The Residency Towers Chennai. Discover Deluxe Living In Wonderful South India

Bindu Gopal Rao discovers The Residency Towers Chennai as a property that is the best way to explore the city with a luxe stay.

Located about 35 minutes from Chennai International Airport, the drive to the property is a breeze, giving me a sneak peek into the city’s new-meets-old feel. The skyline has both modern buildings and heritage ones, which is, in essence, how the city is modern yet traditional.

The Setting

The property is in T Nagar, the bustling heart of the city, and as my car pulls into the driveway, I cannot help but admire the expansive space that the property occupies. The hotel team gives me a traditional welcome, and I notice that the reception is large and has a traditional look and feel with granite flooring, artificial palm trees and comfortable seating.

The Rooms

The property has 174 guestrooms and suites across 10 categories. These include Premier Rooms, Premier Highrise Rooms, Premier Kitchenette Rooms, Premier Family Rooms, Premier Suites, Club Rooms, Club Highrise Rooms, Club 2 Bay Suite, Club Suite, and Presidential Suite. My room is on the sixth floor and is a club suite. The spacious room is expansive, with a generous 762 sq. ft of space.

Done up in hues of beige and cream, the room has a kitchenette, dining area, living space, powder room, minibar, marble baths, and huge windows with views of the city. There is a large dresser area that has space for the luggage and wardrobe and a large bathroom. The bedroom is spacious and has a floor-to-ceiling window that gives a bird’s-eye view of the vicinity. A bowl of fruits, a selection of assorted pastries and a handwritten note from Rakesh Parameswaran, Director of Operations, add a nice personal touch to the space.

The room controls for blinds, curtains, air conditioning, television, lights, and more are all via an iPad. A Toto Neorest (EWC) and Nespresso coffee maker are other room highlights here. This room also comes with access to the steam and sauna at the in-house Aavraa Wellness Centre.

The Dining

The hotel takes its food very seriously, and even the buffets have a well-thought-out and tasty selection of food. The all-day diner on the lobby level in Carnaby is where you can start your day with freshly brewed coffee, made from the finest beans, and sample an array of Indian and international fare for breakfast.

I had all my lunches here, and each day was a treat – from thoughtful live counters to a spread that was so extensive that there was everything that one could possibly want. The salads and live chaat counters as well as the starters and even a pizza station that dishes out fresh sourdough pizzas are a must try.

For dinner make sure to book a table at SKY. Located on the 20th floor with spectacular views of the city, this is where you can choose from a curated set of dishes from different Asian cultures. Whether they are Indian specialities (yes, Indian dishes are on the menu, being part of Asia) or selections from Southeast Asia, each dish is well thought out.

The alfresco Seaside Terrace has a Teppanyaki station as well. Aqua Terrace on the western side of the restaurant has a water body overlooking the city. With seasonal specials also on the menu, some standout dishes include the Hot Pepper Paan Spinach Salad, which is a melange of fresh baby spinach, olive oil, chopped cloves of garlic, green hot chilli peppers or green peppercorns, soy sauce, lemon juice, roasted sesame seeds and Parmesan cheese and has grilled chicken for non-vegetarians.

A standout dish that I recommend you definitely try is the golden turmeric spice broth, a vibrant golden soup with the earthy warmth of fresh turmeric, ginger, garlic, and a dash of coconut milk. Keeping the culinary ethos of local with a global outlook are dishes like the Tuber & Ivy Dumpling, which has a flavourful mixture of tubers and ivy gourd, a tender green vegetable common in South and Southeast Asian cuisines. With bao, sushi, sashimi, ramen bowls, and more, this is Asia on your plate.

At their newest dining outpost, Triniti, a jazz-inspired bar spread over two levels, you can indulge in cocktails and small bites. Jazz Alley, one of the cocktails here, celebrates Chennai’s jazz heritage, pairing hibiscus and coriander with tequila and lime, clarified with tofu and topped with ice art.

A thoughtful selection of starters and a limited main course and dessert menu make this place a night to remember. Ajeeth Janardhanan, Culinary Director, The Residency Hotels, says, “We wanted to shine the spotlight on local ingredients but make it palatable to a global audience. This is how we have chosen most dishes on the menu at Triniti.”

Do More

When you are here, I suggest you take an early morning walk to explore the sights and sounds of how the city wakes up. You will see many locals walking with their pets, having tea, and chatting with each other. It’s a good way to start your day and whet your appetite for the scrumptious buffet breakfast spread to follow.

For a slice of local culture, head to the Dakshinchitra Museum, which showcases arts from the South of India. Head to the older part of the city, Mylapore, and pay obeisance at the Kapaleeshwar Temple, one of the oldest and most iconic temples in Chennai. Do not forget to book an appointment at the in-house spa, Aavraa Wellness.

This is also where you can experience flotation therapy (like floating in Jordan’s Dead Sea) as well as signature treatments like Laamu Balinese Bliss, Deep Sleep Twin Harmony Ritual and Ashwagandha. Rakesh Parameswaran, Director of Operations, The Residency Towers Chennai, perfectly summarises why you must stay here on your next visit to Chennai.

“Located in Chennai’s central business district, The Residency Towers is the ideal base to explore Chennai, whether you are here for business or pleasure. Our in-house dining options and spa will ensure you have a great time when you are here.” I certainly couldn’t agree more.