Athithi Inn sits stately in the heart of the noisy and smoggy Ameerpet neighbourhood aka pirated software haven. As you begin to tread into the hotel, a stunningly sculpted Dravidianesque entabulature regally welcomes you. Further setting the tone is the lobby, which is a well-lit, spacious antechamber with a large glossy cherrywood sofa, carved to ethnic perfection.

In an age where businesses are increasingly looking toward dazzling architecture and snazzy interiors, Athithi Inn begs to differ with its refreshing yet sublime Dravidian interiors. Unlike the Baroque, neo-Gothic architecture that depicts European themes, Indian architecture quaintly shifts away from the neutral cliched tones, and is fluid and timeless being subtly cohesive with all the modern nuances.

This axiom can be experienced in every facet and detail of Athithi. Be it the eerily decorative lighting adorning the aisles, or the elegant hardwood flooring, or its cozy rooms. Further emphasizing the hotel's interior brilliance are the various carvings of sculpture and fractals on pillars and on the entabulature, clearly showing the craftsmanship of the artists who created them.

In sync with Athithi's ambience are its 42 immaculately created rooms and suites with all the fancy frills that usually accompany elite hotels. The classic suite has two spacious, well-done rooms with all the ethnic aura, slick hardwood flooring, a kingsize double bed, a well-upholstered couch, a glass study table, a fine cocktail table (glass as well), comfortably cushioned chairs and a large dreamy lounge chair, apart from the usual fancy frills like the minibar, TV and bathroom with a tub.

These amenities are all common to every room, and the only difference between the various categories of rooms is the size. I particularly liked the medium-priced ones that had two rooms - a living room and a bedroom with a raised-platform hardwood flooring - despite not being a suite. Sweet!

Coming to dining, fine or crass, Athithi has 'em all - a popular multi-cuisine vegetarian restaurant traditionally named Sampradaya, and for the meat and mead lovers, Ullasa, a different-cuisine restaurant and bar. It also has a furnished conference hall that can accommodate 100 people.

"Athithi" is a Telugu word for guest effusing plenty of warmth, and Athithi Inn certainly fills the shoes of its connotation.