InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort
East Coast Rd Nemelli Village, Perur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 603104
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Travel Month March, 2024
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Season Shoulder
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Stay Duration 2N
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Room Rathi Honeymoon Suite
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Package Bed & Breakfast (BB)
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Price / N 27,730 INR
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Final Bill 33,550.05 INR
– Upgraded from an East Coast Suite with Sea View to the Rathi Honeymoon Suite with Jacuzzi, thanks to InterContinental Ambassador perks.
– Redeemed the Ambassador complimentary weekend night
83.258 INR = 1 USDÂ
* All prices are inclusive of taxes. The final bill includes any additional charges for incidentals such as food and activities.
The InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort is a serene beachfront property blending modern luxury with South Indian temple-inspired architecture. Designed by CV Sydney, a firm part of Kerry Hill in Singapore, the resort’s concrete design initially feels industrial and austere, but as the day transitions into night, the temple-like ambiance with water features and subtle lighting brings warmth to the setting. With 106 rooms and suites, it is one of the few InterContinental hotels in India and a great luxury option for those visiting nearby Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This was our second time staying at this resort, with our first visit being in December, 2021. This time, we visited in early March, which is just after the best travel season (November to February). We drove from Bangalore with our 6-month-old baby and had booked the East Coast Suite with Sea View. Thanks to our InterContinental Ambassador perks, we were upgraded to the Rathi Honeymoon Suite with a jacuzzi. Our stay lasted two nights, one of which was redeemed as part of the Ambassador complimentary weekend night. The overall experience was quite enjoyable, with just a few minor issues that, if addressed, would have enhanced our stay even further.
Booking & Pre-Arrival Experience
Booking through the IHG website was smooth. However, securing the guaranteed upgrade under the InterContinental Ambassador program required a bit of follow-up with the IHG and hotel team, though they were helpful throughout the process.
Arrival & Check-In Experience
Upon arrival, the check-in process was quick and welcoming. We were greeted with a refreshing welcome drink and promptly escorted to our upgraded suite. The front desk staff was courteous, making sure we had everything we needed.
Accommodations
Our stay in the Rathi Honeymoon Suite with a Jacuzzi was delightful. The layout was unique, with the jacuzzi serving as the centerpiece of the suite. Upon entering, the living area was to the right, followed by the bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, sinks, and bathroom, all flowing naturally into one another. The jacuzzi could be accessed from the bathroom, making it a lovely addition for relaxation. Our baby enjoyed his first splash in the jacuzzi, adding to the memorable moments of our trip.
While the suite was spacious and naturally well-lit, the bedroom/sleeping area felt a tad bit small and enclosed compared to the other sections of the suite. Interestingly, the Classic Room felt more open and airy, despite being a standard category room. It almost seemed like the sleeping area in the suite was somewhat ignored in the overall design—smartly planned but not as well-utilized as the rest of the space.
We also faced an issue with the crib. Despite requesting one during the booking, the staff had overlooked the request. The metal crib provided upon arrival wasn’t in great condition, so we opted to co-sleep with our little one, which worked out fine.
On our previous visit, we stayed in a Classic Room, which was also spacious. For those looking for more luxurious accommodations, the Vilasa Suite with a private pool is the most premium option at this property.
Rati Suite / Rathi Honeymoon Suite – Room Tour
* On the website, the room is advertised as the Rathi Honeymoon Suite with Jacuzzi, but the nameplate on the property identifies it as the Rati Suite.
Resort Experience
InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort offers a well-maintained and serene retreat with a seamless blend of modern luxury and South Indian heritage. The property’s architectural design, featuring traditional temple-style water features, lush greenery, and open courtyards, adds to its tranquil ambiance.
Even though it’s not a massive property, one of its highlights is the private beach access. While the beachfront stretch is relatively small, it provides a peaceful and refreshing experience, especially in the early morning during sunrise. Walking along the shore as the sun rises over the Bay of Bengal is a truly serene way to start the day. However, given the limited space, the beach tends to get crowded in the evenings, particularly on weekends, making it less exclusive during peak hours. Additionally, the number of beach loungers is quite limited, which can make it challenging to find a spot to relax when the resort is busy.
The beachfront KoKoMMo Tiki Shack is a lovely spot to enjoy the sound of the waves while dining, offering a laid-back atmosphere with great seafood and refreshing drinks. The resort’s landscape, with its scenic walkways, ponds, and traditional elements, creates a calming environment, making it an ideal setting for a relaxing getaway.
Dining Experience
InterContinental Chennai has three main dining options: Tao of Peng, The Melting Pot, and KoKoMMo Tiki Shack. Â
The Melting Pot a multi-cuisine restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
KoKoMMo Tiki Shack A beachfront restaurant serving seafood for lunch and dinner. I highly recommend the Calamari Fritters; they are tender and fresh, unlike the rubbery versions you often find elsewhere.
Tao of Peng A Chinese restaurant open for lunch and dinner only on weekends. (Friday, Saturday & Sunday)
Club Lounge It is a beautifully designed space offering personalized service, light bites, and evening cocktails. However, it operates for limited hours, and even during those times, guests are often directed to the main restaurant, The Melting Pot. While the lounge itself is well-appointed, booking a room with Club Lounge access may not be worth it due to its inconsistent availability.
Traveling with an infant meant we had to plan our meals around nap schedules, which led us to rely heavily on in-room dining. We had been excited about Tao of Peng, a restaurant we loved from our previous visit. Although Tao of Peng dishes weren’t on the in-room dining menu, the chefs kindly made special arrangements to serve us our favorite dishes in the room. This gesture was highly appreciated.
The food at The Melting Pot was excellent. One standout dish was the Crispy Chilli Tofu, which was delightful during the weekend. Unfortunately, when we reordered the dish on Monday, it wasn’t the same, as the weekend chef was off-duty. The head chef, however, went out of his way to prepare the dish for us again, which we took on our journey to the next resort
Amenities & Activities
The resort offers limited activities, including morning yoga sessions and cultural entertainment in the evenings. The swimming pool, though not an infinity pool, is beautifully designed and evokes a temple tank with its central location and peaceful setting. The property’s overall design, inspired by South Indian temples, adds to the calm and relaxing atmosphere.
We didn’t participate in many activities due to traveling with an infant, but the staff’s accommodation for our needs made our stay very comfortable.
One of the highlights of the InterContinental Chennai is the Amrtam Spa, a luxurious facility that offers a variety of rejuvenating treatments. Specializing in both traditional Indian therapies and contemporary wellness practices, the spa provides a holistic approach to relaxation and well-being. Although we couldn’t indulge in the spa treatments during our recent stay, we enjoyed a relaxing therapy session during our previous visit.
Swimming Pool
Check-Out Experience
The check-out experience was smooth, and thanks to our InterContinental Ambassador membership, we were able to enjoy a late checkout at 4 PM. This allowed us to take our time before heading to our next stop, Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa, located on the same East Coast Road.
Areas for Improvement
While the overall experience was enjoyable, there are a few areas for improvement:
- Missed Crib Request: The staff missed our crib request during the booking, leading to a delay in providing one. The metal crib provided wasn’t in the best condition.
Limited In-Room Dining Variety: The in-room dining menu could benefit from more variety, especially considering the resort’s beachfront location. Expanding seafood options would be a welcome enhancement.
Closed Lounge: The resort lounge is delightful, but it was closed during our stay due to low guest traffic, even though it is meant to stay open until midnight. The duty manager kindly arranged for it to be opened for us and ensured we were served everything we desired, which we truly appreciated.
Towels and Linen Quality: The towels provided were not clean and appeared soiled. Also, the bed linen could benefit from better inspection and proper washing to ensure a pristine experience.
Overall Experience
Our stay at InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort was a wonderful coastal escape, offering a blend of luxury and South Indian charm. The thoughtful upgrade to the Rathi Honeymoon Suite, the staff’s warm hospitality, and the serene surroundings made our visit memorable. While there were minor hiccups, such as the crib situation and the inconsistency in food preparation, the overall experience was delightful. The resort remains one of our favorite destinations along the Coromandel Coast, perfect for those seeking a luxurious retreat near the cultural hub of Mahabalipuram.
If you’re planning a trip to Mahabalipuram and seeking a luxurious stay, be sure to check out our post – Coastal Luxury: The 4 Best Beach Resorts Near Mahabalipuram, India
