India - What to do in Chennai?

With the final of the IPL 2012 season looking like its heading to Chennai, i am wondering what is there to actually do in the city?

A little background info: I have won a competition in the UK and got complimentary 5 night trip to see the IPL final. I usually visit Bombay and going to Chennai is well outside of my normal india visit destinations. I already know that i am going to be sweating like a pig at the end of May!!!!

I would like to make it clear from the outset that i am NOT interested in seeing temples and 'cultural' sites (I have had enough of that from my childhood and quite frankly, i find it very dull and boring!).

My wife and I, like luxury, fine food and good bars.

Any suggestions?

With the final of the IPL 2012 season looking like its heading to Chennai, i am wondering what is there to actually do in the city?

A little background info: I have won a competition in the UK and got complimentary 5 night trip to see the IPL final. I usually visit Bombay and going to Chennai is well outside of my normal india visit destinations. I already know that i am going to be sweating like a pig at the end of May!!!!

I would like to make it clear from the outset that i am NOT interested in seeing temples and 'cultural' sites (I have had enough of that from my childhood and quite frankly, i find it very dull and boring!).

My wife and I, like luxury, fine food and good bars.

Any suggestions?

For fine dining, I suggest either Taj Vivanta (at Binny Road) (raintree restaurant); or the Taj Coromandel Chennai; Or the Courtyard Marriott chennai; Or the Sheraton Chola;
I have not yet checked out restaurants at the new Grand Hyatt Chennai or the Hilton Chennai.

The Grand Hyatt property looks really nice (in pictures..its very new).
The Taj Coromandel is the classic luxury Chennai location since many many years.....

Strongly suggest that you AVOID staying at Fisherman's Cove (Taj Vivanta). The property is like a two-star charging Taj rates....we stayed there last month and were totally disappointed.

I dont know anything about bars in chennai as I never frequented them.
"THe Park" hotel seems to be the biggest night-time attraction on friday/saturday evenings..

Have fun!

yes, there are quite a few nice temples in MAA. However, you clearly said you dont want to see them or similar cultural stuff.

I quite liked this place when I was there earlier this year. On Cathedral road opposite the Chola Sheraton.

http://zaratapasbar.in/index.html
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&safe=off&gs_upl=3836l6676l0l6941l12l11l0l1l1l1l353l2660l0.3 .7.1l12l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=663&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=chennai+bars&fb=1&hq=bars&hnear=0x3a5265ea4f7d3361:0x6e61a70b6863d433,Chenna i,+Tamil+Nadu,+India&cid=10689616086983490564

The bar scene is fairly limited in Chennai, and they all close between 11pm and midnight. Having said that, another poster mentioned the Park - there's a bar in the lobby called Leather Bar and a nightclub downstairs called Pasha. Both are decent (note, many clubs, including Pasha, only let in couples or hotel guests).

In terms of food, the restaurant at the Taj is pretty good and Rhapsody at Marriott is a decent Italian option.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

How about where to stay?

It's a paid trip but i am willing to "upgrade" with my own cash to better/nicer hotel if the tour company is not prepared to fork out for it outright?

I have won a competition in the UK and got complimentary 5 night trip to see the IPL final.

congratulations....i might be there myself for the final....i've been to chennai about a dozen times but i've never really explored the city since its always been work trips that last only a day or so....but the last few times i've stayed at the hilton....new property & quite nice....

zara "tapas bar" is crap and has extremely negative reviews from various people on tripadvisor. And what it serves are pretty generic snacks and NOT tapas as such.

you could also try the GRT Grand in T Nagar, which has excellent restaurants (copper point for indian food and azulia for mediterranean)

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

How about where to stay?

It's a paid trip but i am willing to "upgrade" with my own cash to better/nicer hotel if the tour company is not prepared to fork out for it outright?

Some of the high end properties:
Taj Coromandel and Taj vivanta(Binny Road) (ave 300USD plus per night)
Grand Hyatt Chennai (ave 250 USD plus per night)
Courtyard Marriott
Chola Sheraton (less than 200 USD per night)
Hilton

There are a couple more ...i cant remember them right now.

zara "tapas bar" is crap and has extremely negative reviews from various people on tripadvisor. And what it serves are pretty generic snacks and NOT tapas as such.

you could also try the GRT Grand in T Nagar, which has excellent restaurants (copper point for indian food and azulia for mediterranean)

I agree with hserus on above.....
the GRT Grand is not too high end (but food and service are awesome)...
I thought the OP is looking for five-star in every respect.

Thanks guys,

I am torn between the Taj Coromandel1 and the Hilton2.

1 - Justification being, when in India...Taj all the way! Classic Indian hospitality provided by world famous Taj staff.

2 - Justification being, it is going to be hot and humid in May so the rooftop pool and bar is great relaxation point + I cannot imagine myself venturing out much so might as well make the most of the hotel.

Feel free to correct me if i am missing a trick...

Thanks guys,

I am torn between the Taj Coromandel1 and the Hilton2.

1 - Justification being, when in India...Taj all the way! Classic Indian hospitality provided by world famous Taj staff.

2 - Justification being, it is going to be hot and humid in May so the rooftop pool and bar is great relaxation point + I cannot imagine myself venturing out much so might as well make the most of the hotel.

Feel free to correct me if i am missing a trick...

The Hilton Chennai is not ideally located for your purpose....traffic will be awful to get to shopping/dining places; as well as to the Chepauk Stadium for the game.

Taj Coromandel is way more centrally located.

I would like to make it clear from the outset that i am NOT interested in seeing temples and 'cultural' sites (I have had enough of that from my childhood and quite frankly, i find it very dull and boring!).

My wife and I, like luxury, fine food and good bars.

?

...Good luck finding the first and the third in Chennai... there are some quirky places and some great food (if you're not say into Michelin star French or Nobu or something like that) but Chennai has a lot of culture and history (I think)...

Although others with far more knowledge have opined, I felt it necessary to give you a short low-down. You may best be served walking around/riding around a little, watching the match, eating and then hanging at the hotel...

In all honesty, i did not think that i will find much in Chennai that i would appreciate. I think we will be sticking to the hotels and lounging around in the bars, restaurants and shopping malls.

The reason I do not like culture is because i have seen plenty of it during my numerous trips to India over the years.....there are only so many temples, shanty towns, beggars and 'real India' one can see!

My idea of luxury, fine food and bars in India is staying in a 5* hotel, restaurants located within the hotels and bars located within hotels as this is where all the action (however limited it may be in Chennai) seems to happen in India.

shrug. there's lots more than "culture" around in chennai but you wouldnt like that either.

welcome to overpriced tickets for a horrible mutation of cricket, and overpriced drinks at medium grade hotels ..

shrug. there's lots more than "culture" around in chennai but you wouldnt like that either.

welcome to overpriced tickets for a horrible mutation of cricket, and overpriced drinks at medium grade hotels ..

Let's hear it, you never know, i might change tact...