Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) announces the opening of THE Lotus Palace Chettinad in Tamil Nadu, a heritage hotel under THE Park Collection brand. Situated in the Town of Palaces – Kanadukathan, near Karaikudi, this architectural marvel, has been conserved and restored by ASPHL. Believed to have been built in the late 17th century, the hotel’s architecture is steeped in the Chettiar legacy. Chettinad, which translates to ‘Land of the Chettiars,’ is a region in South Eastern Tamil Nadu that once encompassed over 96 towns and is home to numerous Chola and Pandya temples, making it one of India’s most attractive heritage travel destinations.
The palace’s design follows a Maximalist approach—an aesthetic that retains the character of the original Chettinad homes while incorporating a variety of Indian and modern design elements. The intricate Burmese teak wood-carved large entry doors have been preserved, leading to expansive open-air courtyards with wooden and stone-carved pillars. The main courtyard of THE Lotus Palace is inspired by the Sahasradala Padma (1000 petal lotus) pattern, a homage to traditional kolam ( rangoli ) patterns, which are a staple in Chettinad and Tamil Nadu homes. The 15-room heritage palace features an eclectic mix of furniture and antique pieces. A fresh colour of turquoise green and hints of black were used for the tiles on the floor referencing to the traditional “athangudi” tiles. A fine dining Chettinad Thali restaurant 86 Pillars celebrates the rich spice-heavy flavours of Chettinad cuisine. Highlights on the menu are Kaalan Keti Kuzhambu, Karaikudi Attu Kari Kuzhambu, THE Lotus Palace Thali: a complete traditional Chettiand meal experience consisting of 15 dishes. 86 Pillars is designed to evoke a lush tropical green forest, brimming with foliage. Décor accents like the original Raja Ravi Verma influenced stained glass panels, each depicting a unique scene from the Ramayan adorn the walls. This enhances the location’s significance, as THE Lotus Palace Chettinad was a revered location for Ramayan recitals for over 100 years. In striking contrast to the vibrant hues of the THE Lotus Palace, the bar features a serene palette of soft pale grey tones and rattan furniture, accented by delicate lotus motifs on the floor and contemporary light fittings. 1795, named after the year the Palace was reputedly constructed, offers a curation of hand-crafted, inventive cocktails, a selection of light snacks and Asian-inspired bites, complemented by a live DJ. The vibrant menu pays homage to the diverse countries where the Chettiars once resided.
