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4.5
#8 of 77 guest houses in Pondicherry
Location
Rooms
Value
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Kariappa House is a lovingly restored and renovated family home, a cluster of interconnected houses, interspersed with tropical gardens and courtyards and a covered swimming pool. Two of these are restored Tamil Houses, the main house is re-created in a typical Franco-tamil style and the more contemporary 1970s addition has been modified into a bungalow which is called MANTRA. It is residential.
22A, Pillayar Koil St Near Muthalamman Temple, Vaithikuppam, Pondicherry 605003 India
Kariappa House
59 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
About a 10 minute walk away from the beginning of the promenade, through tiny roads brightened by the hand drawn colourful kolams, is Mantra. Enter through an unassuming gate and you’re in a different universe. A heritage building, surrounded by greenery, with quiet, large spaces to walk, dine and stay in, Mantra radiates serenity. Footwear is left just outside the main space and visitors are given soft-soles rubber slippers. The simple, almost ascetic vibe contrasts delightfully with the luxury of the rooms. Large, comfortable beds, fluffy towels, soft duvets and hot showers on tap, are great to come back to after a day outside. The staff are friendly and helpful and apart from providing a sumptuous breakfast, help arrange transport, carry bags and even organise physiotherapists and masseuses! All in all a wonderful stay! We were lucky to have Kakoli on the premises.. added so much more to the experience!
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kariappa House is a little piece of heaven nestled between a quaint fishing village of Pondicherry. The property is located about 15 mins walk from the White Town and Promenade beach. Despite the narrow lanes leading to the property, once you enter inside, you are greeted with a beautiful oasis of greenery and calm all around you. The property has a mixture of traditional Tamil and French architecture. We stayed there in the long stay studio for about 5 weeks (from Oct 2020 to Nov 2020) and our experience was truly memorable. Kakoli is a warm and helpful host. She checked in on us to see if we needed anything and during the course of our stay she introduced us to many interesting people. She is extremely approachable and gave us numerous tips about places to see or restaurants and cafes to visit. She also organized a pretty fun pool party at the property. We had access to all the amenities including a fairly functional kitchen and to top-it off our studio directly opened to the terrace. I loved every second spent in that property and met some of the most amazing, interesting, and helpful people. The pool is on the other side of the property and I must say it was one of the highlights for me. It is located besides the garden under a pretty thatched roof and is the best place to relax. The property is full of such cozy corners where you can chill and do nothing. The housekeeping staff 'Vanaja' and 'Ram Ji' are also responsive and attentive.
If you are looking for a property for unwinding and are craving for some quiet and calm, please visit this place. You will definitely enjoy it.
P.S.: You can also ask Vijay, the property manager for additional amenities. For example, for a nominal fee they arrange a yoga instructor for you for yoga lessons. The property has a dedicated area on the terrace for yoga. In addition to that, you can also request for massage service if you inform beforehand.
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Date of stay: October 2020
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Room Tip:Â Opt for studio G-2 for access to terrace and quieter rooms
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The way restoration work has been done and the way the house ( yes its a house don't expect a hotel) has been laid out calms you done in way that even the best of 5 star hotel can't do , which is why this is such a special experience. Its a place for seeker of calmness , solitude and extremely relaxing . Make sure you find take time out to find out the interesting history of the house , glimpse at the pics of the house before restoration , spend an afternoon sitting quietly at the courtyard listing to the chirping of the birds and take a dip late evening in the pool .
The house is a little more than Kilometer away from white town. The walk is through a fisherman's village . If you don't like the walk ask Ramji ( very sweet watchman) who will get you an auto in 10 mins . He personally negotiates with the auto driver to ensure they don't overcharge you.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Ask for the Florence room , it has small balcony that's beautiful .
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kariappa House has got the best of both worlds in terms of location, while it is really close to the hustle and bustle of the gorgeous white town, it is right next to the fisherman village that is swarming with the local culture plus it has the ocean so close by, you can hear the waves crashing on a quiet night inside the property. This sprawling lovely restored family home is a goldmine of intricate vintage interior decor. The soothing music in the dining room and homey guests chatting away in the pretty corners, living their humdrum lives in harmony with each other will soak away all your tiredness from the day. Right from the kickstart of the wholesome South Indian breakfast in the morning to the kickback of the cool swim at the aesthetic pool in the evening, everyday was a delight. The place, the people, the phenomenon in itself, worth it.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kakoli Banerjee, Owner at Kariappa House
Responded 1 Jan 2021
Thank you so much for reviewing us and specially for highlighting the positive aspects of the area we are in. It is a pleasure to have wonderful guests to share our space with.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
It was only a short stop for lunch but we wish we could have stayed for hours. The converted home and grounds are beautiful, with exquisite gardens that made for an idyllic locale although very conveniently located. The house, which serves as a boutique hotel for special guests seeking a quiet space to take a break (or write a play or book) is in the process of being restored and what a beautiful setting it is! The rooms are simple, but tranquil and the courtyard and shared spaces give the feeling that you have the entire house at your disposal. The very private pool is set under a roofed area beside the house under a roof so useable even when raining. Everything about it--the setting, the venue, the menu was 5-star.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tucked away in one of the many small streets of Pondicherry, Kariappa House is a beautiful island of quiet and calm. The place is beautifully designed and meticulously maintained, and one can spend an entire holiday here without feeling the need to step out at all. It’s perfect for regular holidays as well as those seeking a small retreat to focus on art of writing. We spent a lot of time talking to Kakoli and learning about her vision for the place and how she created this lovely place. The staff are polite and very helpful whether it is arranging for an auto or making suggestions for lunch and dinner. Specifically, Lasarras made sure that our stay was easy and he helped us out at every turn. Speaking of food, the simple and homely food prepared by chef Vanaja is delicious and wholesome. There are quite a few reading nooks and rooms around the place and it’s nice to simply walk around and explore.
I was there with my parents and entire family and I can honestly say that I have never been to a place that felt so much like home. My mother has already asked her sister to come to Pondicherry with her to stay at Kariappa House.
Needless to say, we will be coming back again. And we are waiting for our next break to call Kakoli and ask to come back to this little slice of home away from home.
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Date of stay: April 2022
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Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kariappa House is amongst the most beautiful restored homes in Pondicherry. The courtyard in an amazing place to walk around or have your evening tea (which is available 24*7 in the tea room). The rooms are spacious and clean, with traditional furniture. The best part of the property is their pool— it’s a full length lap pool surrounded by greenery— so be sure to book a slot in advance since they’re extremely careful about COVID guidelines.
The staff will go out of their way to make your stay comfortable and pleasant. Everyone will always greet you with a smile and respond to your request at the earliest. The breakfast prepared by them is simple but hearty, and you could order off a limited menu (in advance), if you’d like to eat other meals from their kitchen. Zomato also delivers to the property and there is no restriction on ordering in. The people in Kariappa House were extremely hospitable and we’re grateful to them for making our stay so memorable!
There are also several long stay guests at the property who are extremely friendly and have great stories and experiences to share!
Overall, one of the best experiences we’ve had in a while. Would recommend this place to anyone looking for a great option in Pondicherry.
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I spent a couple of weeks at Kariappa house for a workation. Even though the place came highly recommended, I had no idea that I was in for such a treat! The property is spectacular in every sense, and will fill you with peace and positivity as soon as you get here. Great location, so close to the beach and not too far away from white town. Kakoli and her staff left no stone unturned in making my stay comfortable and homey. Wifi was great and seamless, and many ideal spots on the property for a quiet peaceful work day. As a solo female traveler, I felt safe and looked after; they even arranged for a cab to pick me up at the Chennai airport. Kariappa house is really special and I can't imagine not staying here on my subsequent trips to this lovely town.
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Date of stay: November 2020
Value
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kakoli Banerjee, Owner at Kariappa House
Responded 1 Jan 2021
Thank you Harsha, We are fortunate to have wonderful guests like you and it is even better when you choose to come back and stay with us again. See you soon...
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kakoli has a beautiful and tastefully done up place. We reached after a long drive and just looking at the place took all tiredness away. The staff is very warm and hospitable and Kakoli was herself present at breakfast for any local tips that you might need. Each nook and corner has been thoughtfully done up. The breakfast and coffee were great too. It’s about a kilometre or so from white town so you are not in middle of all the tourists but yet just round the corner. We would definitely stay there again.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kariappa House seems to embody a tension-free atmosphere with its beautiful, green surroundings, homemade food, and simple homely rooms. The absence of television, proximity to nature, and lack of outside intervention contribute to the tranquil setting. Despite the slightly higher pricing, the simplicity and goodness of the staff enhance the overall experience.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Rooms are small, pl check before booking
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Pondicherry area.
PRICE RANGE
₹7,625 - ₹10,166 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
IndiaUnion Territory of PondicherryPondicherry
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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Are there any historical sites close to Kariappa House?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Vedapureeswarar Temple, Puducherry (2.3 km), Church Of Our Lady Of Good Health (3.9 km), and Arikamedu Archaeological Site (5.3 km).
