Hyatt Regency Chennai, stands tall on the Anna Salai (Mount Road). A hotel that is centrally located in Teynampet and is merely a 20 minute drive from the Anna International Airport and the IT corridor. It enjoys proximity to key governmental institutions, consulates, corporate hubs and prime residential areas. A building that was destined to be a luxury hotel, but actually waited a whole decade to be one. It was a place that was called Abbotsbury and used by the elite for their banquet meeting facilities. Today it is a legend.
Meeting with Sunjae Sharma, the then GM of Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s highly anticipated landmark property in South India, Hyatt Regency Chennai proved to be an interesting experience in itself. An industry veteran who is now the Vice President India Operations.
As one enters into the space the whole facade of the lobby reminds one of a huge area filled with a honeycomb. A refined atmosphere resonating with art, ambience and contemporary simplicity, a sun-filled atrium style hotel it feels like a testament to Hyatt’s design sensibilities. The hotel exudes an understated style with muted colors and clean lines.
A mention of the art installations at the Hyatt Regency cannot be ignored. Namita Saraf, and Rajiv Sethi, a noted architect had founded beehives in the original structure, so they decided to show that the bees had found ample nectar in the concrete jungle. Thus depicting the symbiotic relation a bee ha with nature and what we as human beings should aspire to have with nature, a relationship that is mutually nurturing.
The art has been conceptualized around the old Indian axiom of Madhu, Kriti and Vriti. Over 40 prominent national and international artists have worked on the art installations in the hotel. The Lobby Lounge, the 24 hour lounge is set amidst the indoor green landscaping under the spectacular hotel atrium. It is the ideal backdrop for relaxed conversations and business meetings. Water bodies and trees dot the area.
From the lobby itself the guests can access the three specialty restaurants. The Spice Market, the hotel’s all-day-dining buffet restaurant features five live interactive kitchens across a massive space of over 9000 sq ft. Each of the five live kitchens specializes in specific culinary genres within the Indian comfort food landscape.
The Tandoor Kitchen offers a wide variety of non-vegetarian and vegetarian food. The Stove Kitchen serves a variety of curries, dals, crisp dosas, pongal, et al. and the Chaat Kitchen dishes out popular chaats along with cold cuts and an extensive array of salads.
The Beverage Island enthralls diners with mocktails and juices ranging from the classics to the contemporary, and the Desert Island features an array of indulgent desserts. The Indian Spice Market depicts the enigma and brilliance of an Indian market interspersed with colorful characters beautifully sculpted by George K, and vivid canvases by Alexis Kersey. ‘Stix’ the Asian restaurant welcomes one with the sound of iron woks clanging across a bustling open kitchen and jade green accents. It is punctuated with a largely chrome and deep brown decor and long community tables. The atmosphere encourages a sense of deep bonhomie.
Focaccia on the other hand exalts the Italian way of life through its trattoria style of dining. Beautiful rustic ceramic mosaic floors set against the quaint feel of brick laid walls. Wooden chandeliers, ivory candles and traditional Italian artifacts all add to the Italian odyssey.
The lounge bar 365 A.S. has a surprisingly avant-garde look with a long island bar counter and individual deep sofas to lounge and relax in. The space also features Victorian style mini chandeliers and kitschy art handpicked from a myriad of antique shops to give it a unique personality. The Gourmet deli, Biscotti features organic art where the art has created beatific art pieces made of natural elements. It adds personality and character to the display of gourmet.
The floor above houses the ‘Siddh Spa and Fitness Centre’ and was soft launched recently. The Fitness Centre, with its dedicated team of personal trainers is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for strength and cardio training. The personal trainers also provide customized training programmes for guests following a fitness assessment test. Hotel guests and Fitness Centre members can also enjoy the Siddh Spa’s wet area facilities and the outdoor sports and leisure pool.
The Regency Ball Room which is an ideal venue for weddings and special events is a pillar-less ballroom with an 18 foot high ceiling, and is divisible into two soundproof sections. The ballroom has a dedicated entrance at the main porch and a spacious pre-function area. The Abbotsbury, a 4454 sq ft venue can accommodate up to 450 guests a theatre style setting. A spacious underground parking area makes it the ideal location for accommodation, conferences, seminars or exhibitions in Chennai.
With a 327-room inventory, the hotel has some of the largest standard guest rooms in the city. They follow an understated style leaning towards a more utility based approach, with an open design incorporated across the spaces. Each room features the state of the art technology, an LCD TV, a separate work desk and mood lighting. The spa inspired bathrooms are spacious with an island style counter and separate areas with rain shower heads and a deep soak bathtub for a rejuvenating bath.
Sight Seeing
Being so close to the city’s business district, shopping, and most popular sightseeing venues, the Hyatt Regency has become the hotel choice for the discerning traveler. The hotel keeps in mind the fact that Chennai is the seat of culture in South India, and insists that their guests enjoy a tryst with their ‘Story Trails’. This PR exercise enables guests to explore the inner tourist in themselves.
The Peacock Trail is an enjoyable walk through Mylapore, with a visit to the Shiva Temple, introducing one to a dash of tradition stories about local life, Gods and demons. Breakfast at Murugan Idli completes the trail
The Mystic Trail takes one into the occult practices, and beliefs in the supernatural, to ancient sciences like Yoga and Ayurveda.
The Jewelry Trail helps one to peep into the making of exquisite hand crafted jewelry, and discover the many myths that lie in the craft.
The Dancer’s Trail takes one into Chennai that presents through its dances, a story of the City’s life.
The Bazaar Trail took me into crowded markets, narrow lanes, chaotic traffic, puddles of filth majestic buildings, fascinating history, noise and exuberance, all through the streets of George Town.
And not to miss the Steeple Chase, where one can learn about Chennai’s Christian History, influenced by the very same people who brought it here-the English, the Portuguese, the Armenians and the Scottish.
Previously published in the Sindhian
Image Credits : Maya Lalchandani, Hyatt Regency
