Where to Stay in Chennai, India

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The Best Area to Stay in Chennai

Often overlooked in comparison to more flashy Mumbai and accessible Delhi, the people of Chennai (formerly Madras) proudly consider their city as the artistic and cultural center of India. As the capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is a vibrant industrialized city with a proud pre-colonial history, and the state and city are culturally and linguistically (but not religiously) distinct from the rest of India. Despite being a major port and base for exploration, most remnants of the British Raj era have disappeared or been abandoned, except for the George Town area, home to the renovated fort.

Chennai lacks a single clear city center or obvious starting point for sightseeing, but the excellent metro system is far more practical for visitors than in other major Indian cities. The metropolis experiences the standard crowding, traffic congestion, and pollution issues, but visitors can minimize exposure to most of these challenges (aside from traffic) by lodging in developed regions where hotels adequately meet the needs of both domestic and foreign tourists.

Those seeking affordable lodging may want to consider the region of George Town, the most historic section of the city. Nearby, the suburbs of Egmore and Pudupet are conveniently situated near the two primary railway terminals and are connected to important parts of Chennai (and the airport) via the metro system. Heading southwest for several kilometers from George Town is Anna Salai (Mount Road). Along, or just off, this significant thoroughfare passing through Teynampet and other central Chennai suburbs are many mid-priced and high-end hotels as well as charming guesthouses in delightfully-named areas like Poes Garden and Thousand Lights, and also T Nagar.

A little further south, approximately halfway between George Town and the airport, Alwarpet is scattered with upscale hotels with spacious gardens and extended perspectives. While Chennai can boast the longest municipal beach (12km-long Marina Beach) in India, there is (unlike Mumbai) remarkably minimal lodging facing the Bay of Bengal, and only a few basic choices about 500m further inland in an area called Triplicane.

The Best Places to Stay in Chennai

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Best Area in Chennai for…

    • Best region in Chennai for seeing sights: George Town
      Within what could be called the city center near the Bay of Bengal, this region highlights some of Chennai’s modest historical sites, most dating to colonial rule. This incorporates Fort St. George, where the British colonialists initially established a garrison, now home to state legislature buildings, a worthwhile museum, and India’s oldest church. Accessible by metro and local and inter-city trains, this area has just a few low-cost guesthouses, but more notable are the quaint old-fashioned cafes along the narrow streets.
    • Thousand Lights is considered the premier shopping district in the city of Chennai, India.

The dominant structure in this inner urban suburban region is the world-renowned Express Avenue mall. It presents over 200 locations for consuming and shopping through 5 levels, including a massive food court and many globally recognized fast food outlets and coffee shops. Adding to the attraction is one of India’s biggest game arcades and a cinema complex that likewise presents Western movies. A few more economical and authentic handicraft stores are likewise in the general area.

    • Thousand Lights is also regarded as one of the best places for families in Chennai due to its variety of amenities and facilities.

This region is close to the inner-city attractions and convenient to the primary roadway Anna Salai (Mount Road) and the metro benefit which is extremely valuable to travelers. Importantly for families, most lodgings are set back from the activity and noise and inside strolling separation of the fabulous Express Avenue shopping center. This shopping center is home to a first-rate determination of stores and bistros, similarly as one of India’s greatest game corridors, numerous familiar fast food outlets, and a film complex that likewise offers some Western movies.

    • The top region in Chennai for cuisine & eateries is Egmore & Pudupet.

Most eating places – from fundamental street food stands to bistros in high-end lodgings – serve vegetarian dishes, but the variety remains extraordinary. Worth experimenting for sampling Indian cuisine are the thalis (fixed meals on steel plates), which are consistently economical, filling, and delicious. Chennai may not be as renowned for its food as Mumbai and Goa, but conventional snacks like idlis (steamed rice cakes with coconut chutney) and appams (rice pancakes with stew) are quite tasty. The roads around the adjoining inner-city suburbs of Egmore and Pudupet are lined with authentic spots to try Indian cuisine.

    • Premier Area in Chennai for Transportation: Egmore
      Both domestic and international airports serve Chennai more conveniently than most other Indian cities, uniquely connected to many suburbs by the excellent metro system. Two primary railway stations, Egmore and Central, located barely 1.5km apart in the inner Egmore area, also provide helpful transport hubs. (Egmore Station handles regional routes while trains from elsewhere in India typically call at Central.) Numerous cheap, sometimes unsavory, guesthouses cluster near these terminals, yet a few superior alternatives lie close by as well.
    • Best Area in Chennai for Nightlife: Thousand Lights
      In contrast to the lively bars and trendy nightclubs around the active city of Bengaluru, freely drinking alcohol in public areas is generally not customary for local residents of Tamil Nadu, so enjoying drinks or dances after dark primarily happens within luxurious hotels. Especially inviting is the colonial-style bar situated at the historic Taj Connemara hotel and upscale nightclub present at the neighboring Taj Club House hotel. Chennai serves as the base for the Tamil film industry, therefore viewing one of the abundant theaters provides a unique experience. The diversity of artistic and cultural occasions Chennai is renowned for also deserves exploring
    • Best Zone in Chennai for Atmosphere & Way of Life: George Town
      In the mid-seventeenth century, the British established their initial outpost in India at what is presently referred to as George Town, heralding over 300 years of imperial authority throughout the country. This location remains dominated by Fort St. George, which presently serves in part as a legislative building and museum, along with a few other remnants from the Raj era, such as St. Mary`s Church, which is additionally India`s oldest church. The other museums and temples that highlight Chennai`s renowned Tamil culture and pre-colonial history are disseminated and unfortunately not concentrated in any single specific area.
    • Most Romantic Locale in Chennai: George Town
      Chennai is a sizable industrial city not renowned by anyone as a place for honeymoons or sentimental escapes, especially thinking about the amazing national parks and delightful hillside towns elsewhere in the state. Very popular among locals and Indian travelers for strolling and admiring, but not suitable for swimming, the long Marina Beach has, remarkably, virtually nowhere to stay. Rather, just north of the beach, the historic region known as George Town faces the Bay of Bengal and offers some budget-friendly guesthouses (but nothing better).
    • Highly Recommended Starting Area in Chennai: Thyagaraya Nagar (T Nagar)
      The traffic, air pollution, climate, and crowds expected in one of India’s largest cities can get overwhelming even for those who have been to the country many times. With the exception of the traffic (which is heavy almost everywhere in Chennai), these issues can be minimized by staying in the area more commonly known as T Nagar. Several high-end and great-value hotels provide the sort of space, gardens, quiet rooms, and decent views rarely found elsewhere, and along the streets (some with footpaths) are several tempting cafés and familiar fast-food outlets.
    • Most Secure Area in Chennai: Poes Garden

Potential dangers that can be found in any Indian city can be significantly lessened by taking standard precautions and staying in a developed residential suburb located inner-city like Poes Garden, a quiet area of upscale housing away from traffic and slums. In reality, the main risk may simply be walking along sidewalks, which are often absent, or crossing the roadway. And always remember: pedestrians do not have the right of way in India, excluding (usually) at a red traffic light.

The 7 Best Neighborhoods in Chennai for Tourists

a blue and white swimming pool in front of a building

1. Thousand Lights

Just off Anna Salai (Mount Road) this interesting district partially surrounds the river within a central part of Chennai. Thousand Lights is convenient for most inner-city attractions and the very useful metro service, but for some, the main advantage is its proximity to the excellent Express Avenue mall. This offers five levels of places to shop and eat, including well-known fast-food outlets and a massive food court, as well as a cinema and one of India’s largest games arcades.

2. Poes Garden & Teynampet

These two suburbs border the main road, Anna Salai (Mount Road), traversing the inner city. Hotels facing this thoroughfare can be loud, and nearby facilities cater more to local residents than foreign visitors, but all hotels are conveniently located near the excellent metro system. Poes Garden is a calm residential zone adjoining Teynampet. The latter offers a more vibrant atmosphere, proximity to the metro and shops, and several impressive high-end hotels with noteworthy city views.

3. Egmore & Pudupet

These engaging (and frenzied) suburbs slightly southwest of George Town are practical to the two principal railway stations: the majestic colonial-era Egmore Station and the more substantial Central Station (only 1.5km apart). Both suburbs offer economical guesthouses and a handful of mid-range hotels, but these are generally for Indians instead of aliens. These adjoining areas are helpfully linked by metro to most of the inner-city attractions (as well as the airfield), and the streets are lined with welcoming restaurants, although the self-labeled ‘malls’ are just a relatively uninspiring assortment of shops.

4. Thyagaraya Nagar (T Nagar)

Known by all as simply T Nagar, this locale situated just west of Poes Garden and Teynampet has recently undergone significant road improvements (including adding walkways). It offers some luxurious yet reasonably priced lodgings along broad streets lined with renowned fast food outlets and so-called ‘malls’ (just modest collections of shops). T Nagar is more upmarket and westernized than most areas, so there are, for instance, an English-style pub and a couple health food stores.

  • Bushfire Flame Grill – award-winning restaurant inspired by Brazilian cuisine where servers slice generous portions of meat directly from large skewers rotating on spits. It is located in the nearby Pacific Cairns hotel, 200 meters towards the water.
  • Best Cheap/Moderate Hotel: Pebbles

5. George Town

Still retaining its colonial-era name, Chennai’s most historic area highlights the beautifully-renovated Fort St. George, the British Raj’s first outpost and now home to government buildings, a public museum, and India’s oldest place of worship. The narrow and busy streets are lined with market stalls and quaint old-fashioned eateries offering authentic Indian cuisine. There are no midrange hotels, let alone anything high-end, and some of the low-cost guesthouses are seedy.

Best Inexpensive/Moderate Hotel: Collection O 30033 Almas Chennai High Court

6. Alwarpet

This suburb lies conveniently around halfway between George Town (somewhat the city center) and the airport yet remains connected to much of the city (and airports) through the outstanding metro system. Hotels within the area of Alwarpet can offer spacious rooms, substantial gardens, and proper parking unavailable in downtown, and modern shopping options exist along the streets.

7. Marina (Kamaraj Salai) Beach & Triplicane

Chennai has the longest stretch of beach in India found within city limits. Not suitable for swimming (because of rips and pollution), it’s still picturesque and popular among locals and Indian tourists for strolling and enjoying street food from seaside vendors. However, unlike Mumbai, there is a lack of lodging anywhere near the beach, except for a few unremarkable guesthouses in Triplicane, approximately 500 meters inland.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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