Trident Chennai Hotel

Out in the gardens, The Trident Spa offers treatments inspired by Ayurvedic medicine and international techniques, including deeply relaxing, aromatic steam baths. Enjoy a soak in the large pool surrounded by banana-yellow loungers and at the Arcot Bar, let the in-house mixologist whip up an original cocktail to sip. Cinnamon is where you'll find the breakfast buffet beside a tranquil pond and Samudra serves East coast specialities in an elegant dining room, complete with a tropical fish tank.

With unfussy, honey-coloured furnishings, The Trident has a range of rooms and suites. The rooms combine modern and minimalist aesthetics with hand-crafted furniture and local paintings. Each room/suite comes with a king-size bed, minibar, tea and coffee facilities, a writing desk and en-suite bathroom. Premier Suites have a living area with views over the garden and the Presidential Suite comes with a lounge and dining area. Certain suites also have access to the Trident Club, where you can enjoy cocktail hours and high tea.

From its central spot, you can head out on excursions to the historic Fort St George; the Government Museum with its bronze gallery, which houses an amazing collection of Chola art; and Marina Beach - one of the longest in the world. A bit further out of the way, visit Mylapore, which is home to the technicolour Kapaleeshwarar Temple, an amazing example of 8th-century Pallava architecture. Tap into Chennai's modern side with a night out at one of the karaoke spots the city is known for.