Family Trip to Chennai: Rooms, Packing and Planning

Which room suits a family?

The hotel's Triple Bed Room is built for three guests, with a comfort double bed and a single bed, a sofa seating area and a wall-mounted TV. It costs Rs 2,500 per room per night. The Suite Room is also Rs 2,500 but sleeps two, with a seating area beside the bed, so it suits a couple more than a family. Twin Bed and Double Deluxe rooms sleep two.

Rooms are for two to three guests. If your family is larger than three, plan for two rooms and ask the desk about availability and adjoining options.

What does the hotel offer families?

Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning in every room, 24-hour room service, free parking and luggage assistance are all listed. Check-in is at 1 PM and check-out at 11 AM. Hourly booking is available on request, which helps if your train arrives early and children need a rest before a day out.

The rooftop garden terrace has lawn seating and parasol tables. Ask the desk about timings and whether it is suitable for children at the hour you want. Keep an eye on children on any rooftop.

If you are travelling by car, free on-site parking is listed. If you are arriving by train with children and heavy bags, ask the desk about luggage assistance by multilingual staff.

What should you pack?

Chennai is warm and humid for much of the year. Light cotton clothes, a hat and sunscreen cover most trips. Wikipedia describes April to June as the hottest period at 35 to 40 degrees C, while the northeast monsoon from October to December brings the heaviest rain, so add a rain jacket and a waterproof bag cover.

Pack medicines, copies of ID, a power bank and snacks for children. Keep one small bag with documents and valuables that never leaves your hands.

Footwear deserves a mention. Temples and some homes require shoes to be removed, so slip-on sandals save time. Keep one pair of closed shoes for walking at the fort or in the museum.

If your family includes elderly members, pack any regular medicines in the original packaging with a note of the dosage, and keep the prescription handy. Bring a light shawl or jacket for air-conditioned trains.

• Light cotton clothes and a thin layer for air-conditioned trains.
• Rain jacket or compact umbrella for October to December.
• Sandals that are easy to remove for temples.
• Basic medicines, hand sanitiser and sealed water.
• A cloth bag for shopping and wet items.

What can children enjoy?

The Government Museum in Egmore has a children's museum with exhibits on dolls, science, transport and technology, according to Wikipedia, and a large bronze gallery. Marina Beach is a fun evening walk, but swimming is strictly prohibited because of strong undercurrents, and the beach records the highest drowning rate in Tamil Nadu. Keep children well away from the waves.

I could not verify current opening hours for either place, so check before you go. Plan one main outing a day, since children tire in the heat.

How should you handle trains and travel days?

Travelling with children changes the plan. Check your station on the ticket, arrive early and carry a small bag of snacks. The Indian Railways page lists half the free luggage allowance for children aged 5 to 12. Chennai Central has 17 platforms, so give yourself time.

Chennai Central is about 10 to 15 minutes and Egmore about 10 minutes from the hotel. Book a cab through the desk for the day you leave, and keep the driver's number.

Plan a flexible day. Children cope better with a fixed rest period after lunch than with a long, unbroken sightseeing schedule. A mid-afternoon return to the hotel and a quiet hour in an air-conditioned room is not a waste of time, it is what keeps the evening pleasant.

If you are travelling with a baby or toddler, carry what you need for the journey, including milk, food, diapers and a change of clothes. Ask the front desk what can be arranged through room service at odd hours.

Teach older children the hotel's name and your phone number, and show them the landmarks near the hotel, such as Anna Salai, so they can ask for help if separated. In crowded places such as Marina Beach or railway stations, agree a meeting point beforehand and keep younger children close.

Planning your budget

A Triple Bed Room at Rs 2,500 per night is a common choice for three guests, and the Double Deluxe at Rs 1,600 is the lowest rate. These are per room per night and should be reconfirmed, including taxes, when you book. Call +91 73059 49923 or WhatsApp the same number with your dates and the number of guests.