Getting Around Anna Salai (Mount Road) from Your Hotel

What is Anna Salai, and why do people still say Mount Road?

Anna Salai is the official name of one of Chennai's best-known roads. Many residents and visitors still call it Mount Road, and you will hear both. For a visitor it hardly matters: the two names refer to the same long, busy stretch that runs through the centre of the city.

Hotel Royal Park is on Perumal Mudali Street, EB Link Road, off Anna Salai (Mount Road), Chennai 600002. That puts you on a side street close to the main road rather than directly in its noise.

Locals will tell you that the trick to Mount Road is to travel against the flow and avoid peak hours when you can. A late breakfast followed by a mid-morning meeting beats an early start that gets stuck in the first wave of traffic. Ask the desk what the road is doing before you leave, since they speak to guests all day and hear about every jam.

Why is it a useful base for visitors?

Because so much happens along or near it. Offices, shops and services cluster around Anna Salai, and both of the city's major railway stations are a short ride away. The hotel lists Chennai Central (MGR Central) at about 10 to 15 minutes and Egmore at about 10.

For a business traveller, that means a short ride to many meetings. For a rail traveller, it means a calm bed close to the platform.

How do you get around?

Cabs are the dependable choice for most visitors. The hotel lists cabs and tours, including airport taxis and private cabs arranged at the desk, so you can ask for a car for a specific time. For short hops, auto-rickshaws are common in Chennai.

The metro runs along parts of Anna Salai, with stations such as Government Estate and LIC on the route. Look at the operator's current map and timings before you plan around it, since lines and services change. If you have a car, the hotel offers free parking on site.

• Cab: best for luggage, airport trips and late nights.
• Metro: good for a quick run along the main corridor if you travel light.
• Auto-rickshaw: handy for short distances; agree the arrangement first.
• Own car: free parking at the hotel.

When is traffic at its worst?

Typical city patterns apply. Weekday mornings and evenings are the slowest, and rain makes everything slower. If you have a fixed appointment, aim to arrive early and use the wait to catch your breath. I will not give timings that change by season or by roadworks; ask the desk on the day, as they know the road conditions.

Chennai is also hot and humid for much of the year, so a cab with air conditioning is often worth it over a long walk.

What is the hotel itself like to come back to?

Rooms are air conditioned with free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV. There are five categories, from the Double Deluxe Room at Rs 1,600 to the Suite Room at Rs 2,500 per night, per room, with taxes to be reconfirmed. The signature feature is the rooftop garden terrace with lawn seating and parasol tables, which gives you a quiet spot above the traffic.

Many guests like the contrast: a busy road below, a calm lawn above.

What is it like to stay on a busy road?

Anna Salai is a working road, and the surrounding area has the energy of one. You will hear traffic, you will see crowds, and you will find that most things you need are close. The hotel sits on Perumal Mudali Street, which gives some distance from the main flow, and the rooms are air conditioned, so you can close the door on the day.

If quiet matters to you, mention it when you book, since the desk can tell you what is available. And remember the rooftop: a lawn with parasol tables and city views is a particularly effective answer to a busy street.

For visitors who dislike driving in congested areas, the better plan is to leave the car in the free on-site parking and use cabs for the day.

How should you plan your first day?

Check in from 1:00 PM, ask the desk about cabs for your first appointment and drop your bags. If you arrive earlier, hourly booking is available on request.

Call or WhatsApp +91 73059 49923 with your dates and plans, and the desk at Hotel Royal Park will help you get started.