The Royal Meridien is generally regarded as one of the bests hotel in Chennai. (Though not on this website, obviously). And the lobby is World Class. I don't think in all of my travels, I've seen a better non-contemporary hotel lobby. And, if their late night work is any indication, they try hard to keep it that way. I've conducted business in this lobby on more than one occasion when not even being a registered guest. You will remember this lobby forever. The standard restaurant is very good also. The service is solid. The menu diverse. The breakfast, complimentary buffet for guests, is very good, though I'll pass on the Chicken Liver. The pool area is outstanding, though criminally underused by the guests. The garden area is well kept and attractive also. In fact, the atmosphere at the hotel is generally first class. Until you get to your room. First, the high points of a standard room. Fresh flowers (carnations) are a nice touch. The hand held shower head is quality, with nice water pressure, though the shower itself is slip prone. There are a lot of standard "in case you forgots" provided in the washroom. Wash rags are provided. The centralized light control is very useful. In effect, you can turn on or off every light in the room from your bedside table. The minibar prices aren't entirely unreasonable. Housekeeping does an excellent job cleaning the room. Twice daily service is a plus. Two daily newspapers is noted and appreciated. The food at the various restaurants in this hotel is very good. The greeting at the airport is prompt and polite. The air conditioner in your room stays on at low speed after one departs, which makes the room tolerable upon arrival at the end of the day. It is of limited usefulness as a dehumidifier, however. The store at the hotel itself does not allow you to charge purchases to your room, a disappointment. My particular room was in need of a fresh coat of paint. Dirt from hands was evident on the molding and room pieces. The room did not come with an iron or ironing board. This is most likely an attempt to get you to use their laundry service, which is overpriced, and returns your clothes with an...interesting smell, though well pressed. The television is of below average quality for a room at this price point. The housekeeping staff does not understand the concept of Do Not Disturb. Repeatedly, despite both the presence of a Do Not Disturb tag on my door and the Privacy Please display activated on the outside unit in front of the door, the housekeeping department called to ask if I wanted service, the restaurant called to ask if I would be attending breakfast, and the IT staff wanted to "check the internet connection." Rule of thumb here. Do Not Disturb, means Do Not Disturb, not "call me and ask if I'd like not to be disturbed." The business office can be difficult to deal with, and there is an excessive charge for their services. Sending an international fax was an adventure in misunderstood translations. The beds are nearly rock hard. In fairness, this is also the case at the Radisson. The Royal Meridien seems to equate one queen bed with two twin beds separately made and pushed together. This is unacceptable. As is the room noise. While the walls themselves are soundproof, the large, wooden connecting doors are not. I had the misfortune of hearing every argument taking place with the family next door, along with the wails of discontent of their children, which made sleeping a challenge. At this price point, I shouldn't hear a pin drop. (Note that this too is a problem with the Radisson). There is no food via room service after 11:30 p.m., a disappointment particularly on evenings when I had to perform second shift work. The vehicles used to ferry guests from the airport are aging, judging by the mold growing at the base of the back window of the vehicle we were welcomed in. For a luxury hotel, I expected better. The neighboring Radisson does better with late model Hondas and Chevy's, than the aging Scorpios used by the Meridien. Watch your bill. While you can negotiate a decent rate for your stay, they will still tax you at the "prevailing market rate." Nicely put, though you can get a rate of 8000 rupees per night, they will still tax you at 10 or 14,000 rupees per night. I wouldn't pick this hotel over the Radisson if I had it to do over again. They do seem to get some things right, however the room itself is severely lacking in quality overall. This is not five star, and that’s a shame because, even at it’s age-if they straightened out the room situation it has potential.

The road leading to the Hotel Roundabout and Lobby looks impressive. There seems to be endless stream of vehicles coming in, and at times can cause a nuisance for the impatient guest. Attendants are always friendly and attentive. Hotel Lobby huge and impressive. A little dark though, but comfortable nonetheless. Over the counter was prompt and friendly. many hotel staff are available, awating guests orders and request with efficient and friendly service. There were few restuarants, pub, some shops, and a tailor shop. Made a suit there costing 19000rupees, using super 120's. Well suits are cheaper than in Chennai's Raymonds. But Raymonds had greater variety and lots more choices. The pool appears slightly small for a hotel this size, it has only four storeys, with long winding corridors leading to guests rooms. Allocated a superior room costing 9000rupees++, a bit pricey, which was 1000rupees more than one of my colleagues. Fathom that. The place is not new, neither is the room , but it is clean and nicely furnished and well mainatined. Room was good, and big, but like all things in Le Meridien, it is not that brightly lit. A king size bed with nice matress and bed sheets. very comfortable. bathroom was big, and impressive. However, the temperature control leaves a lot to be desire. It does not respond well to the turn of the knob. My room has a dresser table, with inadequate lighting, a two seater sofa, a well-stocked mini bar, an electronic safe, a TV, two high back chairs and a coffee table. Laundry service is so-so. Internet service was also easy and friendly. Wi-Fi in most of Hotel areas. I actually enjoy staying here. All in all, I would come back again.

stayed here because my mother had before and recommended it as its close to the airport. it has to be one of the worst customer service experiences in a hotel i have ever experienced. the manager of the property was rude, arrogant and unhelpful. despite telling them my in laws were delayed, they gave their room away and then proceeded to tell us they were then fully booked. we had to give them our room and stay off site in a mosquito filled room 10 minutes by car away. and they only did this because i raised hell. they charged us for the room, didn't apologize and told me they were being accommodating by giving us that room. unless you need to go right to the airport and need a room for a night, DO NOT stay here. it's far from the city center and with traffic takes an hour to get anywhere you'd want to spend any time.

Travel agent recommended spot due to proximity to airport. Friendly doorman, large reception area, decent business centre and yummy cake shop. Room was basic but clean - which after a tour around South India became a priviledge not a right despite huge dollars. The bar adjacent to reception could do with better lighting but atleast they served a decent choice of beers! We had a driver and car so did not have an issue travelling round Chennai - this is a good and safe way to travel.

Stayed at this hotel for nearly a week. Room was OK and so was the restaurant. BUT I HAD A NEW PAIR OF EXPENSIVE SANDALS STOLEN FROM MY ROOM WHILST I WAS OUT. I HAD ONLY JUST BOUGHT THEM IN SPENCER PLAZA. HOTEL DID NOT WANT TO KNOW. It was not the money that concerned me but the principle. If you need to stay here then watch your belongings. I would not go back.