OT Why Pondicherry
Dimitri Klein It was a kind of spiritual call a call for change. I came to Auroville fourteen years ago and stayed on. I used to run an ad agency in Paris that specialised in artwork for the movie and music industries.
OT So how did you develop an interest in heritage resorts
Dimitri Klein When Dilip Kapur of Hidesign showed me an old property he owned, I suggested that he convert it into a heritage boutique hotel. He said, &ldquoYou do it&rdquo I set up Le Dupleix and then Promenade, in partnership with Kapur, in Pondicherry (renamed Puducherry). Around that time, I bought land and decided to start my own place, The Dune, a beach resort just outside Pondicherry.
OT From an ad agency to heritage resorts &mdash how did you make the connection
Dimitri Klein My mother was an interior designer in France. I grew up in this atmosphere, with good furniture, an artistic ambience, lots of culture. I get this talent from my mother. Also, as a graphic designer, I was already designing posters and record sleeves in my old job.
OT You collect antiques as well. The Dune has a section devoted to restoring antiques.
Dimitri Klein Yes, my parents were both collectors. I spent my childhood in antique shops. I guess I am carrying on the tradition. I have extended this passion to my hotels. I use antique furniture but also antique building material, from pillars, columns and beams to doors and windows. I specialise in restoring old buildings.
OT Tell us about your restoration work.
Dimitri Klein We work with Niels Schonfelder from a Chennai-based design and architecture company called Mancini.com. We have restored over 25 buildings across Tamil Nadu. We often work with Intach and take their advice. One of our latest projects is the Lycée Francais [high school] building in Pondicherry. In Tanjore, we recently restored an old townhouse and converted it into a resort. We are also restoring the iconic Madras Club in Chennai.
OT What&rsquos your most important contribution to the way people travel
Dimitri Klein What I have done is a drop in the ocean. But I think that the main change is that we are bringing a different model of hotel into South India in terms of environmental consciousness and heritage protection. Guests feel better in mind and body and spirit when they stay with us.
OT How do travellers respond to your efforts
Dimitri Klein It&rsquos fantastic when guests come and tell me that they grew up in these settings but did not &lsquosee&rsquo them. They tell me that in my resorts they can see their own culture in a different way. &ldquoWe need to preserve it,&rdquo they say and that feels wonderful.
OT What's next
Dimitri Klein We are working on something in Kochi. Then we plan to be in Sri Lanka with two resorts &mdash one hill and one beach. Wherever we go, we will preserve and highlight local culture and local values.
