We stayed at Chettinadu Mansion, Kānādukāttān, in mid-March 2025. A beautiful place and an exceptional experience to be able to stay in this lovingly restored building seeped in history. The staff here were kind and helpful in many ways, such as helping us arrange our onward transport. Guests remove their shoes before entering the building. We stayed in the Vandal Room, a Deluxe Heritage Twin Room. It was a large room with two single beds pushed together, bedside tables and lights, and a desk and chair. There was a large rack for opening up our two packs. The bathroom was up a few stairs from the bedroom. Nice toiletries and a good shower. There was a door from the bathroom out to an area overlooking Kānādukāttān, with a very nice view of a few of the mansions. Dinners were lovely: Place your order before 5pm, and have a very good South India dinner (and a cold beer) by candlelight in the courtyard, under the stars. The veg and the non-veg Thali were excellent; compliments to the chef. From the gracious welcome drink to the warm farewell, we will always remember Chettinadu Mansion and its staff fondly.

The beds were a bit short, and the mattresses were a bit thin. It would have been great to have had a detailed map of the area around the mansion, including shops and mansions, and even some interesting details about the various mansions. A tip for fellow travelers: Take small bills with you to this town (20s, 50s, 100s), as it’s nearly impossible to find anyone with change.

Chettinad Mansion in Karaikudi is an extraordinary blend of heritage and modern comfort. Staying at this converted heritage house is an experience in itself, but what truly sets it apart is the commendable hospitality. I arrived at the property at an early hour, 5:30 AM, after traveling solo. Although my timing was far from the usual check-in hours and the hotel was fully booked, the manager went above and beyond to ensure I was taken care of. Recognizing my situation, they arranged for me to freshen up in a room at one of their other properties—a gesture that speaks volumes about their dedication to guest comfort. The historical charm of the mansion, paired with thoughtful and personalized service, made my stay truly memorable. Chettinad Mansion is not just a place to stay; it’s an experience filled with warmth and impeccable hospitality. Highly recommended for anyone looking to immerse themselves in heritage and be pampered with excellent care!

There is nothing I didnt like.

I loved everything about the place. Its probably the only affordable heritage place in kanadukathan. The property is well maintained. I was given a traditional welcome. The e room was amazing. Bathroom was big and clean with 24hrs hot water facility(in a hot place like chettinadu you hardly want to use hot water). They arrange a candle light dinner which was a memorable experience at quite affordable price. (pre ordered dinner) There ample parking space. You can either walk or even take an auto. I prefered auto because it was extremely hot even around 5pm.

Such a quaint, beautiful village. Amazingly quiet. Clean, well maintained property. Excellent food, very courteous and responsive staff. We had a lovely holiday. The property is ideally located for access to a lot of tourist places/temples. Visit to Mahalakshmi handloom store in the same village is a must.

Dinner menu can have more choices. Room needs a cupboard to store clothes. Our room had none. So we had to keep clothes in our suitcase, which is cumbersome.

Its a very nice mansion with old world charm. The interior of hotel and rooms was great. It is in a small village so it has very quite true village atmosphere. They provide free bikes which we took to ride around the village. The food and dinner was excellent. We reached late but chef and staff waited until we reached and served us the full meal. Not rush.

There were mosquitos in courtyard and in central open area. So if you sat there, you had to deal with mosquito bites.

It was a privilege to stay at the Mansion. Not glossy but full of original features: tiles, wooden carvings, marble columns, trompe l'oeil. Comfortable and relaxing. The menu was limited to Chettinadu cuisine but the food was excellent and cooked to order. Service was superb and all the staff were friendly and helpful. Specifically I needed to go to a hospital and the manager facilitated my visit. Also, on leaving, I left my shoes and they were couriered to my next hotel overnight. We were very sorry to leave.

I would have liked more hanging space. The swimming pool area could be more inviting but hopefully this will be the case when the spa re-opens, scheduled for 2025 (closed due to covid).

Gives you an opportunity to stay in an authentic heritage house unlike other newly constructed ones. The staff go out of their way to explain items present in their museum. The fact they were able to have and maintain a swimming pool in the village even if it is a bit of a 5 mins walk is amazing. Washrooms were comfortable and specifically constructed for this though the steps could be avoided to support elderly guests.

Food - they didn't give an option for full meals vs simple meals and assumed simple meals on our arrival which was a let down. The taste and quality of the breakfast buffet should be improved. Extra bed - the quality of the cot was poor and highly uncomfortable, felt like sinking in as soon as we sat on it.

If you are looking for an authentic heritage stay in the beautiful village of Kanadukathan this is a good choice. It is a fascinating chance to stay in a Chettinad palace with beautiful tiles, pillars and other decoration. There is plenty of information about the area. The rooms are clean and comfortable with good beds and shower and nice toiletries. . Some have a sit out area at the back and all share a communal verandah. Food is good but you need to order some time in advance. Staff are friendly and helpful. Drinking water in glass bottles is provided which is good. It's just a short walk to several homes that are open to the public for a small fee of 50 rupees.

Some people might not like the no shoes policy

What a wonderful experience. The heritage side of it is awesome and I loved that it’s not super posh but very real and in such a beautiful building. I’m glad u chose this rather than any of the posher ones. But best of all absolutely amazing food - home cooked chettiand cuisine was just delicious and so tasty. And lovely, lovely kind and attentive staff. Please stay here it’s a great thing to do

Nothing at all

The mansion is very atmospheric, very authentic. I loved how dinner was served in the courtyard, definitely great for couples. The staff was wonderful and so was the food.

My room was connected to the next room with a There was a connection door to the next room with a wooden door and noise travels. Not a dealbreaker but maybe not the best choice if you are looking for privacy in the room. Otherwise, a great stay.