Planted directly on the Bay of Bengal shoreline at Adyar, where Chennai's creek meets the open sea, a seventeen-storey neoclassical tower draws its architectural vocabulary from the Palladian palaces of South Indian royalty — arched colonnades, ornamental pilasters, and twin corner pavilions crowned with shallow domes rising above the waterline in cream and terracotta. The Leela Palace Chennai, which opened in 2011 with 326 rooms, was conceived as a contemporary interpretation of Chettinad palace architecture, that grand tradition of merchant princes building lavishly in Tamil Nadu's interior districts, transposed here to the Bay's edge with a confidence that few urban beach hotels on India's east coast have attempted. The interiors carry the weight of that ambition carefully. Guest rooms are furnished with dark rosewood four-poster beds, handwoven silk bed runners in gold and amber, and Kalamkari and Tanjore artworks hung against panelled walls — the suite images show traditional paintings in jewel-toned frames, a direct nod to the temple town craft traditions of the region. The principal restaurant is perhaps the most arresting interior space: fluted dark-timber columns rise to a coffered ceiling above Venetian-glass chandeliers in deep crimson, the floor a warm travertine bordered by kilim-patterned inlay. Above the lower floors, a rooftop pool terrace is patterned with kolam-inspired motifs inlaid into the pool floor, illuminated at dusk against gilded bronze filigree screens lining the parapet — decorative metalwork that references the pierced jali screens of Dravidian temple architecture.

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On the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Adyar river, The Leela Palace is Chennai’s first and only seafront city hotel, designed by John Gerondelis from Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates Inc. Drawn from the inspiration of Chettinad Dynasty, the architecture of the Palace Hotel exudes the regal and opulent style. Set on 4.8 acres of land, the 11-storeyed hotel features 325 rooms and suites. Equipped with world-class amenities, the meeting and conference centres are luxuriously and lavishly spread. Its close proximity to the central business district and local attractions and having a spectacular sea view on offer is sure to make the experience of our guests a very memorable one. Designated smoking rooms are available on the 1st floor, subject to availability and allocation.