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Chennai

Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is one of India's largest cities, home to more than 7 million people. Capital of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is a historic and culturally significant place. First established in 1639 as an outpost by the British East India Company, it later grew into a regional administrative center, home to a Royal Navy base and a slew of colonial buildings. Today, Chennai is a thriving city that markedly differs from the rest of India - due both to its Tamil (south Indian) and colonial heritage.

EXPERIENCES

Cholamandal Artists' Village

Visit Cholamandal Artists' Village, located about 12 miles south of Chennai. The village was set up in the mid-1960s by the principal of the Madras School of Arts and Crafts for artists to pool their talents and resources to learn from and influence each other. The result is this thriving, tranquil respite from the city, where many artists make their home and have their own studios. There are a few galleries that exhibit works for sale; most have reasonable price tags.

Government Museum

Visit the Bronze Gallery in the Government Museum, which houses several personal collections of notable British doctors. The museum itself is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, which blends Rajput, Hindu and high-Victorian styles. On occasion, Remote Lands can arrange for guests to meet with a top curator, who can escort you to store rooms and workshops where pieces are in the process of being restored.

Saravana Bhavan

Have lunch at Saravana Bhavan, a successful franchise of south Indian vegetarian restaurants that has established outposts as far as New York, London, Singapore and elsewhere. Learn how to eat with your hands as you dig into your thali, which has roughly 14 different cups of curries, raita (yogurt) and other staples of the south Indian diet.

When you are finished, meet with the head chef and walk through the kitchen for a cooking demonstration to see how so many dishes are made for every meal.

Southern Railway Terminus

Stop by the Southern Railway terminus in town for another example of the beautiful Indo-Saracenic architecture that is distinctive of the area.

india Regions

INDIA Regions

North-Eastern

Northern

Rajasthan

Southern

Western

Wildlife Parks

BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK

SATPURA NATIONAL PARK

The Leela Palace Chennai

For luxury, elegance, and a panoramic view of the Bay of Bengal, look no further than the Leela Palace Chennai, a five-star hotel in Chennai, India. Its design and architecture inspired by the Chettinad Dynasty, the hotel exudes a classic regal opulence, from the Royal Entrance through the Lobby Promenade, following along to the Grand Staircase, all the way to the Royal Ballroom. Sitting on 4.8 acres, the glorious seafront property looks out to where the Adyar River joins the Bay of Bengal, a view guests can take in from the Sea View Courtyard, or a sea breeze they can enjoy from the outdoor pool. With over 300 rooms and luxury suites, the hotel provides guests the option of a sea view or a stunning vista of the nearby city center. This 11-storey hotel also features several world-class dining options, including China XO, for Chinese cuisine, Jamavar, its signature Indian restaurant, and The Cake Shop, for all things sweet. To further indulge, guests will soon be able to relax in the saunas, steam rooms, and treatment rooms of the in-house luxury spa - the world-renowned ESPA.

Park Hyatt

Designed by the architects of New York’s George Wong Designs, the Park Hyatt offers its guests a modern, international aesthetic, accented with fine Indian textiles. Built beside the governor’s residence with a pool overlooking the the Guindy National Park, the hotel contains 201 rooms, with 20 suites, across seven floors of the hotel’s 11 stories. For dinner, take a seat at The Flying Elephant. Designed to be an unforgettable dining experience, The Flying Elephant spans 6 interaactive kitchens on 3 themed levels, including a bar, dance floor, and family dining room, each serving a rotating menu of Indian delights as well as international fair. The Park Hyatt Chennai was named “The Best New Hotel of the Year” at the HICSA conference in 2013 and is approximately 20 minutes from the Chennai Airport (MAA) by car.

The Trident

The Trident Chennai is located ten minutes from Chennai International Airport and conveniently close to the new business districts of Sriperumbudur, Maraimalai Nagar, Guindy and the Chennai Trade Center. Set amongst five acres of lush, tropical gardens, the elegant, low-rise hotel caters to the business community and leisure travellers with 167 rooms and suites that feature climate control, Wi-Fi, LCD TV and DVD players, and access to club rooms that serve free afternoon tea and evening cocktails. Dining options include Samudra Restaurant, which offers fine cuisine from across India, while Cinnamon provides all-day Indian and international dining, as well as a generous breakfast buffet. The Spa at Trident Chennai offers a selection of treatments designed to renew, refresh and replenish the soul. A team of trained therapists offers guests a range of treatments to choose from: traditional Indian Ayurvedic massages, aromatherapy and Western techniques. There is also a well-equipped fitness centre, business facilities, and an outdoor swimming pool.