South India, India

Mantra Veppathur makes a welcoming, comfortable base for explorations of the fascinating Kaveri Delta area, heartland of the once mighty Chola empire. Traditional Tamil motifs have been deployed to great effect in the design and styling of this modern complex, sandwiched between the Kaveri and Veerachora Rivers in a leafy, peaceful compound.

Accommodation is offered in ethnic thatched cottages or shinier illams, fitted with modern bathrooms and typically south Indian pillared verandahs where you can slouch on wooden rocking chairs as flying foxes flit over the treetops. The lure of the pool is hard to resist, but the river’s only a stroll away and perfect for a paddle, plus there’s a smart Ayurvedic spa. Meals are strictly vegetarian affairs, served on banana leaves to a backdrop of temple murals and devotional sculpture.

Our opinion

A rural retreat with comfortable rooms ideal to explore the stunning temple towns in the area.