Easy-going drive, Chennai/Chidambaram?

Nick-H · Jun 17th, 2007, 01:06

I had tagged this on the end of another thread, but I think it will be lost there (but thanks to Yogagirl for the PMed responses)...

Have decided to go to Chidambaram area for a long weekend probably --- birthday outing next month.

I want to go somewhere we can drive from chennai in easy stages so I figure that we can do Pondy one day and then to Chidambaram the next.

We are interested in seeing the mangroves at Pichavaram. I gather that there is a Government hotel/cottages there, but it is pretty basic. Anybody know it? Anybody recommend anywhere else to stay?

Or should we stay in Chidambaram?

I'm not too fussed about budget, maybe 2,000 or so a night would be ok.

So... places to stay in Pondy (or alternative), Pichavaram/Chidambaram, folks, please?

cool blue · Jun 17th, 2007, 02:29

what a coincidence - I was in chidambaram three days ago. I dont know about accommodation, but i stayed in Cuddalore for 600 Rs per night and the hotel was extremely comfortable (Yogi Ram, Cuddalore).

hfot2 · Jun 17th, 2007, 03:27

Nick,

I don't know how much you want to spend or what your tastes are, but we liked Patricia Guest House in Pondy where we stayed last year.

http://www.indiamike.com/reviews/sho...ct/419/cat/all.

Actually there are 3 Patricia Houses, though our old Lonely Planet only mentioned two. The other 2 were booked, so we stayed in the least known, #3, which actually is Patricia's family home and has three rooms to let. Loads of kitschy stuff decorated her living room/dining room where we were served breakfast.

We left here at 8:40 and arrived at Chidambaram at about 10:25. Our absolutely wonderful driver [with whom we spent a month] had wanted to leave at 8 AM, but I was yakking with Patricia. After the fact we realized that he wanted to leave early to beat the traffic rush.

If you want more info on Patricia, just ask-
distaff half of hfot2

[How nifty it is to be able to offer a reply to a Nick question!]

cool blue · Jun 17th, 2007, 03:52

Another coincidence - we stayed at patricia 2 in January. Very nice, though my husband was not impressed by the continental breakfast!! I think the rate was around 2,200 per night, but ver pleasant heritage house. Slighty longer travel time to Chidambaram from Pondy of course........

hfot2 · Jun 17th, 2007, 04:10

Where was your number 2?
There are some variations over the location of the three in different sources.

Was your Patricia 2 the one with the Garden in front behind the white gated wall - or was it the big 300 year old house on another corner, which is her family home, or the third one about which I know nothing?

distaff half hfot2

cool blue · Jun 17th, 2007, 04:24

It was in Rue Dupuy - northern part of POndy, but near the sea front. It doesnt sound like the one you describe - I think it was no 28 dupuy. It sounds a little like the second one you describe. We were on the way to Pondy, phoned and Patricia 1 was full so she offered us a room at Patricia 2.......

Nick-H · Jun 17th, 2007, 05:16

8.40 to 10.25 pm? Hfot2?

I can't understand that Chidambaram could be done in 2 hours, but 14 seems too much. 2 hours to Pondy?

Knowing my propensity for early starts we will probably get away by about 11.30 am. Or 1.00pm. Or something... But we are to the South of the city and can be in Mamaliuram in only 40 minutes or so. Even if we left in the rush we'd be travelling out as everybody was travelling in.

So far, and having looked at the review section, Patricia's place sounds nice. Do they serve french food at all? a change of diet would be good!

Of other recommendations received, Hotel Mass looks interesting, but much more business-type place.

Might even spend two nights in Pondy, and wander in the botanical gardens for a day (if it is raining!)

Then again, there's a night on the way back as well.

Pity I didn't know you'd just been there when we met yesterday, CB!

Anyone got any more suggestions for Chidambaram or the mangoves?

Sama · Jun 17th, 2007, 05:19

I did not stay here but ate at a restaurant right outside its door and it looked like a place I'd love to stay....Hotel de Pondicherry

Trip Advisor review

SitaParityaga · Jun 17th, 2007, 05:32

I spent two nights at The Ritz in Chidabaram, (about 1700 rps a night for the best room) and glanced over the other accomodations in town.

If I were to do over, I would make Chidabaram a late in the day visit and spend the night elsewhere. The temple is delightful and there is a not-to-be missed puja at 9:30 every evening.

Sama · Jun 17th, 2007, 05:48

hey, Nick! you mean you're not going to take a bus to Pondy like I do? My student who will be with me in December is really looking forward to his bus ride to Pondy...seriously. and he's older than you!

Nick-H · Jun 17th, 2007, 05:51

Hotel de Pondicherry --- looks nice from what I can see on the web.

Quote:

There are many things to enjoy at Velan Hotel Ritz in Chidambaram. It has a fantastic shopping arcade where you can splurge on shopping for unrestrained hours of the day.

Obviously my kind of place!

Quote:

Originally Posted by YogaGal

hey, Nick! you mean you're not going to take a bus to Pondy like I do?

Good Grief no... I'll be driving!

SitaParityaga · Jun 17th, 2007, 06:05

Oh, if you'll be driving......here is a picture of The Ritz.

Nick-H · Jun 17th, 2007, 06:15

AC Suits?

SitaParityaga · Jun 17th, 2007, 06:27

A/C suits would come in handy about now, wouldn't you think?

hfot2 · Jun 17th, 2007, 10:54

8:40 to 10:25 AM is right. I'll tell you more tomorrow.

Jun 17th, 2007, 01:06	#1
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Easy-going drive, Chennai/Chidambaram? I had tagged this on the end of another thread, but I think it will be lost there (but thanks to Yogagirl for the PMed responses)... Have decided to go to Chidambaram area for a long weekend probably --- birthday outing next month. I want to go somewhere we can drive from chennai in easy stages so I figure that we can do Pondy one day and then to Chidambaram the next. We are interested in seeing the mangroves at Pichavaram. I gather that there is a Government hotel/cottages there, but it is pretty basic. Anybody know it? Anybody recommend anywhere else to stay? Or should we stay in Chidambaram? I'm not too fussed about budget, maybe 2,000 or so a night would be ok. So... places to stay in Pondy (or alternative), Pichavaram/Chidambaram, folks, please? __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jun 17th, 2007, 05:19	#8
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,434	I did not stay here but ate at a restaurant right outside its door and it looked like a place I'd love to stay....Hotel de Pondicherry Trip Advisor review __________________ *My India, 2005-2008* BE THE REVOLUTION

Jun 17th, 2007, 06:05	#12
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 908	Oh, if you'll be driving......here is a picture of The Ritz. Attached Thumbnails

Jun 17th, 2007, 10:54	#15
hfot2 MemberS Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vermont Posts: 515	8:40 to 10:25 AM is right. I'll tell you more tomorrow. Last edited by hfot2 : Jun 17th, 2007 at 11:06. Reason: info on breakfast added

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Jun 17th, 2007, 02:29	#2
cool blue Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: India Posts: 137	what a coincidence - I was in chidambaram three days ago. I dont know about accommodation, but i stayed in Cuddalore for 600 Rs per night and the hotel was extremely comfortable (Yogi Ram, Cuddalore).

Jun 17th, 2007, 03:27	#3
hfot2 MemberS Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vermont Posts: 515	Nick, I don't know how much you want to spend or what your tastes are, but we liked Patricia Guest House in Pondy where we stayed last year. http://www.indiamike.com/reviews/sho...ct/419/cat/all. Actually there are 3 Patricia Houses, though our old Lonely Planet only mentioned two. The other 2 were booked, so we stayed in the least known, #3, which actually is Patricia's family home and has three rooms to let. Loads of kitschy stuff decorated her living room/dining room where we were served breakfast. We left here at 8:40 and arrived at Chidambaram at about 10:25. Our absolutely wonderful driver [with whom we spent a month] had wanted to leave at 8 AM, but I was yakking with Patricia. After the fact we realized that he wanted to leave early to beat the traffic rush. If you want more info on Patricia, just ask- distaff half of hfot2 [How nifty it is to be able to offer a reply to a Nick question!]

Jun 17th, 2007, 03:52	#4
cool blue Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: India Posts: 137	Another coincidence - we stayed at patricia 2 in January. Very nice, though my husband was not impressed by the continental breakfast!! I think the rate was around 2,200 per night, but ver pleasant heritage house. Slighty longer travel time to Chidambaram from Pondy of course........

Jun 17th, 2007, 04:10	#5
hfot2 MemberS Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vermont Posts: 515	Where was your number 2? There are some variations over the location of the three in different sources. Was your Patricia 2 the one with the Garden in front behind the white gated wall - or was it the big 300 year old house on another corner, which is her family home, or the third one about which I know nothing? distaff half hfot2

Jun 17th, 2007, 04:24	#6
cool blue Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: India Posts: 137	It was in Rue Dupuy - northern part of POndy, but near the sea front. It doesnt sound like the one you describe - I think it was no 28 dupuy. It sounds a little like the second one you describe. We were on the way to Pondy, phoned and Patricia 1 was full so she offered us a room at Patricia 2.......

Jun 17th, 2007, 05:16	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	8.40 to 10.25 pm? Hfot2? I can't understand that Chidambaram could be done in 2 hours, but 14 seems too much. 2 hours to Pondy? Knowing my propensity for early starts we will probably get away by about 11.30 am. Or 1.00pm. Or something... But we are to the South of the city and can be in Mamaliuram in only 40 minutes or so. Even if we left in the rush we'd be travelling out as everybody was travelling in. So far, and having looked at the review section, Patricia's place sounds nice. Do they serve french food at all? a change of diet would be good! Of other recommendations received, Hotel Mass looks interesting, but much more business-type place. Might even spend two nights in Pondy, and wander in the botanical gardens for a day (if it is raining!) Then again, there's a night on the way back as well. Pity I didn't know you'd just been there when we met yesterday, CB! Anyone got any more suggestions for Chidambaram or the mangoves?

Jun 17th, 2007, 05:32	#9
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 908	I spent two nights at The Ritz in Chidabaram, (about 1700 rps a night for the best room) and glanced over the other accomodations in town. If I were to do over, I would make Chidabaram a late in the day visit and spend the night elsewhere. The temple is delightful and there is a not-to-be missed puja at 9:30 every evening.

Jun 17th, 2007, 05:48	#10
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,434	hey, Nick! you mean you're not going to take a bus to Pondy like I do? My student who will be with me in December is really looking forward to his bus ride to Pondy...seriously. and he's older than you!

Jun 17th, 2007, 06:15	#13
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	AC Suits?

Jun 17th, 2007, 06:27	#14
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 908	A/C suits would come in handy about now, wouldn't you think?

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