44 | LUXlife Magazine “Protecting our built heritage and preserving our own story for future generations presents a real challenge – a challenge that is being enthusiastically taken up by the promoters of Villa Shanti and The Spot.” Imagine you’re surrounded by glorious flora, the sun is glistening atop the clear water of a large swimming pool, you see tables set for another delicious dinner time, and you feel as though you are true royalty. This divine atmosphere was carefully crafted to satisfy guests and keep the spirit of Pondicherry alive – through experience, through touch, taste, laugher, and memory. With six suites, La Villa’s rooms are each unique and as awe-inspiring as the last. The rooms are light and breezy, with access to a terraced area and air conditioning. They have everything a guest could need, from exquisite hypoallergenic pillows and toiletries to reading lamps and free internet, bathrobes to private bars, ensuites, and so much more. Each suite is not to be missed if it’s luxury on the itinerary. As owner of this magnificent space, Sylvain Ségiyane Paquiry worked alongside two French architects, Tina Trigala and Yves Lesprit, to extend the colonial facades of La Villa. Inspired by its true heritage, and the heritage of the area, La Villa became “an elegant meeting of influences and eras in the image of old Pondicherry.” The sustainability of its artisanal design has kept the hotel sparkling and standing strong for the future generations to come. Ségiyane tells us, “Adaptive reuse refers to the process of reusing an old site or building for a purpose other than which it was built or designed for. Sometimes, adaptive reuse is the only way that the building’s fabric will be properly cared for, revealed or interpreted, while making better use of the building. Tina Trigala and Yves Lesprit have successfully answered to this metamorphosis by Bypassing the wasteful process of demolition and imagined how adaptive reuse of old buildings can be adapted to the city.” Furthermore, with sustainability at heart across everything the team does, the restaurant on site is committed to providing sumptuous meals with sincerity, at a reasonable price. Of course, the restaurant prioritises using local ingredients for every meal and delivers flavourful, seasonal French cuisine all year round. Part of a group with La Villa Shanti and The Spot, La Villas is a glowing beacon of light which reminds each guest of the history of Pondicherry, Best Artisanal Villa 2024 – Asia Pondicherry is a former French colony south of Chennai. The place itself is rich in beauty and steeped in heritage, which is slowly, and sadly, being eroded away. However, we’ve found a notable hidden gem which showcases intricate French architecture of true cultural significance – keeping the spirit of Pondicherry alive. Let’s take a closer look at La Villa as it is recognised for its excellence in our Travel and Tourism Awards 2024. as well as the future of the culture which surrounds the place. Featured in The New York Times Style Magazine and winning Travel and Leisure’s Best New Hotel award in 2015, La Villa is a space which hasn’t gone unnoticed. Many years have passed, yet La Villa has remained unchanged. It is this dedication to sustainable, artisan architecture which has allowed the years to roll by without leaving a mark on either property. The only mark that is left is that of the memories made within each of its guests – which they will carry with them for their lifetimes. Bestowed with the title of Best Artisanal Villa 2024 – Asia, in our Travel and Tourism Awards 2024, La Villa is still firmly on the map as a must-visit destination. If you’ve ever wanted to fully immerse yourself in the deeply rooted history, culture, and beauty of the Francophonie, look no further. Contact: Sylvain Ségiyane Paquiry Company: LA VILLA HOTEL PVT Web Address: www.lavillapondicherry.com
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