Savoy Hotel, 77 Sylks Road, Ooty. 150-year-old property, once school for European kids. Elephants dragged the wooden beams all the way from Tipu Sultan's palace in Srirangapatnam. Accom 40 cottages (all A/C). Contact Ph: 0423-444142/7

The Bangala, Karaikudi, 90 km from Madurai and Tiruchirapalli airports/ 8-hour drive from Chennai. Old Chettinad family home, recently restored in Art Deco style. Accom 8 rooms. Contact Chettinad Heritage Hotels Ltd, 118 Santhome High Road, Chennai Ph: 044-4934851/4913, 4942985, 04565-420221.

Sterling Swamimalai, Kumbakonam, 91 km from Tiruchirapalli airport, 5-hour drive from Chennai. Property built in 1886. Accom 25 rooms (AC). Contact Sterling Holiday Resorts, Chennai Ph: 044-4998121, 498114.

Taj Garden Retreat, 40 TPK Road, Pasumalai, Madurai. 100-year-old property in the heart of temple country. Contact Ph: 0452-771601