Hotels in Chennai

There isn’t quite a place that’s affordable to travel, beautiful, and rich with culture than Chennai, India. It lets you take a break from all the luxury and pampering from other places and really is an eye-opener to most people.

A popular tourist place, the capital state of Tamil Nadu located in the Bay of Bengal, Chennai, is one of the most densely populated places on Earth! Its population of over nine million people reside within a city that is only over a thousand square-kilometres large. Centuries old, filled with rich history and cultural heritage, there is much to be explored in Chennai.

How to Get There

Chennai isn’t too far of a flight from Malaysia. There are direct flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) with popular airlines such as Air Asia, Malaysian Airlines (MAS), Air-India Express, and even Scoot. The flights to Chennai are rather affordable and will take approximately four hours of flight-time only.

Public Transportation Available

Before you begin your journey into India’s transportation, take a breather and understand that traffic is a whole different world there.However, public transportation services still do their job when you need to get somewhere. Right off your flight, you have the option of either a taxi or bus to the train station, which will let you commute directly into the city.

The public buses in the city will be able to get you point to point within the city. The buses are usually very crowded and you may even find yourself hanging to points outside the buses (the pictures you see online are very real). There are also automatic trishaws which you can hail to get around.

If you want to escape the city and get into other parts (long-distance journeys), then your best bet would be to take an overnight train. These night coaches let you travel interstates and they provide you meals, snacks, and drinks. It’s a different method to get around.

Tourist Attractions

Marina Beach

Also known as the longest beach in India, Marina Beach is a very festive place. It comes alive from the large crowds that come to experience the beach and all of its festivities. Swimming is uncommon here due to the strong currents, but there are many other activities and attractions such as statues and monuments.

Theagaraya Nagat (T. Nagar)

You cannot leave Chennai without shopping for some local goods and cultural items. The shopping district of Theagaraya Nagat is filled with many local goods and items. You will find traditional costumes such as sarees and jippas with the best bargains here. Don’t forget to catch performances during the Madras Music Festival.

Fort Saint George

Currently the home of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly & Secretariat, Fort Saint George is what remains of the previous British colonisation. The fort used to belong to the British East India Company.

Where to Stay

Hotels

For those wishing to experience Chennai with a touch of luxury, your best bet are hotels. The Hyatt Regency at the Anna Salai area will provide you with all the luxury you required with its 5-star facilities such as a lounge bar, Siddh Spa, fitness centres, and delectable dining options. If you want to truly live like a king, the ITC Grand Chola is a luxury hotel that resembles a palace.

Bed & Breakfast (BNB)

There are several BNB places around Chennai that will get you by for accommodation and a place to sleep. Pleasant Stay Guesthouse is a place that’s easy to manage with its convenient facilities such as car hire, currency exchange, and baggage story. OYO Parkway Inn is yet another that is great with its food.

Resorts

If you want to escape the busy city streets, then the Green Meadows Resort is an excellent choice. Stay in a luxurious environment surrounded by lush green gardens. It is a great place for families with wide open spaces and excellent services. If you prefer the beach, there is always the VGP Golden Beach Resort; a relaxing accommodation with a beautiful seaside view.

Hostels

Travellers in large groups looking for affordable and comfortable accommodation should look at the various hostels located in Chennai. Hostel 11 Elliot’s Beach is one that’s catered towards groups of friends; its dorms are gender separated and each has bunk beds suited for two persons.