Ocean Spray

This sprawling, contemporary hotel is set against a huge manmade lagoon flanked with thick swathes of palm trees that extend from the hotel's main buildings all the way out to the shoreline. The lobby features stone accent walls and high ceilings strung with heavy chandeliers, and there's a seating area at one end with wicker chairs and sofas topped with thick cushions. Most guests are tourists or vacationers looking for a quiet place to relax, and lots of domestic travelers stay here. 

The resort is about a half-hour drive north of Pondicherry (AKA Puducherry) in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Getting to Auroville, an international intentional community and major tourist attraction, takes about a half-hour by car, while it's an hour and 20 minutes or so by car to reach the ancient sea-facing temple ruins at Mahabalipuram. It takes about three hours by car to reach the state capital of Chennai (formerly Madras) where the closest major airport is located.

This hotel offers three types of rooms and three types of villas, all with -- at a minimum -- air-conditioning, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and flat-screen TVs. Some units also have whirlpools. Decor is similar across categories, with ample use of light or medium wood in both the flooring and on wall and ceiling panelling, plus contemporary, neutral furniture spruced up with throw cushions and bed runners in muted shades. Bathrooms are sleek, with dark-gray marble floors and walls and separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs. An array of nice toiletries, like shaving kits and loofahs, are provided. All units also have balconies or terraces overlooking the property's expansive lagoon. 

This hotel offers a good array of facilities, mostly geared toward vacationers (though there are a couple of event spaces for small conferences or meetings, plus  free Wi-Fi). The crown jewel here is the expansive swimming pool, which the hotel suggests is possibly one of the largest in the region. This lagoon-style pool stretches out across the resort and is flanked by a brick patio and beautifully landscaped islands covered with frangipani and palm trees. There's also a swim-up bar for adults, as well as a huge adjacent kids' pool for younger guests. Other family-friendly features include a kids' club with table tennis and games and a small playground with small slides and play structures geared toward younger children. Wellness activities include a well-equipped fitness center with Precor cardio and weight-training machines galore, plus a spa -- Elysium -- offering facials, massages, and scrubs. 

Dining options include the 24-hour Tea Lounge, which serves light meals along with tea, coffee, and pastries. For something more substantial, Amber -- the main lobby-level restaurant -- serves a good buffet selection of Indian and international food for all three meals. There's also the more sophisticated Lotosas, with catch-of-the-day seafood and fine dining in the evenings. Room service is available.