Visalam, Chettinad, Tamil Nadu

A shining example of one of India's many curiosities; Visalam is one of Chettinad's many abandoned pleasure palaces. The homes of a wealthy Hindu merchant banking caste, who ploughed their finances into glittering odes to new found wealth. A generous gift from a loving father to his daughter Vishala, the property was never lived in. Great care has been taken in "retouching" rather than renovating Visalam. Original woodwork and art deco fittings remain, refurbished by the hands of master craftsmen whilst fine pillars of Italian marble have been painstakingly polished. Each of its fifteen rooms is grander than the last, with such scale evocative of its former grandeur. Enormous four-poster lie under capacious beamed ceilings in terracotta tiled rooms filled with antique furnishings. Outside there is an un-heated pool and relaxing poolside café. Almost as famous for its food, dine on typical Chettinad flavours in the formal dining hall. The Chettinad thali, served on a traditional banana leaf, with its selection of seafood and chutneys, simply must be tried. For budding Master Chefs, there are 2-3 days cooking courses available. A less frequented stop in Tamil Nadu, but so worth the visit.