An old mansion on Rue Suffren, this one is almost hidden, and you’ll need to be looking for it to actually find it. Set in the White Town (that is the French side of Pondy), it’s large, and has about 15 rooms for you to check into. The location is actually spot-on with it just being a three-minute walk from Promenade Beach.
What is particularly lovely about Villa Shanti is that they very deftly blend the past with the present. They don’t compromise one bit on the modern comforts, be it air conditioning or WiFi. But where the charm lies, is the decor. A mix of glazed, mosaic, and terrazzo tiles will welcome you, and if you pick the suites, so will cane chaise lounges. Not splurging on a suite, no worries, the deluxe rooms are just fine too. Especially if you spend time in possibly the most lovely part of the hotel — the courtyard.
Done up entirely in white, here you’ll feel the French vibes thanks to the pillars, quiet garden, and wicker furniture that belongs to the lovely in-house French (well, there’s also a lot of Indian, but hey, in Pondicherry…) restaurant. It's divided into two spaces, one open onto the patio and the vertical garden, the other air-conditioned and located in the old building. The supplies are sourced from local vendors with a focus on quality and freshness. Quite colonial, and perfect to sit around in, and have copious amounts of wine, crepe Suzette, and Prawn and Pumello salads.
Price: Starting at INR 8,500 per night