BACKGROUND Leading Indian hotel operator, ITC-Welcomgroup, is Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ franchisee for its Luxury Collection and Sheraton brands in the subcontinent. The portfolio currently consists of 16 properties in the Luxury Collection and six properties in the Sheraton stable.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Sheraton Park features two wings – the Park wing and the Tower, which was constructed later – and two lobbies to go with each. Those staying in the Tower have to pass through the perennially busy main building lobby to get to their area. As with all deluxe hotels throughout India, anyone entering has to submit their belongings to the scanner. But the procedure is swift, efficient and so politely conducted that I found it to be no problem to pass my bag and purchases through the machine each time I returned from the day’s appointments. Newly arrived guests will always experience the traditional greeting, consisting of a garland being placed around one’s neck and being daubed with vermillion paste between the eyebrows, considered the seat of wisdom in Hinduism. Returning the namaskar – where palms are placed together and placed before the face – with one of your own usually elicits smiles all around.
WHERE IS IT? Due to a late night flight from Hong Kong, I encountered little traffic on the trip from the airport to the hotel, arriving in about 30 minutes. It’s an entirely different scenario during the day when the congestion builds up, but a skilful driver will always find the good shortcuts, lessening the pain of being stalled in a jam. TTK Road, where the hotel is located, is a major thoroughfare and close to the US consulate general, Cosmopolitan Golf Club and the popular Santhome Beach. It is located in the posh residential Boat Club neighbourhood with Apollo Hospitals minutes away.
ROOM FACILITIES There are five room categories (see fact file). Executive club rooms in the Park Wing were renovated in 2006 and imbued with a sleeker feel, a difference that clearly shows when compared with the more ornate but larger rooms in the Tower. All units, however, appear to be well maintained and come with Sheraton’s trademark Sweet Sleeper Bed. Amenities shared across the tiers include cable TV, pay movies, flat-screen TV, radio/alarm clock, in-room safe, iron/ironing board and Forrest Essential toiletries. The suites are equipped with DVD players and massage chairs. Internet access is charged – approximately US$13 for 24 hours, excluding taxes.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS At On the Rocks – the hotel’s latest F&B attraction – diners are invited to have drinks and tapas while being serenaded by a violinist before proceeding to the second floor to experience grilling their main course on pre-heated lava stones. Aprons and chef hats are provided. Dakshin (from the Sanskrit, meaning “south”), which has been replicated throughout the ITC chain, started in this hotel and continues to be an excellent showcase for the fiery cuisines of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu states. Italian staples are available from the 24-hour Cappuccino, while the Residency lays on an extensive buffet in an Edwardian atmosphere. The hotel also has Westminster bar and Irish pub/nightclub Dublin.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There are function rooms in both wings, with the Park taking up to 900 people, and the Tower accommodating up to 120 people. All are equipped with wifi.
LEISURE FACILITIES There is an outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre. A grooming salon, which caters to male and female guests in separate wings, provides a variety of treatments. I highly recommend the extremely soothing oil head massage; I suggest to request one of the male masseurs, who in my opinion, seem to have a better touch.
Margie T Logarta
VERDICT Some work still needs to be done in refreshing the room product, especially the suites. And we hear that there are plans afoot to do so. Aesthetics aside, we were impressed by the service which was consistently attentive to guests’ needs, particularly in the dining outlets.
HOW MANY ROOMS? The hotel has a total of 281 rooms and consists of two wings. The Park Wing has 139 rooms – 122 executive club rooms, 12 Park Suites, four Luxury Suites and one presidential suite. The Tower Wing has a total of 142 rooms – 123 Sheraton Tower rooms, 17 Tower Suites and two presidential suites.
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS The Sweet Sleeper Bed delivered on its promise and the internet, once the applicable details provided were entered, ran without a hitch. Note, all guests are charged for internet regardless of room type.
PRICE An internet rate for a midweek stay in September starts from HK$1,510 (US$194).
CONTACT 132 TTK Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600018, tel +91 44 2499 4101, www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton
