Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 2225726;
www.dumasguesthouse.com
; 36 Dumas St; r ?2400; )
All whitewash and dark wood, the
antique-filled Dumas has real personality to which the odd patch of flaking paint kind of
contributes. Enjoy the carved doors, quiet gardens, slightly quirky decor and friendly mul-
tilingual staff. All rooms have three beds.
Sea Side Guest House
MAP
ASHRAM GUESTHOUSE
$$
GOOGLE MAP
( 2231700;
seaside@aurosociety.org
; 14 Goubert Ave; s ?1208-1746, d ?1396-1934, all incl breakfast; )
A
cut above your typical ashram guesthouse, Sea Side has pristine, neat, freshly decorated
rooms, and looks straight across the road to the sea. Sea-facing rooms have balconies. Ad-
vance bookings are accepted; wi-fi is ?300 per 24 hours.
Hotel De L'Orient
( 2343067;
www.neemranahotels.com
; 17 Romain Rolland St; r incl breakfast ?3760-8056; )
A grand re-
stored colonial mansion with breezy verandahs, charming rooms kitted out with antique
furniture and
objets
, and a large, pretty courtyard at its heart. A place to get that old Pondy
feel while enjoying polished service and French, Italian or creole (French-Indian) food in
the courtyard
Carte Blanche Restaurant
HERITAGE HOTEL
$$$
GOOGLE MAP
(mains ?250-400;
7.15-10.30am, noon-6pm,
MAP
7-9.30pm)
.
Maison Perumal
( 2227519;
www.cghearth.com
; 44 Perumal Koil St; r incl breakfast ?9500; )
The old Tamil Quarter
has almost as many mansions as the French Quarter but is off most tourists' radars. This
recently renovated 200-year-old building has cool, pleasant rooms above two lovely
pillared patios. The excellent Tamil/French
restaurant
(dinner ?990, lunch mains ?300-400)
cooks
everything to order from fresh ingredients. Staff are charming and wi-fi is free. From
March to Christmas rates dip by 30% or more.
HERITAGE HOTEL
$$$
Eating
Puducherry is a culinary highlight of Tamil Nadu; you get good South Indian cooking plus
several restaurants specialising in well-prepped French and Italian cuisine. If you've been
missing cheese or have a hankering for pâté, you're in luck, and
everyone
in the French
quarter offers crepes and good brewed coffee.
