Visalam : A Chettinad Classic

July 16, 2024

Visalam was built as a home over a century ago and driving onto the property and under the portico definitely had the feeling of arriving at a grand home.

All the staff were waiting at the top of the steps to greet us with a warm welcome.

As soon as we entered the lobby, the little touches that make Visalam special started. Check in was simple and smooth then the key to my room was presented with a flourish in a box.

I walked through the central courtyard to my room on the second floor which was one of the Chettinad Suites.

The rooms are large with high ceilings and furnishing that are warm and inviting. There are so many touches that highlight local industries and crafts.The floors have the famous local tiles that grace most of the Chettinad mansions.

They are handmade by a process perfected over many generations in the small scale factories of Aathangudy, about 10km from Visalam.

The walls and pillars use a plastering method that is unique to this region and consists of eggshells, lime, palm jaggery and seashells. The final polishing is done with the white of eggs and the end result is a smooth and glossy finish.
The bed runners and cushions are sourced from the handloom weavers of Chettinad that still make cotton fabrics the traditional way. The compliment the Burmese teak of the furniture.

On the first afternoon I attended one of the daily experiences offered which was a cooking demonstration. We were shown how to cook a local mushroom dish which was then put aside and included in our dinner later in the evening. I don’t usually eat my own cooking but in this case I relented.After the cooking demonstration, daily high tea is served at the Garden Café behind the main building.

It was great to relax in the peaceful grounds with nothing but the sound of birds in the trees, drinking cups of chai with Chettinad snacks. After returning to Visalam and freshening up, it was time for dinner at the Pool Café. Dinner was all local specialties and included an entrée, main thali (a set meal with all the dishes on your plate) and then a dessert of payasam which is ubiquitous in Southern India.

The food was amazing and it’s always a delight to discover how one dish can have so many regional variations.

The next morning there is a bike ride available that can be completed before breakfast and a great way to see local residents attending nearby temples to make offerings.

After breakfast I did some more exploring of the local area and visited one of the Aathangudy tile workshops to see them being handmade.

Then returning to the hotel for my final meal before departing. This time it was lunch and didn’t disappoint.

Unfortunately, I only spent one night at Visalam, but could have easily filled more days with the many great activities on offer. We often receive feedback from our travellers that they wish they had more time here! Visalam and Chettinad has so much to offer and I would recommend a minimum of two nights but potentially longer, depending on your overall itinerary. Overall the food, hospitality and warmth of the property made this a homely experience that I can’t wait to return to and experience again.

Visalam is included in our Ramble around the Ghats tour running in February 2025.