Hotels in Chennai

Chennai: Coromandel Coast Capital and Cultural Anchor

Chennai, Tamil Nadu's capital on the Bay of Bengal, stretches 70 km along one of India's longest urban coastlines. Founded as Madrasapatnam in 1639 when the British East India Company built Fort St. George, the city holds the oldest surviving British fort in India. The Marina Beach promenade runs 13 km from Fort St. George south to Besant Nagar — the second-longest urban beach in the world. Classical Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam dance, and the annual December Music Season at venues like Music Academy on TTK Road draw cultural travelers each year.

Where to Stay in Chennai

Most hotels concentrate in three corridors. Anna Salai (Mount Road) anchors the commercial centre with mid-range and business hotels. T. Nagar and Nungambakkam suit travelers wanting proximity to silk-saree markets and consulates. OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road) in the south hosts newer properties near the IT corridor and is 50 km from Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO Shore Temple site dating to the 7th century.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: The Mrts elevated rail and Chennai Metro connect the beach corridor to the airport; the airport metro station opened in 2015.
• Climate: April–June temperatures exceed 40 °C; November–January is cooler and drier.
• Language: Tamil is primary; English is widely used in hotels and business districts.
• Airport: Chennai International Airport (MAA) is 16 km southwest of Anna Salai.