100-year-old Chettinad mansion. Get a taste of their fiery cuisine with authentic recipes. Take a ride through history on a bullock cart and visit fabled artisans, legendary weavers, and timeless temples in a heritage paradise unlike any other.

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Discover Chettinad grandeur in a 100-year-old Chettiar mansion, with palatial rooms, handmade Athangudi tiles, Burmese teak, Italian marble, and ornate woodwork ceilings, in the village of Kanadukathan.

Enjoy summer splashing in the reverse osmosis pool or retreat with your favourite book to a quiet corner and get some very precious me-time.

Start your day with traditional breakfast served at the Garden Café, under a bougainvillea pergola, with a menu that includes the must-have Paniyarams.

The Pool Café serves light lunch and snacks from 11 am to 6 pm, any time you need to replenish the energy lost after splashing in the pool.

Relish an authentic Chettinad sapad (lunch meal) at Sapadu Shala, a traditional dining space that serves a non-vegetarian thali which teases your palate with the many complex flavours of the region.

The Terrace Grill serves you the fresh catch of the day from the fishing villages along the Bay of Bengal for dinner, marinated in finely ground masalas, and grilled to perfection, with a view of the starry sky.

EXCLUSIVES

Athangudi Tile Makers

Visit Athangudi, a picturesque village about 10 km away from Visalam, and discover the ancient technique of tile making by hand, found in every traditional Chettiar home.

Handloom Cotton Weavers

Chettinad is famous for its sarees and textiles, and you get the chance to see up close and personal how these legendary fabrics are brought to life with the skill of a handloom.

Bullock Cart Ride

Take a ride through history as we transport you via bullock cart through a timeless culture with stopovers at the farmers market, antique shops, ancient temples, and lost artisans of the Chettinad legacy.

Ayurveda

Rejuvenate your body, mind and soul through the ancient healing practice of Ayurveda, with a range of herbal massages and relaxing therapies, personalised to you and prescribed by expert practitioners.

Interactive Kitchen

Learn the secrets of Chettinad cuisine from an Aachi (elderly lady) in an interactive kitchen experience that pushes the boundaries of your culinary expertise, amidst the aroma of freshly ground spices.

SNAPSHOTS

Chettinad Architecture

Antique Shops

Kanadukathan Village

Egg White Polished Walls

Ancient Game of Pallanguzhi

Sustainable Practices

Muruku Making

Paniyaram

Ancient Temples

Reviews and Ratings

Beautiful renovated mansion now a boutique hotel

Reviewed 5 February 2019

The mansions of the Chettinad region are all extraordinary and sadly often in dire need of renovation. But not here. It is already in pristine condition with the enormous bedrooms accessed from the galleries along both levels of the original grand entertaining hall. There is an open air dining room, and a lunch area by the pool. The general manager, Febin, and all his staff add to the experience. They are wonderful; friendly, smiley and ever eager to help and chat. Some clients when we were there seemd not to want to engage with them but it is a two way street. As everywhere, if you talk and smile and remeber the names you become friends for life - or at least for the stay. And the food is terrific too.

A TripAdvisor Member

Our idea of heaven

Reviewed 15 August 2018

Undoubtedly the friendliest staff and authentic chettinad food. Nothing comes close to this experience.

A TripAdvisor Member

Excellent Stay

Reviewed 5 November 2018

Courteous staff and awesome property. A treasure trove of rich heritage. Very nice, spacious, well maintained, flavour fully designed and furnished.

A Make my trip Member

A Classic Chettiar Mansion

Reviewed 17 December 2018

Staying at Visalam is about getting you into the world of the Chettiar community, it is about experiencing their lifestyle, cuisine, and culture.. They have taken the pain of renovating an old Chettiar mansion into a classic accommodation facility. The people are so friendly with a smile, that makes a big difference. They treated us with Chettiar delicacies and showed us around the village, and the cotton weaving center that has been making Chettinad sarees. A great experience in the Chettiar heartland.

A TripAdvisor Member

GETTING THERE

From Madurai Airport: About 98.7 km or 2 hr

From Tiruchirappalli International Airport: About 72.5 km or 1 hr 16 mins

From Chettinad Railway Station: About 2 km or 5 mins

Travel Tips

Wear light cottons, cool shades, and the right sunblock for the tropical summer. Chettinad is a great heritage destination with ancient temples, unique architecture and forgotten culture, best explored by foot. So, make sure you pack a comfortable pair of sneakers and a cap.