Saratha Vilas Chettinad Palace - Hotel — Hotel in Tamil Nadu

Repost of my original review:

I didn't want to sound too negative then but even after 2 months when I am reviewing the place, I still can't find anything exciting to share! The place is highly overrated for the money we paid for a day's stay... 12K with extra bed. The Room where we stayed was no doubt big but otherwise there is nothing great for the amount we paid. No proper reception, no property tour etc., "Breakfast included" will be very misleading especially if you are a pucca south Indian... because all they served us were fruits, bread, coffee, appam with coconut milk. That is no way a karaikudi breakfast! This was a huge dampener for me and my family. I understood later the place is run by French architects from Pondy who have taken the place on lease & renovated the place to maintain its original grandeur. I believe my displeasure primarily stems out of comparison with that of Chidambara Vilas & The Bangla where we stayed and had a real taste of Karaikudi hospitality and cuisine . So if you are a foodie and expecting heritage stay with a proper tour of the property you are staying at...do choose Chidambara Vilas over Saratha Vilas (or) The Bangala because a hotel / resort where we pay huge sum of money the least one will expect is good reception, great food and of course an excellent stay even if it is for a day! Except for the big room, other aspects needs attention. Hope someone is listening.

P. S: I did get a response from the owner to my above review.

My response is as follows : It is NOT only the food but the overall experience w.r.t touring the property with some noteworthy anecdotes / ancestry was somehow missing. All those points on Burmese teak, Japanese tiles etc which you had painstakingly highlighted in your response would have given us a good insight on the efforts had it been shared at the time of our stay there. BTW no breakfast options were requested / mentioned either at the time of booking or even...

Saratha Vikas is a labour of love and commitment. Soon as we landed in this quaint village of Chettinad, we knew we were in for one of the best experiences of our lives . My wife and I went to Saratha for my 40th and instantly knew we were at the right place . The owners have restored a dilapidated Chettinad mansion to its past glory. And they have done this gargantuan task aesthetically. Soon as you enter saratha Vilas , a feeling of calm and serenity engulfs you. The rooms are cosy and aptly priced , for this experience is one of its kind . If you are looking to get away from the general tourist trap and immerse yourselves in tradition and heritage , this is it. Away from the bustling crowds, the quaint Chettinad has lots to offer . Beautiful temples, colourful mansions and amazing streets to walk on . It’s like taking a walk in the past . The staff at Saratha is super friendly and helpful. The courtyard is a perfect place to sit with a morning coffee and retire with your favourite book. The large hall at the entrance is perfect for some meditation, yoga or to just gawk at the magnificent interiors. They have the most amazing Ayurvedic massages too. The food is simple yet eclectic & sumptuous at the same time . The pool is perfect for recouping after a long day at karaikudi . If you are into vintage furniture and antiques , then a visit to karaikudi is a must. Saratha is not for everybody. If you are looking to party and have a variety of restaurants in your vicinity, then please refrain from going here . For my wife and I , I would rate this place a 11 out of 10. Saratha is definitely in our top ten destinations. December and January is a fabulous time to visit Chettinad. Also, please be a responsible tourist and maintain the sanctity of...

The 'main road' address isn't really that; it's a quiet road which winds its way through a typical small Indian village. The entrance - to what was a small Palace - is massively understated: an elegant wooden door set in a white wall on the road itself. Where on earth have we booked we thought - we weren't prepared to be totally amazed on the walk to Reception. The whole Palace has a very special atmosphere, full of artefacts; lovely authentic rooms, very clean throughout (inc. pool) with delicious Indian food in the evenings. Make sure you order the (famous) Chettinad Chicken! We used some of the free Vilas bicycles to do a morning's circular cycle to the other, nearby, 1950's art deco palaces. My wife and myself have travelled extensively - avoiding the mainstream chains wherever possible - and we thought this was a place we were lucky to have had the privilege to stay. The staff - Kivan, Thaylim, Pratheep, Krishamoorthi, Veerapandi - were all so friendly and could not have been more helpful. Saratha Vilas comes very highly...