THE MYSTIC MANSION

THE Park Hotels' foray into Chettinad with THE Lotus Palace, a heritage property that is a marvel of restoration and quiet luxury.

- By Amit Dixit

I've always been curious about Chettinad's mansions. The luxurious family homes of a wealthy mercantile community came on the tourism map only a few decades ago. Now there's a new—but very old and venerable—kid on the block, by THE Park Hotels group. THE Park Hotels' pivot into the heritage hotel space began modestly with The Denmark Tavern in Serampore, but has gathered pace with two dramatic openings in quick succession. One is Ran Baas The Palace, an elegant heritage hotel nestled inside the Qila Mubarak in Patiala. The other is THE Lotus Palace Chettinad, which, with its maximalist aesthetic, is the prettiest of the trio. Being a heritage junkie, I had to check it out.