Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu · luxury

Svatma, Thanjavur

★★★★★

Svatma is a heritage and wellness hotel a few minutes from the Brihadeeswarar Temple. It joins a restored 1942 family house to a newer wing built in the same spirit, with pillared verandas, a temple tank-style pool and courtyards. The food is sattvic and vegetarian, cooked without onion or garlic, and there is a live Carnatic music recital most evenings. There is a full Ayurveda centre, a yoga hall, and a shop of Tanjore crafts. The service is warm and personal. It is comfortably the finest stay in the delta, and it turns a temple stop into a restful night or two.