The Lotus Palace Chettinad offers holistic heritage and wellness

Escaping the relentless hustle of city life feels like a distant dream after a grueling week of deadlines and meetings. So, when the opportunity came to trade the chaos for the quiet charm of Chettinad’s hidden trails, saying no wasn’t even an option for me.

Chettinad’s historical and cultural fabric is woven with the delicate beauty of the lotus. Whether seen floating gracefully in temple ponds, carved onto grand mansion facades, or immortalized in Chettinad’s textiles and brassware, the lotus is omnipresent. And the moment I stepped into The Lotus Palace, a meticulously restored Chettinad palace by The Park Collection in Kanadukathan, I was teleported to the grandeur of a 19th century south Indian film set. The property’s centerpiece, a breathtaking courtyard inspired by the Sahasradala Padma (a thousand-petal lotus), pays homage to Tamil Nadu’s traditional kolam patterns, a hallmark of Chettinad homes.

The newly opened Lotus Palace is a heritage marvel dating back to the late 17th century, embodying the Chettiar community’s legacy and their penchant for architectural grandeur. As you move further into the property,  you’re welcomed to an expansive open-air courtyard supported by wooden and stone-carved pillars. Flanked on either side of the courtyard — across two floors — are 15 rooms (priced upwards of ₹18,000+ tax) across seven categories. Be it the vintage artifact or a shade of lacquer, these rooms tell a story, if you listen with your heart open.

Walking through the grand Burmese teak doors, you are instantly transported to a bygone era. Expansive courtyards flanked by intricately carved wooden and stone pillars set the tone, while turquoise Athangudi tiles and antique furniture add pops of color and authenticity. Deeply rooted in history and tradition, we were served the lunch on a banana leaf. Featuring delicacies like Hilsa Bhapa, Karimeen Pollichathu, Chicken Chettinad, classic Parottas, and ghee podi rice on the side, the dining experience was nothing short of divine.

As the evening unfolded, I made my way to the first floor, where the Red Room awaited—a striking tribute to Chettinad’s deep-rooted connection with Burma. Drenched in the rich hues of Burmese lacquer, this exclusive lounge for in-house guests exudes warmth and old-world charm. Here, high tea is an indulgent affair, featuring an array of delights like Rangoon puttu, egg puffs, and crispy bajjis, served alongside a curated selection of books and board games. Just beyond, the Red Room seamlessly transitions into The Library, a charming gallery that runs along the façade, offering a quiet escape with slatted windows that provide glimpses of the bustling village outside.

Next day, I indulged in the palace’s signature restaurant, 86 Pillars, which offers an immersive Chettinad culinary journey. The traditional Thali, consisting of 15 meticulously prepared dishes, is a celebration of the region’s spice-laden flavors. Karaikudi Attu Kari Kuzhambu (mutton curry) and Kaalan Keti Kuzhambu (mushroom curry) stood out as personal favorites. The ambiance, lush with tropical green hues and stained glass panels depicting scenes from the Ramayan, transported me to a mystical world of storytelling and flavour.

From exploring the fascinating world of Chettinad’s vintage craftsmanship to stepping back in time with rare collectibles, this trip was a deep dive into history. At the Chettinad Vintage Cars and Camera Museum, curated by LM Lakshmanan, I found myself surrounded by nostalgia—801 meticulously preserved cameras, 11 stunning vintage cars, and an impressive collection of gramophones, each telling its own tale of a bygone era. Adding to the charm, miniature car models showcased the evolution of automobile design. The journey continued with a peek into Chettinad’s celebrated tile-making tradition, where artisans still craft the region’s iconic Athangudi tiles by hand, keeping this age-old art alive.