Hotel De L’Orient
Some marvellous architecture arose on the French coastline of Pondichéry. Today, one such mansion has been reopened, and restored with furniture, art and comforts unknown to the 18th century. One of the best known Heritage Hotels in Pondicherry – Hotel De L’orient captures the essence of coastal Pondicherry. The hotel wonderfully depicts the French aura and the rich cultural heritage of this sleepy little town.
The Neemrana group has once more outdone itself, showcasing their great talent for location hunting. Entering the hotel doors is literally like stepping back to a graceful era when Punkhawallas (manual fan operators) gently fanned the air and colonial Sahibs (albeit French ones) who sat in their lavish rooms remaking the lines on the map of India once more. Ofcourse, there are plenty of lithographs and maps showing the India of their times discreetly placed all over the hotel.
The hotel lives up to its claim and there is a quiet French restraint that descends upon the champa (Plumeria) trees and white washed walls of the hotel. The place is littered with antiques, old photographs and great art – giving the Neemrana partners a chance to show off their impeccable taste.
The rooms are very French, some even have open-planned bathrooms! There are some romantic touches like antique chests that are used to put your bags in and beds that are almost too beautiful to sleep in! There is a lot of wood and the colour palette is muted and understated. If you are lucky, you’ll have long windows overlooking into green courtyards or over the jumbled roof tops of Pondicherry.
Over here, you’ll want to listen to Bach, sip G and T’s and read ..oh.. Wordsworth (or maybe Dalrymple?). Forget the tiny annoyances (like the open-planned bathrooms or the windows looking into the restaurant), this is how the French did it. And let’s face it! You come to a Neemrana ‘non-hotel’ to feel smug, selfish and snobby. And that is exactly what you get!
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