"Prices start from Rs 40,000 plus tax per night for Sun-Thu; and from Rs 50,000 plus tax per night for Fri-Sat. Rates vary seasonally and on holidays.
This home accepts credit card payments only. “Cash & Points Payment” or “Points Payment” is not applicable.
Located just 2 km from Mamallapuram and set amongst verdant paddy fields and lotus-filled ponds in the countryside, The Palmyrah is a grand and luxurious four-bedroom pool villa inspired by the mansions of Chettinad & Kerala. Perfect for families and groups of couples who want complete privacy, yet desire quick access to the beaches of the Bay of Bengal and the Mamallapuram UNESCO World Heritage sights. The villa also makes for an ideal venue for small, intimate weddings, pre-wedding functions, photo shoots and corporate or family celebrations.
LOCATION, DESIGN & EXTERIORS
The Palmyrah is situated in the scenic countryside about 15 minutes west of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mamallapuram, just off the East Coast Road that connects Chennai with Pondicherry. The villa is approximately 90 minutes from Chennai and its Airport. As you drive along the winding country road, you pass along stretches of verdant paddy of varying hues until you see the bright terracotta tiled roof of Palmyrah welcoming you.
The villa is a contemporary expression of the glorious architectural heritage of Kerala and Chettinad. On its exteriors, neo-classical columns, white walls and balustrades prop up the classical double layered Kerala-style tiled roofs. As you climb the steps up and walk across the threshold, all the classical elements of a true Chettinad mansion greet you with the central courtyard and all the common and private spaces arranged around it.
The rear side verandah, pool and lawns pay homage to the rising sun. And the upper terrace and lawns on the front delight with beautiful views and riveting sunsets.
LIVING & SLEEPING SPACES
The main entrance to Palmyrah leads to a formal living room with seating. Beyond this lies the central rectangular shaped open-to-sky courtyard.
As you move in a clockwise direction around the courtyard, you pass two bedrooms and a powder room. At the rear side of the courtyard is the dining room and western kitchen - a classical Chettinad way of laying out spaces. Three sets of French doors lead to the rear verandah and lawns and the swimming pool.
As you move in an anti-clockwise direction, you pass a third bedroom, a chess nook, and stairs that lead to the first floor. Beyond, is the informal living room with a rattan swing and colourful sofas - perfect for lounging. After dark, wooden blinds come down to create temporary walls and the space transforms into an air-conditioned TV room where you can enjoy a cinematic experience with the 4K projector and giant screen.
Upstairs lies the master bedroom and a mezzanine over the formal living space, A wide covered deck and terrace look out to paddy fields and palms.
Three of the four bedrooms at the Palmyrah are located on the ground floor and lead off from the central courtyard.The enormous Yellow and Red Bedrooms with their colour themed Athangudi tiles are air-conditioned and have king beds, beautiful linen, and luxurious contemporary bathrooms. The smaller Blue Bedroom is ideal for a teenagers or a senior traveller.
The first floor Master Bedroom with wooden floors has a romantic four-poster king bed and its own large screen LED TV with OTT programming. Wide French doors open out onto a west-facing balcony that is also accessible from the mezzanine and is a shared space. The bedroom is framed on two sides by the glass-paned green surroundings. With its high-vaulted ceiling and Mangalore-tiles, this is truly a lovely and special place to sleep in and to wake up to.
WHO WILL ENJOY THIS VILLA
The Palmyrah is designed for bonding. This is the core philosophy of its layout - a place to come together to reconnect and to celebrate. And there is also plenty to do together - bicycle rides in the countryside, a fun day on a quiet beach, and even croquet on the villa lawns.
INCLUDED IN THE VILLA
- Daily breakfast comprising eggs to order and South Indian
- Air-Conditioning 04 bedrooms, 01 Dining Room, 01 Entertainment Room
- Electricity and fully automatic back-up Diesel Genset
- Cooking Gas, Water
- Internet complimentary Wi-Fi broadband access throughout the house
- Ott Entertainment with 4K Projection Screen in Family Area & Large Screen Tv in Master Bedroom, both include Amazon Firesticks (login with your own account credentials)
- Daily Housekeeping 0900-1700 hrs daily room cleaning, bathroom cleaning, bed making, light house cleaning
- Final Cleaning, Linen Change weekly bed & bath linen changing
- Basic Supplies are available free such as RO drinking water, toilet paper
- Kitchen full access to it for self-use
- Starter Supplies such as liquid soap, shampoo, and shower gel, sugar, salt, basic Indian spices, tea, coffee, cooking oil, washing machine detergent, kitchen cleaning consumables
- Complimentary tea, coffee service throughout the day. Snacks on actuals (no cooking fee.)
- Swimming Pool with pool towels
- Bicycles 4 non-geared bicycles with helmets and water bottles
- Games lawn croquet, chess, badminton racquets, basic cricket set
- Security & Garden daytime gardener
AVAILABLE EXTRA SERVICES AT THE VILLA
- Lunch Or Dinner, Meals on actuals cooking charges per meal apply (24 hours advance notice)
- Assisted Laundry Charged per day (washing & folding only)
- Advance Provisioning Service at an extra fee
- Daily Grocery Provisioning Service at an additional fee
- Curated Experiences Expert guided visits to Mamallapuram and surroundings, picnics on quiet beaches, snake-hunting and night safaris with the Madras Crocodile Bank, surfing lessons & ATV beach rides, cycling trails, organic farm to fork visits
- Gratuities (Tips) recommended by us
HOME TRUTHS
- Villa staff are available only during the day from breakfast until end of dinner. The caretaker and a housekeeper stay at the villa farm opposite.
- Lunch and dinner is not included in the rental. Cooking services offered - coastal Tamil cuisine only.
- Power supply is erratic and of poor quality. Should your ACs not work properly due to low voltage, please let your Concierge know and the diesel genset will be switched on.
- Sleeping spaces are air-conditioned. Temperatures range from 25 deg C (min) - 31 deg C (max) during Nov to mid-Mar and from 29-33 deg C (min) to 35-43 deg C (max) during mid-Mar to June. From July to Sept, expect more moderate weather. October is the traditional wet month, but patterns change.
- Laundry services available on-site for washing and drying only. Ironing will be on self-service
- Staff accommodation for an accompanying cook or a driver is available at the villa. Outside lodgings available 5-minutes drive away.
- Watch out for birds, amphibians and insects inside the villa. As the main courtyard is open to the sky, it attracts critters. A lot of dust and debris does tend to blow into the passageways and spaces around the courtyard.
- In the neighbouring hamlet of Kadambadi, on special occasions, the popular temple broadcasts early morning prayers for all to hear.
CURATING YOUR EXPERIENCE
- The villa offers fun visit to the villa farm with dogs, geese & cows, and a fun plunge pool. There are gentle countryside walks to cycling trails, curated visits to the world-famous Mamallapuram cave temples, sculpture tours, surfing lessons and ATV beach rides. Epicureans will like the great dining options - from farm-to-fork restaurants, and beach shacks to luxury resort dining. If all of this is too much, just lean back and enjoy your favourite drink by the poolside!
- Mamallapuram & Thirukuzhkundram (nearest towns, local cuisine, UNESCO sites, rock temples, shopping, surfing, chilling by the beach), 15-20 mins
- Pondicherry (need we say more!) 90 mins
- Kanchipuram (silks and more temples) 90 mins
- Closest Airport: Chennai 90 mins"