Only a French flirtation with India’s bewildering diversity could have produced the refined and elusive magic of ‘Pondicherry’ which contains the magic of the whole Orient in one name. Now, this French 18th-century coastal lifestyle in India is brought alive again in a home which is a virtual art gallery with etchings and hand written postcards all over its walls. Recreated in high-raftered ceilings with savonnerie rugs and easy chairs to lounge away the afternoons. Four poster beds – (one accessed by three stairs ! ) – to help you recreate your past with dreams. Savour a French mansion full of Indian warmth. Enjoy fine Creole eating where Tamil spices mix with subtle French under-statement to titillate the palates of gourmets.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Classic
Residential Neighbourhood
Languages Spoken
English, Hindi, Tamil
Location
17 Rue Romain Rolland Street White Town, Pondicherry 605001 India
Dune de l'Orient
650 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
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.
We chose this hotel due to being a heritage property and were not disappointed at all. The hotel is located ideally 1 min walk from the famous Promenade in the beautiful French colony White Town, with access to the some of the best restaurants and views around. The hotel is also close to main shopping areas , restaurants and much more. The property itself is set in a beautiful grounds with trees and green in the courtyard where you can sit and relax with a cup of tea, glass of wine or your daily meals. The rooms are elegantly decorated with a heritage touch and offer modern facilities. The staff is very polite, friendly and professional and take care of all your needs.
Only the restaurant in the courtyard needs to be a bit uplifted in face of this heritage property as it seems very basic. The food served is of good standard, hygienic but can lack service due to low staff levels at busy period as it took one hour for our starters and another 45mins for the main course, but this won’t deter us from visiting this hotel again. Overall we had a very good stay at this hotel due to its proximity, an ideal to get the French colony feel and polite service. Will definitely visit again.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Location
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.
It was love at first sight when one walks into a quaint courtyard replete with the customary neem tree at the center and colonial furniture setting ..A throw back to how things were .Its a heritage property and It gets better when you see your room ..another period setting with the four poster bed and the chest of drawers..clean beds..super clean bathrooms ..the Hospitality is just perfect ..Shakti will ensure that your stay is perfect and he does it with a smile. James the chef will whip up scrumptious creole food ..the fresh grape juice in the morning is outstanding . Stalin and Kamesh do all the heavy lifting so that we have it comfortable including a supply of endless cups of coffee and freshly baked muffins. The location is vantage..bang in the middle of white town and all the eateries and cafes are a walking distance away ..the promenade and the Rocky Beach are a couple of meters away too ..
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip 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.
Response from john m, Owner at Dune de l'Orient
Responded 13 Jan 2021
It was indeed our privilege to welcome you and we are delighted to learn that you did enjoy your stay with us May I take this opportunity to thank you for your kind words We do look forward to welcome you back soon Warm regards Dune Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
At first, I was worried that I will not be able to find a good hotel in Whitetown, Pondicherry as we were a family of four with 2 kids. I did a lot of research and called many hotels in Whitetown but some never returned my calls, one said they do not allow kids as guests and some didn't have their own kitchen. This all worried me till the time I found Dune de l'Orient. This place clicked all our boxes but we had not checked in yet so I was skeptical. However, all my worries went away the moment we reached there. So I will put forward my points now 1. Location is right in Whitetown with all famous cafes, Promenade beach within 5 mins walk at max. 2. The hotel you can tell has classic old architect (which we liked). 3. The room we stayed in was a Double bed Heritage suite with two beds in a very big sized room, a bath tub in washroom and a sit out available. 4. Their staff is wonderful, very attentive and helpful. 5. FnB we only had breakfast there but it was freshly prepared each time and all of us liked the taste. Almost everything was made to order and not kept on table as is in a buffet. 6. The People - Mr. Suresh, Mr. Kamesh and Reservation manager - Mr. Murugaian all very very helpful and responsive. Like I said, it clicked all our check boxes and I will recommend this place to all my family members and friends.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Always better to come in Off Season and enjoy the hospitality. Ask for a room with a sit out (to...
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.
Was deeply disappointed by the restaurant here. The hotel looks incredible when you first walk in and we were approached by a nice young fellow named Stalin (yes, it's a common name there) and he sold us on their set dinner with lobster and fresh masala fish. We immediately signed up and agreed to come back later that evening. Once we came back we should have known there was an issue immediately. The place seemed full but no one appeared to have any food on their tables. No one came to seat us (nor any of the other patrons who came after us) so we seated ourselves. It seemed there were only one or two servers there. Stalin showed up eventually and said the food was being prepared. When the food eventually arrived, after about 30 minutes, it was not what was promised us. The portions were tiny, the food quality was bad. The "masala fish" appeared to be microwaved fish covered in pepper. We informed Stalin about this and he seemed genuinely taken aback. He did offer us complimentary dessert but frankly, we were so disappointed and didn't have the patience to wait for more food and just asked for the bill. The final bill itself was shockingly high for Pondicherry. I considered arguing but, honestly, it would have not been worth my time. We paid and then went to a nearby Chettinad restaurant for a SIGNIFICANTLY better meal at half the price (called Kamatchi - I'll write a seperate review on this later).
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Date of stay: December 2019
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.
It was an all girls trip & our first time in Pondi. So needless to say we wanted nothing but the best. When googling for hotels I stumbled upon Dune & I'm so glad I did. The pictures looked inviting & the vibe somehow felt so right. We didn't waste time, we knew this is what we wanted & made a booking. We arrived three days later and were in awe.
Rustic, Vintage, Old World Charm. These words briefly describe how I felt when I set foot thru the doors at Dune De Lorient. We were welcomed with a nice cool drink and were showed to our rooms after completing all formalities. The room was not too big but well kept with that old feel. The bathroom was spotless and the linen & sheets were cleaned to perfection.
For those of you who must know, The rooms don't have a phone & even though we had some teething issues with the internet & shower, Mr. Suresh was swift with a solution. Mr. Suresh who handles the property is truly a gem of a person. When he found out we were having trouble with the internet, he was prompt to hand over his personal Jio Router to us for the entire stay. Not only did he get the shower in our room fixed within the hour but also gave us keys to the room below so we could make use of the shower downstairs if need be. I don't think Hospitality gets better than this.
For those looking to stay at Dune De Loreint keep in mind that the hotel is devoid of an elevator. You will find the old feel of stairs and corridors which can be tiresome for someone who is older. However they have rooms on the ground floor too just in case.
Coming to the staff Stalin & Kamesh, I must say that they were simply outstanding. Right from check-in till check-out they always greeted us with warm smiles. Their pleasing personalities & prompt service is what impressed us the most during our stay. The Buffet Breakfast on Day 1 & 2 was designed to our liking & we were asked for recommendations for the same the day before. Food was fresh, tasty and wholesome. We even dined with them one night and enjoyed every bit of the meal.
Overall I must say we were all so impressed by the service & hospitality. Kudos to the Dune Group for handpicking some Amazing Staff. I look forward to my next stay here. I can definitely say that if its Pondicherry, then it has to be Dune De Lorient. Keep it up. 😊👍🏼
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip 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.
We are extremely grateful to Mr. Suresh, Mr. Shakti, and the entire staff at Dune de l'Orient for their tremendous hospitality and attention throughout our stay. Our room was quiet, attractive, and very comfortable, and we especially enjoyed the sit-out, overlooking the hotel's shaded courtyard. Dune is doing an admirable job of maintaining very high standards in all aspects, despite the significant challenges created by the covid crisis. The Orient retains its charm, magically transporting guests to another era. The breakfast was wonderful, in taste, abundance, and service. And we enjoyed evening and morning strolls on Pondy's promenade, just two blocks away. Great relaxation. We look forward to our next visit.
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip 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 john m, Owner at Dune de l'Orient
Responded 13 Jan 2021
It was indeed our privilege to welcome you and we are delighted to learn that you did enjoy your stay with us May I take this opportunity to thank you for your kind words We do look forward to welcome you back soon Warm regards Dune Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Just wound up a three day stay at Dunes in Pondicherry. Three days of incessant rains could have Spoilt anyone’s holiday plans but if it wasn’t for the nice hospitality of the staff under the management of Mr Suresh. We were extremely well taken care of in the heritage property and given extra attention due to rains. Stalin and Kamaraj at the restaurant were forever ready to help. A place is as good as it’s people they ensured that. Comfortable stay, clean toilets and great food! Live in a time gone by and recharge for the times to come.
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip 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.
Its a charming colonial villa style hotel with an attentive and very helpfullstaff and we enjoyed our stay there . The inclusive breakfast options are a little limited and can be worked apon by the management . The hotel is centrally located in white town near Promenade beach and all the cafes and the major tourist attractions are nearby .
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip 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.
Really nice heritage hotel in a renovated French mansion. The staff were extremely helpful and courteous. They helped us choose a good room, and also helped with contacts of local attractions (like the boathouse in Pondicherry), and made sure we had good food, even if it was late and the other restaurants nearby were closed.
The rooms have really high ceilings and have their own charm.
Special mention to Suresh, Stalin and Kamesh who were extremely helpful.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Ask for a room with an outside seating area
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.
Delicious food in a charming heritage setting. We ordered Tamil and Indian Creole dishes that we didn't see on any other menus. All were were packed with spices and flavor. Our waiter Stalin gave us a complimentary desert of soy ice cream that was the perfect velvety finish to a lovely dinner. Highly recommended!
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Date of stay: November 2019
Value
Location
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.
You can check directly on the Neemrana website or call them up.
Alternately, any travel website will list it (Expedia, MakeMyTrip, GoIbibo, Clear trip, etc.). I booked via MakeMyTrip.
There are more places to choose from in the Pondicherry area.
PRICE RANGE
₹7,955 - ₹10,463 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
hotel de l orient, de l orient hotel
LOCATION
IndiaUnion Territory of PondicherryPondicherry
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
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 Dune de l'Orient?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Vedapureeswarar Temple, Puducherry (0.6 km), Church Of Our Lady Of Good Health (4.1 km), and Arikamedu Archaeological Site (3.3 km).
