I had been to Pondicherry on an official trip but stay was very short. But the city captured my imagination. I made it a point to visit again but this time with my family. We decided to spend 3-4 days at the erstwhile French colony. We checked into Hotel De L’Orient. The hotel is at a very convenient location close to the sea. The interiors are great. The rooms are wonderfully maintained and the stay was very pleasant with the staff very cooperative and understandable and very helpful. Food variety could have been better but I was mostly having food when roaming so I had fewer sessions in the restaurant. If Pondicherry is a must visit place for Aurobindo Ashram and other places, this is the hotel to stay and enjoy. The hotel does give you an impression of being the French atmosphere since you will find many guests from that country. So in a way you also travel to France if you stay in this hotel