About this hotel
General information
The Leela Palace Chennai is a modern palace on the Adyar seafront, looking out across the Bay of Bengal. It stands in 4.8 acres of gardens and lawns, and its classical architecture and interiors take their cue from the grand palatial houses of the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu: marble corridors, a sweeping staircase beneath crystal chandeliers, carved wood and a collection of contemporary Indian and international art that can be explored on a guided walk.
There are 325 rooms and suites in twelve categories, looking out to sea, over the pool or across the city. Under The Leela Palace Service, club and suite guests have a personal butler who can be reached before arrival. The hotel is best known for its restaurants — Chinese China XO, Indian Jamavar and the bay-view Spectra — and for the lighting of torches each evening at dusk to live Carnatic music. The Cult India boutique sells Indian art and handmade crafts.
Location
The hotel sits on the Adyar seafront where the river meets the Bay of Bengal, close to Chennai’s business district. Marina Beach is 3.3 km away and the old Mylapore quarter, with its temples and narrow lanes, about 3 km; the concierge arranges outings with licensed guides to Mylapore, Mahabalipuram and Puducherry. Chennai airport is 16 km away, 20 to 35 minutes by car depending on traffic. Transfers run in the hotel’s own BMW 5 and 7 Series cars and are included for club rooms and suites, with a BMW 7 Series for the Chairman Suite.
Spa
The Spa has 12 treatment rooms, including a couple’s suite, plus a steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi open daily from morning until late evening; the salon, on the lower lobby level, offers hair, nail and beauty services. Every session begins with a questionnaire and a consultation with the therapist, then moves on to massages, facials, body treatments, Swedish massage, scalp massage, and scrubs and wraps made with Indian herbs. The four-hour Blissful Escape ritual combines a full-body exfoliation, a nourishing wrap, an essential-oil massage and a head massage. Personalised Ayurvedic programmes can be arranged, and the Aujasya by The Leela menus carry wellness eating into the hotel’s restaurants.
Sports & leisure
Guests have a swimming pool, a fitness studio, a steam room and a sauna. The hotel also runs its own programme of experiences:
- a 45–60-minute guided walk through the hotel’s art collection, complimentary for guests;
- the evening torch-lighting ceremony: a traditional horn sounds, musicians play Carnatic music on a stage that seems to float on the water, and regional snacks are served;
- the Peacock Trail, a guided walk through the old Mylapore quarter, where Chennai’s arts, crafts and customs are still alive;
- a market tour with a chef — spices, vegetables, seafood — followed by a masterclass or cook-off in the hotel’s professional kitchen;
- a mixology session with the bartenders of The Library Bar;
- a day at the DakshinaChitra open-air museum with a guide and a picnic breakfast: relocated traditional houses from across South India, artisans at work, pottery workshops and performances in the open-air theatre;
- surfing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking off the coast with instructors from the partner school Bay of Life, accredited by the Surfing Federation of India.
Restaurants & bars
Three restaurants, a bar, a lobby lounge and a patisserie:
- China XO — Chinese cooking with Cantonese classics: a dim sum station, a wood-fired Peking duck oven, a Chinese tea counter, three private dining rooms and an alfresco terrace over the bay, plus a Sunday dim sum brunch;
- Jamavar — Indian dishes from across the subcontinent beneath a gilded ceiling and Turkish chandeliers: the signature dal and raan, galouti kebabs, fish curry, biryanis and the Jashn-e-Jamavar Sunday brunch;
- Spectra — the all-day restaurant, looking over the Bay of Bengal: seven live-cooking islands, a breakfast buffet of Indian, Asian, Japanese and Continental dishes, themed street-food and seafood nights, a midnight menu and an à la carte menu around the clock;
- The Library Bar — a bar in shades of blue that echo the water outside, pouring single malts, regionally inspired cocktails and wines from Tuscany and Bordeaux, with tapas;
- The Lobby Lounge — coffee, light meals and afternoon tea with scones, with views of the sea;
- The Cake Shop — handmade chocolates, French pastries, cakes and breads baked with European flours.
Swimming
The swimming pool is overlooked by the Grand Palace Pool View rooms, and the poolside and the hotel’s lawns also host private events. There is no direct beach access: the hotel stands right above the water at the mouth of the Adyar, with open views over the Bay of Bengal.
Rooms
The 325 rooms and suites carry Chettinad architectural touches, Indian interiors and artwork; even the smallest rooms measure 50 m². Club rooms and suites include the Royal Club floor, with food presentations through the day, afternoon tea, cocktail hours and a billiards room, as well as butler service, BMW airport transfers and express check-in.
A Sony high-definition TV with a Blu-ray player, an IP phone, high-speed wireless internet, an electronic safe, an ergonomic mattress and a pillow menu, a gourmet corner with drinks and snacks, a tea and coffee maker, a bathroom with mood lighting, a separate shower and tub and Tishya by The Leela toiletries, a welcome drink, evening turndown and 24-hour in-room dining.
Presidential Suite
The hotel’s largest suite, styled after the grand houses of Chettinad, with its own gym and spa. A personal butler looks after the stay.
Chairman Suite
A ninth-floor suite with a living room, bedroom, powder room, study, kitchenette, a dining area for ten, and its own gym and spa. Guests are driven from the airport in a BMW 7 Series and checked in express.
Royal Suite – 2 Bedrooms
Two bedrooms, a living room, a dining table, a workstation and a walk-in wardrobe, with views of the city or the sea. Sleeps six.
Royal Suite – 1 Bedroom
A living room with a dining area, a bedroom with a king-size bed and a walk-in wardrobe, a powder room and panoramic sea views. Sleeps four.
Premier Suite
A suite with Indian character: a bedroom with a four-poster king-size bed, a living room with a low traditional diwan, a powder room, a walk-in wardrobe, a dining area and a kitchenette with a fridge and washing machine, looking out to sea. Sleeps four.
Executive Suite
A sea-facing two-bay suite with a living room, a bedroom with a king-size bed, a powder room and a walk-in wardrobe. Sleeps four.
Premier Club Room
A spacious room with uninterrupted views of the Bay of Bengal, a king-size bed and a separate workstation, with butler service, Royal Club access and airport transfers. Sleeps four.
Royal Club Sea View Room
A room looking out over the bay, with Chettinad touches, artwork, a king-size bed and Royal Club privileges. Sleeps four.
Royal Club Room
A room with large windows over the Chennai skyline, a king-size bed and Royal Club privileges. Sleeps four.
Grand Palace Sea View Room
A room with an uninterrupted sea view, a work table and armchairs; a king-size bed or twin beds. Sleeps four.
Grand Palace Pool View Room
A room overlooking the swimming pool, with a work table and armchairs; a king-size bed or twin beds. Sleeps four.
Grand Palace Room
A room with a panoramic city view, a work table and armchairs; a king-size bed or twin beds. Sleeps four.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.