A Dash Of Southern Comfort

The new intercontinental hotel and resort in Mahabalipuram is evocative of the region’s transformation that combines contemporary luxury with old customs and Aesthetic.

- Kalpana Sunder

On the wall behind the desk in the lobby, is an over-sized stone carving, a grid of built forms and open spaces called the Nandyavarta—used in the layout of ancient Indian towns. This is a modern interpretation of an Indian city settlement, highlighting the architectural concept of the resort. The high ceilings, the craggy walls made from blocks of granite sourced from Kanchipuram, juxtaposed against the leather loungers in the lobby, create the temple ambience, almost immediately. The majestic central courtyard with its pillars and the massive temple tank with lotus afloat, reinforce the heritage feel of the resort, located on a sprawling 15-acre property, not far from the ancient temple town of Mahabalipuram, famous for its UNESCO Shore temples. This 7th century port city of the Pallavas is most famous for its Shore Temples devoted to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu with their complex carvings embellished with beautiful motifs and craftsmanship.

I am at Mahabalipuram’s first luxury beach resort, InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, launched in January this year. The luxury resort is the brainchild of the firm of CV Sydney, an offspring of the renowned Singapore-based Kerry Hill design firm. “The resort’s architecture is largely drawn from the majestic wealth of south Indian temple architecture with contemporary sleek lines fused effortlessly,” explains Karuna Amarnath, the Marketing Manager of the resort. The temple motif continues across the resort—the two meeting rooms are called Mana and Manthan— heart and churning—and the banquet room just across the corridor is Samaya—the meeting of minds.