We arrived early in the morning, having caught the train from Kanyakumari (an experience in itself!). Despite arriving well before the normal check-in time we were given a room, which was very clean and comfortable. The pool area in the centre courtyard was very well maintained, and there was a choice of restuarants - we had breakfast in the Verandah which overlooks the pool, and dinner in Hip Asia (where the service was a bit slow - unusual given that it was absolutely first class everywhere else in the hotel). There is also a trendy cocktail bar which was pleasant for a couple of pre-dinner drinks. The location of the hotel is great - right next door to the huge shopping centre, Spencer Plaza. Unfortunately we had to check out very early (our flight was at 05.25) and it was a shame that we had to leave so early. Certainly not the cheapest hotel in Chennai, but we felt it was good value for money given the location, the quality, and the excellent service.

The service from the front desk to housekeeping to the service staff at the cafe was just excellent. Warm, friendly, always greet, smile, attentive and prompt. I love the ambience of having breakfast at the cafe, which has a colonial terrace feel. The spread was great too. The juices are all freshly squeezed. The bedroom and bathroom were very spacious. The bed very comfortable. After experiencing this hotel, I found service in Intercontinental Delhi disappointing. This is a charming hotel with charming staff that hooked you beyond the hardware.

Le service fourni, de l’accueil au ménage en passant par le café, est tout à fait excellent. Le personnel est chaleureux, agréable, toujours souriant et accueillant, attentif et empressé. J’adorais prendre le petit déjeuner au café, avec sa terrasse à l’ambiance coloniale. La confiture était délicieuse et les jus de fruits fraîchement pressés. Chambre et salle de bains étaient très spacieuses. Le lit était très confortable. Après avoir séjourné ici, j’ai trouvé décevant le service offert à l’Intercontinental Delhi. Cet hôtel et son personnel charmants vous séduiront certainement !

I must agree with the mosquitos comments refered to by writer, slinky09.london 's review; however I found the mosquitos unbearable. The lobby and indoor restaurants were also rampant with them. The outdoor restaurant is a joke. My wife and myself were swarmed with mosquitos trying to walk there. We gave up and went back inside. We then ate at the Hip Asia restaurant. Food was very good and plenty of chioces. Still the mosquitos , and a lot of cigarette smokers. The smoke may have actually helped, when the smokers finished and left, the mosquitos got worse. The room was also a nice surprise in respect to size and comfort. Bathroom and shower both excellent. There were mosquitos however. The pool was also nice to visit briefly- too many mosquitos. The worst part of the hotel's location, other than the cess pool that it sits adjacent, is the city tax on alcohol. No one mentioned this to us before booking and the hotel does not mention it anywhere on any of the menus in either the bar or restaurants. Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal , however the tax on domestic brand beer, wine ,or liquor is 58% and 73% on import brands. We were shocked at our dinner bill , after having two import drinks and a bottle of wine. The price on the menus seems a little steep, but then add 73% to it! We will never go back to this hotel again.

The rooms are comfy and spacious, the front room I had suffered from the usual Indian traffic noise but thats the same in most hotels in the region. The resturants were first class with a good selection on offer throughout. Pool is worthy of mentioning too as it offers the traveller an Oasis in the hustle of Chennai.