A CGH Earth experience
Visalam, a CGH Earth Experience hotel, is a 70 year old traditional home which keeps alive the ethos of Chettinad- renowned for its Palatial homes, fiery cuisine and colorful culture. Located in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, built by a father for his daughter Visalakshi, Visalam stands unbending to the vagaries of time, unveils a million stories of the land and its people- the prosperous trading community of Chettiars and their unique way of life.
About the Rooms:
Single Room Category- 9 Large bedded and 6 Twins
Visalam is a Heritage classified Hotel and has retained much of its original work from the time it was built. The bigger spaces have now been partitioned to create the 15 rooms at Visalam, all of which are more or less similar with subtle individualities. They range between 360 and 600 sq feet and have verandahs. They are spread over the ground and the first floors. The rooms have several unique features retouched but retained from the time of their construction- the Athangudi tiles which are handmade and sun dried, the pearly lustre of the wall plastering which is unique to this region, made from an exotic recipe of egg shells, lime, palm jaggery and sea shells, ground together by hand. High Burma teak wood ceilings and granite pillars around the courtyard.
Culinary Experiences:
At Visalam, each meal is served in a different venue and meals use a top note of pepper and raw mango to give full expression to the cuisine of the land.
Sapad Shala: An authentic Chettinad cuisine restaurant that serves Thali lunches from the famed kitchen of Pandianamma. A multi cuisine restaurant which serves food that uses a lot of the organic produce grown in the farm at Spice Village, as well as spices that give the place it’s name
Seats: 32 covers
Timings:
Lunch – 12.30 p.m. - 2.30 p.m.
Grill Restaurant: A specialty sea food restaurant that serves fresh catch of the day as also some Chettinad specialties. This restaurant is only open for dinner.
Seats: 32 covers
Timings:
Dinner – 7.30 p.m. -10.30 p.m.
Pool and Garden Cafe: An al fresco dining facility that overlooks our lawns and the pool, this is the venue for breakfasts and short eats
Breakfast – 7.30 a.m. -10.00 a.m.
Swimming Pool: 60 feet long, 20 feet wide, 3 - 6.8 feet deep
Experiences include:
In-house
• Kollam/rangoli making
• Garland making
• Cooking demonstrations in Pandianamma’s kitchen
• Sari/Dhoti wearing demonstrations
• Palanguli ( the traditional number game)
• Cultural performances by “Music Media” team – Pudukkottai.
Outside Visalam:
• Visiting old Chettiar mansions
• Village walk with the house guide
• Visiting Athangudi (tiles making) village
• Visiting local sari weaving house
Visiting the famous Chettiar clan temples
• Visiting local markets and the antique shops
• Visiting Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary 30km away from Visalam via Pillayar Patti (Lord Ganesha temple, clan of Chettiars)
• Cycling around Karaikudi
• Bullock cart tour around the village.
Wi-Fi available in select common areas and in all rooms
Category: Heritage