Saratha Vilas Chettinad

The Chettiars of Tamil Nadu had long served as India's merchants, agriculturists, and artisans, but when the British and French arrived, they took on another role - that of bankers. Prosperity followed, and with their wealth, the Chettiars built extravagant mansions made with expensive materials and embellished with intricate decor.

In 1905, a widely successful merchant by the name of Thiru S.A.S.S. Subramanian built himself a mansion, partly as a monument to his accomplishments. Its design follows the tenets of Vastu Shastra, which combines practical and mystical concepts in architecture and wellness. However, fortunes eventually decline, and by the latter 20th century, the mansion fell into disrepair.

It was brought back to life in 2010 when two French architects, Bernard Dragon and Michel Adment, fell in love with the Chettiar mansions and made repeated trips to the region. Eventually, they acquired one for themselves, which they soon restored and turned into the heritage boutique hotel Saratha Vilas Chettinad.

For over a thousand years, the architectural concepts of Vastu Shastra have shaped how the people of India design their homes, whether it's a humble farmhouse or a royal palace. In the case of Saratha Vilas Chettinad, the layout follows along a longitudinal axis through a series of courtyards, halls, and facilities. Each section has its own aesthetic, such as the thinnai verandah with dark marble columns, a main hall with colorfully painted sculpted wood, and a central courtyard filled with granite pillars.

Similar to his peers, Subramanian Chettiar used imported materials when building his mansion. The wooden beams and supports are made of Burmese teak, and the marble for pillars and floors was sourced from Italy and Belgium. The ceramics and porcelains used for decoration came from Japan and parts of Europe, while the pressed metal ceilings were acquired from England.

During Bernard Dragon and Michel Adment's restoration of the property, they consulted and hired local artisans to ensure the mansion's aesthetics remain authentic and close to its original form. Although modernizations such as a spa and pool were still added, they were successful in retaining the classic ambiance of this century-old mansion.

Saratha Vilas Chettinad will take you on a culinary journey throughout Tamil Nadu without needing to leave the property. Savor the richness of authentic Chettiar cuisine, made by local cooks who use family recipes handed down over generations. Relish the different textures and flavors of locally grown produce, and regional meats and seafood, all treated and colored with traditional spices and seasonings. The hotel also prepares Western meals for those who want something familiar yet comforting.

Chettinad Cuisine

Start your day with a South Indian breakfast, consisting of savory and sweet items such as pongal porridge, dosai crepes, and idly dumplings. For lunch, you'll be treated to a traditional sappadu meal, served in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options featuring a variety of dishes served together on a banana leaf. And at dinner, you'll be served three vegetarian dishes and one meat dish, complemented by rice, chapati bread, and the day's special dessert.

While Chettinad cuisine makes use of spices, the standard menu is made to be mild to ensure accessibility for all palates. Those who want a bit more heat to their meal can request more spiciness to be added.

Western Cuisine

A continental breakfast can also be prepared, comprised of classic Western fare such as French toast, jams, honey, yogurt, and fruits. As add-ons, you can also request a serving of chutney and fried dumplings. As for lunch or dinner, you can choose from an à la carte menu with options like seafood platters, various pizzas and pastas, and the special signature honey saffron roast chicken

Saratha Vilas Chettinad is proud to showcase the wonderful culture and heritage of Chettinad and its people, and will be happy to arrange a variety of immersive activities and experiences.

The hotel offers cooking classes where you can learn to create traditional vegetarian or meat dishes. Sign up for the South Indian Cuisine class and make snacks and staples like idly, kuzhi paneeyaran, and dosai. The Non-Vegetarian Cuisine class, on the other hand, teaches you the famous and wildly delicious delicacies Chettinad pepper chicken and fish kuzhambu.

The main hall of the hotel has numerous antiques and artworks on display, including a collection of lithographs by Ravi Varma. The hotel also invites local performers such as Bharatanatyam dancers to provide entertainment. As for wellness, the on-site spa specializes in Ayurvedic treatments, available in day sessions, as well as 6-day and 9-day cure programs.

Saratha Vilas Chettinad also has an on-site boutique, featuring items personally curated by the owners. Accessorize with stylish stoles made of pashm wool or kantha silk, or turn heads back home with a colorful Kandagi cotton saree. Aside from clothing, the store also has handcrafted jewelry, antique brass and copper wares, and painted artworks on sale.

While Saratha Vilas Chettinad offers plenty of immersive activities, the villages and wilderness around Chettinad are filled with opportunities for adventure and cultural enrichment.

Sign up for a half-day guided tour of Chettinad, visiting other famous Chettiar mansions built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Along the way, drop by ancient temples and shrines, some of which are over a thousand years old. The Chettiars are also skilled at a wide range of handicrafts, so feel free to drop by their workshops and perhaps purchase a souvenir or two.

Other ways to enjoy the region are by renting a bike or going on hikes, particularly at nature spots like the hills and lakes. You can even set up a picnic while admiring the sunrise or sunset on one of the hillocks, or bring some binoculars to do some wildlife spotting.