Saratha Vilas, built by a wealthy Tamil merchant in the early 1900s, is a prime example of the luxurious mansions unique to the heritage of the Chettinad region. The 34500 sq. ft. property, including buildings, courtyards and gardens, has been painstakingly restored, and converted into a ten-bedroom boutique hotel by two French architects passionate about the preservation of Chettinad and its history.
Lonely planet https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/chettinadu/hotels/saratha-vilas/a/lod/1452d4ce-e138-46cb-97a4-e26f2e322be8/1329562