Anandha Inn, Pondicherry

Some hotels become part of a city's story simply by welcoming generations of travellers. Anandha Inn is one of them. Long established and consistently dependable, it has built its reputation on comfortable accommodation, warm hospitality and a location that makes exploring Pondicherry remarkably straightforward. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than fashionable, with spacious public areas, generous rooms and a pace that suits families returning from a day of sightseeing just as well as business travellers extending a stay into the weekend.

Its location also offers an advantage that first-time visitors often appreciate only after arriving. Sitting just beyond the heritage core, the hotel places you within easy reach of White Town while keeping you connected to the everyday rhythm of Pondicherry itself. It is a reminder that the city is not only a preserved French quarter, but also a vibrant Tamil town whose markets, temples and neighbourhood cafés continue much as they always have.

Its central position makes sightseeing refreshingly easy. Spend the morning exploring White Town's colonial streets, return for lunch or a swim during the hottest part of the day, then head back out in the evening when the Promenade fills with walkers and the sea breeze begins to cool the city. For families in particular, having everything within a short drive makes the day feel far more relaxed.

Within minutes you can reach the Promenade, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, museums, cafés and Pondicherry's lively shopping streets. If you're travelling with children, the city's famous ice cream parlours make an excellent reward after a morning spent exploring churches, temples and heritage buildings.

Pondicherry takes ice cream more seriously than most visitors expect. Several cafés stock the excellent Auroville-made ice cream, produced from milk supplied by Auroville's own dairy. The vanilla is exceptionally good, while seasonal flavours such as mango, sitaphal and tender coconut appear throughout the year depending on the harvest. Sampling different cafés quickly becomes a small mission in itself, particularly for younger travellers.

The Manakula Vinayagar Temple, one of the oldest temples in Pondicherry, lies just beyond White Town and offers one of the city's most engaging cultural experiences. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, it predates the arrival of the French and has remained at the heart of local religious life ever since. Its colourful gopuram, lively courtyards and constant stream of devotees make it an unforgettable introduction to South Indian temple culture.

If you have older children or teenagers, set aside half a day for the Auroville Visitor Centre. Few places in India tell a more unusual story. Founded in 1968 as an international township dedicated to human unity, Auroville today brings together residents from dozens of countries living among forests that they themselves planted on once-barren laterite land. The Visitor Centre explains the vision clearly, while the shaded walk to the Matrimandir viewing point offers an excellent introduction before deciding whether to book a visit inside on a future trip.