和平別墅飯店(Villa Shanti - Heritage Hotel for Foodies)

Hôtel de charme magnifique, dans la partie historique de la ville. Très bien restaurée, Personnel aux petits soins, souriant, et toujours à votre service Chambre spacieuse et joliment décorée, dans un style moderne et colonial, très propre . Le restaurant de l hôtel est à recommander car les plats sont savoureux, mêlant cuisine indienne et européenne. Très bonne cuisine. Petit déjeuner complet et très varié Je recommande sans réserve

We booked for our tour of southern India 9 months before. We wanted a quaint frenchy place to stay. A group of 4 couples. We were given 4 different rooms, one couple a nice large room with a very high bed, another couple a medium size simple room, thevthird couple was ushered into a steaming hot room with a broken AC. The hotel changed them into another relatively small room, which was OK. We were given a poky small room on top floor, with a leaking AC. A small bed ( double, not even queen) and the TV placed on the left wall so much that it cannot be seen from the bed. I might add that in this tiny double room there is only one chair in front of the TV! Really? And I repeat we booked 9 months ago and they could not accommodate us in a better room. Three high floors to climb without a lift. We are not a young couple either! Then the food was pretentiously French without taste. All 4 courses were less than mediocre. I am very sorry, Villa Shanti, but I cannot recommend your Riad at all.

En centre ville, proche de la mer et de la jolie promenade qui longe la mer. Tout peut se faire à pied. Très bon restaurant et personnel sympathique

Séjour merveilleux dans cet hôtel de charme. Chambre ravissante, propre et confortable. Personnel aux petits soins. Mention spéciale pour le restaurant qui sert une délicieuse cuisine fusion franco-indienne. Je reviendrai avec grand plaisir !

The worst experience I've had when entering a restaurant in my life. I was with my father of 82, requesting a table of 8 to be set for the rest of my family for lunch. The staff greeted us with indifference, very quickly graduated to arrogance, and turned us away with rudeness, all in a matter of 45 seconds. Sans one table of one, the place was empty and I know why. I strongly recommend you try Grande Europe, which is 2 doors down, or Villa Helena at the beginning of the road instead. Both absolutely lovely experiences with top quality food and service!

This hotel is a 4 star property and has many good reviews which is the reason we booked it when we booked our first friends trip after the lockdown. I want to tell you what other reviews don’t as me and my friends felt that we don’t share the opinion of many here. This is our fair assessment of the property and if these things are important to you, you may want to think again- 1. If you expect modern conveniences that are standard in 4 stars especially if you are a NRI- We booked two junior suites and one of them absolutely does not look like the pics. I thought the decor was minimilism gone wrong and also not comfortable. For eg the seating area was not comfortable due to lack of cushions so unless jute chairs are your jam you will only want to sit on the bed here. The shower area completely lacks any privacy as it does not have any shower door or even a curtain so if you are not travelling as a couple it’s awkward to be showering without any privacy with a roommate plus messy as water splashes in the dressing area. We also had many mosquitoes in the room which they took care of upon our complaints at check in but in my opinion it should be a standard protocol. 2. If you are a vegetarian, the food here is subpar- the restaurant here is quite famous because of their French menu but as a vegetarian you will be hard pressed in options and any of their north or South Indian fare was worse than what we get even outside india. We tried them multiple times and were disappointed so had our meals outside. Many of other cafes here do a fab job with food especially Cafe Coromandel which I will highly recommend for great quality veg food in multiple cusines. 3. Lack of room service and a property focused on rules vs hospitality- the hotel is quite explicit about no room service on their website etc so we knew it going in. However, it became a major inconvenience as on the day we travelled it took us almost 10 hours to come from Delhi and it got really tiring. I would have appreciated that option, we did ask them and they only provided Indian chai in the room which was also pathetic like their veg food. Breakfast timing rules are also vigorously enforced and they also don’t haveany irons in the room. I travel all over the world and this by far one the most uncomfortable property I stayed at. If you are looking to enjoy and feel pampered during your stay, this may not be the right property for that.

An overrated arrogance filled restaurant which serves food full of drama but lacks the taste and zest to serve its guests. The vegetarians don't have best of choices, the portion sizes are small, the service is pathetic and the prices are exorbident which isn't worth your experience. Visit only if you want to charm someone with hollow showoff

We visited Villa Shanti in Pondicherry. Originally went there with the idea of finding accommodation but were told all the rooms are filled. We said fair enough- let’s just have lunch since their food is rated high- empty restaurant but we weren’t allowed to sit. From we have reservations from other guests, to just finished breakfast service and getting ready for lunch (12.30pm BTW) to something else. We went back at 3.00pm, since we liked the cozy sit out there to have a drink but were told there were no drinks and that they were closing- mind you the restaurant was 3/4th full at stage. The tone of response was rude- the lady was almost talking down to me and the overall tone and tenor was very elitist. I spoke to the manager and asked when I could come by again but were told they did not have an evening service and that dinner reservations were already made and there was no room for more. I even offered to prepay for everything if they so desired but was met with an air of arrogance again. Off course I will never visit the damn place again. But a word of caution to others- wear clothes that have brands displaced- print a resume or carry ur business cards on vacation- wear a fancy day suit when u go there or carry wads of cash in different currencies- whatever meets their fancy. Message to the management- I hope you fall on your face, soon. You guys are in the hospitality sector but have no clue what the word means. The staff is rude and and lacks basic courtesy. All in all- a horrible place. Count your blessings and appreciate the favourable response to your venture- else a matter of time really before you loose everything- a fate I hope you guys meet soon.

Gorgeous heritage hotel in the heart of French part of Pondicherry. Delicious ice tea on arrival - gorgeous rooms and lovely bathrooms. Fabulous bar and restaurant with fresh and tasty food. Both dinner and breakfasts. Shame my room was on the top floor but good work out for me!