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Photos: S. James

Mixture of architectural styles ‘Heritance Madurai’ , the resort at Kochadai

As part of the erstwhile Madura Coats Club, they are a sterling example of how attractive British colonial architecture can be.

Originally the work of legendary Sri Lankan architect Geoffery Bawa (1919-2003), the Club buildings have not lost their British flavour. In addition, they now bear Chettinad features.

Interestingly, another Sri Lankan architect, Vinod Jayasinghe, is the man behind this mixture of styles, which has resulted in a look that lies somewhere between ‘the distinct’ and ‘the all too familiar’.

As facilities associated with a resort are found within these heritage-laden structures, ‘Heritance Madurai’ (as the resort is called) is a seamless blend of old-world charm and modern comforts.

Outcome of a partnership between ETL Hospitality Services and Aitkenspence Hotel (Sri Lanka), Heritance Madurai is promoted as an ‘urban resort’. Just like houses in villages, the villas have a tulsi plant what could pass off as a ‘backyard’. Jacuzzis and wading pools have steps like those of a temple tank.

In the ‘villa suites’ and ‘suite rooms’, long, double-sided all-wood windows (an Indian tradition) in the bedroom open onto the living room. In keeping with old-world architectural practices, the rooms are spacious. One-thousand-two-hundred sq.ft. rooms seem standard. Some are as big as 1,400 sq.ft.

Out of the 35 villas, 30 have wading pools. Each of the seven Club bungalows has been converted into five villas. Two suites, eight club rooms and 36 deluxe rooms are the other places to stay in. Add two restaurants, two bars and facilities for other services, you have 1,00,000 sq.ft of built up area.

The 5,000 sq.ft. reception and a huge pool, which is designed like a temple tank, form the central area, expected to be the venue for Indian cultural programmes.

Madurai Heritance is expected to be open to the public by July 2008.

The tariff structure has not been finalised. Heritance authorities hint at a two-tiered fee structure. During the peak season, a villa with a plunge pool comes at a daily rental of over Rs. 10,500. A room falls in the Rs. 5,750 to Rs. 6,250 price range. During the off-season, a 30 to 40 per cent discount could be offered.

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