Restored by INTACH as a private residence for Francis Wacziarg, founder of Neemrana Hotels, Thanga House is an elegant 100-year-old 4-bedroom traditional Tamil house that welcomes guests to Tranquebar, India’s first Danish trading post. Located just over 100 km south of Pondicherry but only a few steps from the ocean, its tall, breezy terrace overlooks the palm-fringed beach, a perfect place to watch the sun rise over the horizon. This three-level villa, which you can book by individual rooms, is divided into two buildings, separated by an expansive courtyard. You can spend your day touring the various heritage sites in Tranquebar and its surrounding towns, such as Fort Dansborg, the second-largest fort the Danes built in the world. Nearby is the famous temple of Thirukadaiyur, popular for 60th anniversary celebrations, and the Saneeswara Temple at Thirunallar. At night, you can cool off in our plunge pool to prepare for the next day. Though the house is exclusively vegetarian, we can arrange a food tour in neighbouring Karaikal, featuring a smorgasbord from our favourite Islamic and Tamil non-vegetarian dining establishments to feast on. STORY OF THANGA HOUSE In the post-tsunami devastation of Tranquebar, the Government of Denmark and non-profit institutions set about restoring the colonial and Tamil quarter of the village to recreate a bygone era. Among these institutions was INTACH, which restored two rows of ancient Tamil houses to serve as multi-use community spaces. One of these caught the eye of Francis Wacziarg, co-founder of Neemrana Hotels, and he purchased and restored it as his private residence. Because Thanga House was born through this partnership of Francis and INTACH, stepping into the lime plaster walls of Thanga House transports you back to a design ethos that merges Danish and Tamil styles. Signature peaked, tiled roofs cover each room, supported by sturdy wooden beams. The rosewood beds complement the rest of the house’s teak and cane furniture, lending to a picturesque antique atmosphere you’ll fall in love with. The ethos of Thanga House revolves around finding an understated luxury in simplicity. Thanga House stands today as an imprint of the often-forgotten town’s roots, a fitting destination for a historical and religious retreat. SPACES - Villa sleeps 8 guests (max 12, for an additional fee) including adults & children - 4 Bedrooms with ensuite baths - Silver Room - 1 Queen bed - Gold Room - 2 Single beds - Diamond Room - 1 King bed - Platinum Room - 1 King four-poster bed - Dining and lounge area with air conditioning - Breezy terrace with a breathtaking view of the sea - Spacious courtyard with a wrought-iron table - Large plunge pool INCLUDED SERVICES - Daily breakfast included with your stay - Pure vegetarian food, predominantly local Tranquebar Tamil cuisine with set menus for meals - Air conditioning in all bedrooms - Mini fridge and satellite TV in all bedrooms - High-quality bath amenities - Daily housekeeping from 8 AM to 8:30 PM - High-quality bed & bath linen - Iron and ironing board on request - Broadband Wi-Fi coverage throughout the house - 100% power back-up with voltage stabilisation - Self-guided trail maps - LUX Concierge Service AVAILABLE SERVICES - Lunch and dinner available with advance notice - Sundown rooftop dinners can be organised with advance notice - Guided tours including walks & day trips for an extra charge HOW TO SPEND YOUR TIME - Unwind with a relaxing walk along the jetty - Participate in the morning live seafood auction at the jetty - Experience Tranquebar’s rich Danish history with guided heritage walks - Visit Fort Dansborg, the second-largest fort the Danes built in the world. Explore its museum to learn about the landmark’s history, such as establishing the first printing press in India and its importance in the spice trade. - Pray at CSI Zion Church, said to be one of the first Protestant churches in India. - Explore the various restored buildings on Kings Street & Fort Plaza. - Sunbathe on the Tharangambadi Beach. - Ease your business and health concerns by worshipping the 800-year-old idol at Masilamani Nathar Temple. - Visit the Sri Renuga Devi Amman Temple, a 700-year-old Hindu temple on the edge of the sea. - Admire the Indian accents in the typically Danish construction of the New Jerusalem Church. Built out of teak wood from the Jaffna Dutch Ceylon, the church was made to resemble the Holy Cross. - Take a half-day trip to Chidambaram to pay tribute to Lord Shiva at Chidambaram Temple in the heart of the town. - Boat the second-largest mangrove forest in the world in Pichavaram, just 2 hours from the villa. - Sample some of the best Islamic and Tamil non-vegetarian cuisine on our food tour of Karaikal. - Visit Thirukadaiyur, whose temple is a renowned location for 60th marriage ceremonies. - Pay tribute to Lord Saneeswaran at the Thirunallar Temple. - Visit the Budhan and Ketu Navagraha temples near Poompuhar. VILLA INSIGHTS - Thanga House is completely vegetarian, serving predominantly local Tranquebar Tamil vegetarian cuisine, and does not permit consumption of non-vegetarian food on the premises. We do not serve alcoholic beverages. - Senior travellers should note that there are no elevators on the premises to access upper-floor rooms. - An additional guest in any room will be accommodated on mattresses. - The bed of the silver room is smaller, so while it can accommodate 2 people, a child cannot additionally fit. - The main entrance into the house has a very low head clearance. Do watch out when entering or leaving. - The beds in some rooms have high clearance, so please take care when climbing into or out of them, especially in the dark. - Tranquebar’s temples, churches and mosques broadcast their rituals, sermons and call to prayer with great fervour from dawn to dusk and beyond. At dawn and dusk, the cacophony from roosting peafowl in the house and its surroundings also rivals these broadcasts. Ear plugs are available in every room. - Set in a tropical haven and surrounded by lush greenery, the house attracts flies, ants and other bugs. Any food left open in the bedrooms or common spaces will also attract bugs. These insects attract bats, frogs, and geckos. Do remember to keep all doors & windows shut to keep critters out. - Because of its size, the villa does not have any private parking. However, there is ample street parking on Goldsmith Street, where guests may park. - The marble-lined courtyard plunge pool is not meant for swimming or diving. Families should supervise young children in the pool at all times, as there is no lifeguard. - Smoking is not permitted in the bedrooms, bathrooms or the air-conditioned lounge. You may smoke in the sitouts, where ashtrays are provided. Please dispose of cigarette butts responsibly. - Many of the historical religious spaces you can visit are still in operation. If you want to visit them, check their opening and closing hours with your host so you can plan accordingly. - Thanga House is a footwear-free zone. Please leave your shoes just inside the main entrance door. We offer slippers to use while indoors, or you can walk barefoot. GETTING HERE Thanga House is located in the coastal heritage city Tharangambadi, or Tranquebar, the first Danish trading post in India. - Thirukadaiyur: 15 mins - Karaikal: 25 mins - Thirunallar: 25 mins - Chidambaram: 1.5 hrs - Pichavaram: 2 hrs - Kumbakonam: 2 hrs - Tanjore: 3 hrs - Pondicherry: 3.5 hrs - Chennai: 7 hrs - Bangalore: 9 hrs - Mayiladuthurai Railway Station: 50 mins - Tiruchirappalli Airport: 3.5 hrs.