Business Trip to Central Chennai: A Practical Anna Salai Guide

Why base a business trip on Anna Salai?

Anna Salai, or Mount Road, has been a commercial street for well over a century. Wikipedia lists Spencer Plaza, the LIC Building and commercial hubs such as Teynampet and Saidapet along it, and notes that government offices cluster near Fort St George at its northern end. The Chennai Metro runs along the road's median, which gives a traffic-proof way to cover distance during the working day.

For a short trip, a central base saves hours. Hotel Royal Park is on Perumal Mudali Street, EB Link Road, off Anna Salai, about 10 to 15 minutes from Chennai Central and about 10 minutes from Egmore in normal traffic.

What does the hotel offer a working traveller?

We offer free Wi-Fi throughout, air conditioning in every room, a flat-screen TV, 24-hour room service, a front desk, free on-site parking and luggage assistance. Rooms are priced per room per night: Double Deluxe at Rs 1,600, Super Deluxe and Twin Bed at Rs 1,800, and Triple Bed and Suite at Rs 2,500. Rates should be reconfirmed, including taxes, when you book.

For a business centre, meeting room, restaurant or laundry service, please ask reception when you call. Ask the desk what is possible for printing or other needs, and plan to hold meetings at client offices or other venues.

Which room suits which kind of trip?

For one traveller, the Double Deluxe Room is the most economical and sleeps two. The Super Deluxe Room is a larger room with an armchair, which is useful if you want to work from a chair rather than the bed. Colleagues travelling together can take the Twin Bed Room, with two single beds for two guests. The Suite Room has a seating area beside the bed and the most space of any category.

Ask the desk about desk space and sockets for a particular room before you book.

If you expect to take calls, check signal strength in the room at check-in and ask the desk about the Wi-Fi if you need a stable connection. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but ask the desk about speeds if you plan video calls.

• Solo, budget: Double Deluxe at Rs 1,600.
• Solo, more space: Super Deluxe at Rs 1,800 with an armchair.
• Two colleagues: Twin Bed Room at Rs 1,800.
• Longer stay or client calls: Suite Room at Rs 2,500 with seating.

How do you get around during the day?

The metro is a sensible choice between points on Anna Salai or towards the airport, with fares from Rs 10 to Rs 50 and service from about 5 AM to 11 PM, according to Wikipedia. Government offices near Fort St George and the historic Ripon Building, the headquarters of Greater Chennai Corporation near Central, are in the northern part of the city.

For other trips use cabs. Our front desk can arrange cabs and airport taxis, which is handy for early meetings. Always leave time for traffic, since Anna Salai carries over 183,000 vehicles a day.

How do you handle early flights and late meetings?

Check-in is at 1 PM and check-out at 11 AM. If your meeting is at 9 AM and you land at 6 AM, call +91 73059 49923 and ask about hourly booking on request, so you can wash and change before work. If your meeting ends after check-out, ask whether luggage can be stored and consider a short booking for a rest before a late train or flight.

On the evening before an early departure, settle your bill and book your cab. A calm morning is worth more than a few minutes of sleep.

A few habits help a short work trip. Share your hotel address and phone number with colleagues. Save the metro station names you plan to use. Keep a charged power bank. Ask the desk early about breakfast and late-night options, since we have 24-hour room service.

If your trip includes dealing with government offices, carry original ID and photocopies, and remember that many government complexes have security checks and fixed office hours. I could not verify the hours of specific offices, so check with them directly.

After work: a place to unwind

The rooftop garden terrace, with lawn seating, parasol tables and city views, is the hotel's signature feature. The desk can tell you about timings. After a day of meetings in traffic, a quiet evening on the lawn is a pleasant change. Food is a separate question, so ask what is on the room-service menu or choose a nearby place.