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TIMEOUT

Hilltop luxury

Photo: K. Ganesan

OLD WORLD CHARM A view of the hotel at Pasumalai

USP: A boutique hotel 550 feet above sea level.

It’s the highest point in the bustling Temple City. Sitting pretty atop a hillock called Pasumalai draped in 65-odd acres of landscaped grounds and with a 1890s colonial building to boot, there is no better spot to unwind than the Taj Garden Re treat in this holy town by the river Vaigai.

The enviable location offers an enthralling view of the city, the famous Meenakshi Temple and the rolling Kodai Hills, while the altitude envelops you in silence and peace. A charming mix of the old and the new, heritage and modernity, this leisure hotel from the Taj group is claimed to be the oldest luxury hotel in South India.

The former residence of the Chief Executive Officer of the A&F Harvey Group of Companies in the U.K., Sir William Harvey, the property was bought by the Taj Group in 1989. What started with 16 rooms in October 1990 has today grown to 63 rooms, each impeccably decorated. The combination of heritage themes with contemporary furniture redefines luxury here.

The main colonial style building is decorated with hunting trophies and has a well stocked olden-day stylish bar. The lavish accommodation in a quiet pollution-free green setting is spread over five different blocks. The spacious Deluxe rooms on the first floor of the original building offer a fantastic view from wide bay windows and shared balconies. Step out to the balcony to unfailingly feast on a panoramic view of the Temple gopurams, the Kodai hills, the clouds, hanging over the mountains ready to burst open. Don’t be surprised or feel shy if the poet, painter, writer in you gets aroused.

The newly constructed Superior rooms are no less comfortable, offering either pool or garden views. The old world rooms are infused with a sense of history with their large wooden floors. Spacious and comfortable, they are all over a Century old, and with their encircling colonial verandahs, exude an old world charm. The Standard rooms too are outfitted in elegant colonial style décor with all modern day guest amenities.

Every room is ethnically designed and conceptualized. The décor speaks of class and luxury and at the same time colonial elements are reflected in every nook and corner of the rooms. They are old fashioned and yet nice taking into account the first class comfort level of guests by providing international direct dial facility, channel music and colour television with satellite programmes, A/C, minibar, hair dryer, tea- and coffee-making facilities.

All the guest rooms about 550 feet above the sea are comfortable and nicely equipped to give a feeling of being home while away from home. The hotel also has a variety of facilities and services that are sure to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers.

Wows General Manager Ravi Khandige : “Staying here is like living through a timeless masterpiece. Ours is a systematic journey to lay the track of environment–friendly work culture for posterity. There is a lot of scope for planting trees here and we also follow a good system of waste disposal. It is a challenge to ensure that this wonderful heritage, a Century old oasis, is nurtured for today and tomorrow alike.”

The hotel restaurant offers both English and Indian style breakfast-buffets and 5 o’clock drinks in the open air. It serves every type of cuisine from South Indian to Italian. The drinks and cocktails that are served here are the best of the best sorted out from thousands of varieties.

A part of the green tranquil gardens also serves elegantly as a separate “On Board” open air restaurant for barbecues.

The picturesque view from this stunning hilltop location doesn’t take long to drift a visitor away from the hustle bustle of the busy township down below. Yet, you can hear the holy songs, drums and chants day and night from afar. Nowhere is the seamless blend of a 118 year old colonial architecture and modern techniques and renovations jarring.

The sprawling landscape raises the expectations of every visitor of a “class apart standard” maintained by a glorious Retreat. If you have the time, money and interest, simply get yourself pampered by an endearingly warm hospitality and utmost luxury. For, many agree that the Taj Garden Retreat is by far one of the best options and a perfect place in this holy city to destress and relax in serenity. How to reach : Located 5km west of Madurai in Pasumalai. Distance from Chennai 461 kms, Kodaikanal 112 kms, Bangalore 432 kms, Thekkady 142 kms, Thiruvananthapuram 300 kms, Munnar 150 kms, Coimbatore 227 kms, Trichy 142 kms, Thanjavur 158 kms and Theni 80 kms

Accommodation :

Prices $120 Standard double, $140 Superior Double, $155 Deluxe Double. Plus Taxes and $20 for extra bed. In Indian currency, the range is from rs.5,000 to Rs.10,000 for Standard Single to Deluxe Double and Rs.1000 per extra bed. Contact Nos. 0452-2371601-10. Or write to retreat.madurai@tajhotels.com

What to do : Experience ‘Chettinad Night’ that recaptures the courtyard ambience of the past, or choose from a variety of themes including Madurai Jasmine. Relax by the poolside in the health spa, ayurvedic centre, gym. Work out on the badminton or the lawn tennis court, try your hand at table tennis. Go for jogging, rock climbing, nature walk and watch and feed peacocks.

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