La Woods

Chennai (Madras)


Wonderfully erratic colour schemes throw fresh whites against lime greens and bright turquoises at this friendly, well-managed modern hotel. The shiny, spotless, contemporary rooms are perfectly comfy, with mountains of pillows, kettles, hairdryers and 'global' plug sockets. You can even plug your laptop or phone into the TV! On-site restaurant and futuristic-looking bar.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Chennai (Madras) attractions

1. Wallajah Big Mosque

0.57 MILES

Built entirely of granite in 1795 by the Nawab of the Carnatic, and generally known simply as the Big Mosque.

2. Government Museum

0.72 MILES

Housed across from the striking British-built Pantheon Complex, this excellent museum is Chennai’s best. The big highlight is building 3, the Bronze…

3. Thousand Lights Mosque

0.82 MILES

Chennai's main Shia mosque, built in 1810. Mostly useful as a landmark, as non-Muslims aren't allowed inside the buildings.

4. Parthasarathy Temple

1.05 MILES

Built under the 8th-century Pallavas and unusually dedicated to Krishna (a form of Vishnu) as the charioteer Parthasarathy, this is one of Chennai's…

5. St Andrew's Church

1.21 MILES

This 1821 neoclassical Scottish Presbyterian church is one of India's most exquisite churches, rising up in leafy grounds in the middle of frenzied Egmore…

6. Vivekananda House

1.41 MILES

The marshmallow-pink Vivekananda House is interesting not only for its displays on the famous ‘wandering monk’, Swami Vivekananda, but also for its…

7. Marina Beach

1.49 MILES

Take an early morning or evening stroll (you don’t want to roast here at any other time) along the 3km-long main stretch of Marina Beach and you’ll pass…

8. Valluvar Kottam

1.58 MILES

This 1976 memorial honours the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar and his classic work, the 133-chapter Thirukural. Its most striking element is a 31m-high stone…