BACKGROUND ITC Welcomgroup is Starwood’s franchisee for its Luxury Collection and Sheraton brands in the subcontinent. The portfolio consists of 16 Luxury Collection properties and six properties in the Sheraton stable.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? The Sheraton Park has two wings – the Park wing and the Tower, which was constructed later – and each has its own lobby, although if you are staying in the Tower you will have to pass through the busy main building’s lobby to get there.
WHERE IS IT? On TTK Road, a major thoroughfare close to the US consulate general. The hotel sits in the posh residential Boat Club neighbourhood, with Apollo Hospitals minutes away. It’s 30 minutes from the airport, traffic permitting.
ROOM FACILITIES Executive Club rooms in the Park wing were renovated in 2006 and are imbued with a sleeker feel than the more ornate yet larger rooms in the Tower. All seem well maintained and come with Sheraton’s Sweet Sleeper bed, flatscreen TVs, radio/alarm clocks, safes and Forrest Essential toiletries. Suites have DVD players and massage chairs. High-speed internet access costs Rs 600 (£8) for 24 hours. Tower guests benefit from a dedicated lounge and breakfast room, and butler service.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS At On the Rocks, the hotel’s latest offering, diners have drinks and tapas on the ground level then head to the second floor to grill their main course on pre-heated lava stones. Dakshin restaurant, which has been replicated throughout the ITC Welcomgroup chain, started in this hotel and serves excellent fiery regional cuisine. There are two other eateries, a British pub (Westminster) and an Irish pub/nightclub (Dublin).
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES The main hall measures 836 sqm and can host 800 guests for a reception, and there are three small boardrooms.
LEISURE FACILITIES There is an outdoor pool, a fitness centre and a grooming salon.
VERDICT Work needs to be done on refreshing the rooms, and there are plans afoot to do so. Service was very attentive, and On the Rocks expands the international standard of dining options in Chennai.
Fact file
HOW MANY ROOMS? 281 in total. The Park wing has 139 – 122 Executive Club rooms, 12 Park suites, four Luxury suites and one Presidential suite. The Tower wing has 142 – 123 Sheraton Tower rooms, 17 Tower suites and two Presidential suites.
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS The Sweet Sleeper bed and the reliable internet connection.
PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in October started from Rs 9,035 (£124).
CONTACT Sheraton Park Hotel and Towers, 132 TTK Road; tel +91 442 4994 101; starwoodhotels.com/sheraton
Margie T Logarta
