MAISON PERUMAL PONDICHERRY - A CGH EARTH EXPERIENCE, Pondicherry

Maison Perumal Pondicherry - A Cgh Earth Experience - A restored 130-year-old Chettiar mansion with Franco-Tamil heritage and regional cuisine

Maison Perumal Pondicherry - A Cgh Earth Experience is a 4-star hotel housed in a 130-year-old Chettiar mansion, blending Franco-Tamil colonial architecture with teak furniture, Cuduppah stone floors, and stained-glass balconies. The 10 rooms feature traditional Dindigul locks, cable TV, and private bathrooms, set around two teak-columned courtyards with goldfish ponds and lush greenery. Regional flavors dominate the cuisine, where even pasta incorporates local ingredients like prawns, fish, and spices. Located in Pondicherry's Tamil Quarter, the hotel is a 10- to 20-minute walk from landmarks like Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple and the bustling bazaar. Cooking demonstrations with the chef include market visits to source fresh produce. Cgh Earth emphasizes locally grown ingredients, from yams to drumsticks, in its dishes.

Pros

The restored 19th-century mansion features unique Franco-Tamil architecture, including stained-glass balconies and teak courtyards.

Cooking demos and market tours with the chef highlight South Indian culinary traditions.

Centrally located in the Tamil Quarter, within walking distance of temples, cafes, and the Promenade Beach.

The intimate 10-room property offers personalized service, with staff noted for their helpfulness.

Cons

No on-site spa or fitness facilities.

The Tamil Quarter's lively streets may be noisy for light sleepers.