ITC Grand Chola, Chennai [Master Thread]
Sep 21, 2013, 11:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: England & Asia
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Plat - Ambassador Managed, VS Gold, Krisflyer Silver, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 118
ITC Grand Chola, Chennai [Master Thread]
I'm just returned from a trip to Chennai where I stayed here for two nights. I have to say it's one of the finest hotels I've stayed at, I can't believe this is a cat 4.
I'm a pretty well travelled SPG member staying at many hotels in Asia & America, and this is in the top 5 I've visited to date.
Fantastic rooms, luxury throughout building and the service was to the standard too.
Highly recommended. ^
I'm a pretty well travelled SPG member staying at many hotels in Asia & America, and this is in the top 5 I've visited to date.
Fantastic rooms, luxury throughout building and the service was to the standard too.
Highly recommended. ^
Nov 22, 2015, 12:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,235
Hello. Staying at this hotel in a couple weeks. Booked Club room. Does anyone who stayed there recently have any room suggestions, dining ideas, fitness room observations or other thoughts? I'll be there about a week.
Jan 23, 2016, 3:48 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: HK
Programs: SPG Platinum, BW Diamond, TK Elite
Posts: 380
I'm just returned from a trip to Chennai where I stayed here for two nights. I have to say it's one of the finest hotels I've stayed at, I can't believe this is a cat 4.
I'm a pretty well travelled SPG member staying at many hotels in Asia & America, and this is in the top 5 I've visited to date.
Fantastic rooms, luxury throughout building and the service was to the standard too.
Highly recommended. ^
I'm a pretty well travelled SPG member staying at many hotels in Asia & America, and this is in the top 5 I've visited to date.
Fantastic rooms, luxury throughout building and the service was to the standard too.
Highly recommended. ^
I did stayed in Park Hyatt when they opened, I would say ITC is better than them (of course much more expensive)
Mar 5, 2016, 7:03 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,656
just checked in for my first stay here & i'm impressed so far....i can't believe this is a cat 2 property....for anyone using points this place is an absolute steal....best cat 2 property i've ever seen....
had a bit of a strange experience at check-in....walked upto the check-in area in the lobby & the agent thanked me for being a platinum member & said i had been upgraded to a towers category room....i asked if there were any suites available & he looked at his screen for 10 seconds & said the hotel was completely sold out & there were no rooms available, let alone suites....he then told me one of his colleagues would escort me to the towers lounge & my check-in would take place there....i make the 60 second walk to the towers lounge & am greeted my another agent who had my check-in papers ready....he told me again that i had been upgraded to a towers room but before i could thank him he said that he was just going to check if he had something better available for me....30 seconds later he found a nice suite & handed over the keys to his colleague who then escorted me to my room....once in the room curiosity got the better of me so i logged on to check if there were any rooms available for sale tonight & it turns out that every room type was....so the first agent was obviously lying....
the lounge here is also excellent & i just finished dinner at the peshawri restaurant & the food was excellent....
i don't travel to chennai often but this is definitely a place i'm coming back to next time i'm here....
had a bit of a strange experience at check-in....walked upto the check-in area in the lobby & the agent thanked me for being a platinum member & said i had been upgraded to a towers category room....i asked if there were any suites available & he looked at his screen for 10 seconds & said the hotel was completely sold out & there were no rooms available, let alone suites....he then told me one of his colleagues would escort me to the towers lounge & my check-in would take place there....i make the 60 second walk to the towers lounge & am greeted my another agent who had my check-in papers ready....he told me again that i had been upgraded to a towers room but before i could thank him he said that he was just going to check if he had something better available for me....30 seconds later he found a nice suite & handed over the keys to his colleague who then escorted me to my room....once in the room curiosity got the better of me so i logged on to check if there were any rooms available for sale tonight & it turns out that every room type was....so the first agent was obviously lying....
the lounge here is also excellent & i just finished dinner at the peshawri restaurant & the food was excellent....
i don't travel to chennai often but this is definitely a place i'm coming back to next time i'm here....
Sep 29, 2016, 8:28 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Hyderabad
Posts: 4,843
The property itself is great - really beautiful. And nice restaurants. It's the people there (management especially) that need improvement. The above comment about being lied to by the front desk pretty much says how I think these folks are trained.
I stayed here a few weeks ago with some friends. Since I have a bunch of SPG points I booked 5 rooms from my account (one benefit of this hotel being 3k points for a Saturday night), knowing that I would get night / stay credit for 3 of the rooms. The hotel didn't post the credit, and then denied my missing stay request saying that I had either used a 3rd party to book (nope) or the rooms were billed to a master conference bill (nope). It took the SPG Lurkers here to step in and post credit for me - and even then the hotel tried to deny it. Very frustrating and a waste of time, and I assume folks who don't know how to contact the Lurkers would have just given up (what the hotel is hoping for).
The Westin just a few minutes away is also very nice and has much better staff / management.
I stayed here a few weeks ago with some friends. Since I have a bunch of SPG points I booked 5 rooms from my account (one benefit of this hotel being 3k points for a Saturday night), knowing that I would get night / stay credit for 3 of the rooms. The hotel didn't post the credit, and then denied my missing stay request saying that I had either used a 3rd party to book (nope) or the rooms were billed to a master conference bill (nope). It took the SPG Lurkers here to step in and post credit for me - and even then the hotel tried to deny it. Very frustrating and a waste of time, and I assume folks who don't know how to contact the Lurkers would have just given up (what the hotel is hoping for).
The Westin just a few minutes away is also very nice and has much better staff / management.
Jan 26, 2017, 2:00 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: UA - Platinum; Starwood - Platinum; Alaska - MVP75; IHG - Platinum; Hilton - Gold; Marriott - Gold
Posts: 670
We stayed in ITC Gand Chola, Chennai earlier this month. Have to say the service was awesome. Breakfast and the evening Happy Hours were excellent.
It's been more than 3 weeks, still I haven't got my stay credits or Platinum Amenity points for this stay. I booked 4 rooms on the same night (1 night stay). Any one experienced this?
It's been more than 3 weeks, still I haven't got my stay credits or Platinum Amenity points for this stay. I booked 4 rooms on the same night (1 night stay). Any one experienced this?
Jan 26, 2017, 2:26 pm
#7
Company Representative - Starwood
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The email address you can use is [email protected]. Please allow them 10 business days to complete their work.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Nov 28, 2017, 7:37 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 2,708
Upcoming stay here tomorrow to December 2nd. Any recent feedback? I’m booked in a Tower Room and really don’t like to hustle for an upgrade especially when categories are available [which they are - wide availability across the board], so I hope that staff aren’t up to any shenanigans.
Feedback appreciated!
khabah
Feedback appreciated!
khabah
Nov 28, 2017, 5:36 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
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Posts: 8,764
Upcoming stay here tomorrow to December 2nd. Any recent feedback? I’m booked in a Tower Room and really don’t like to hustle for an upgrade especially when categories are available [which they are - wide availability across the board], so I hope that staff aren’t up to any shenanigans.
Feedback appreciated!
khabah
Feedback appreciated!
khabah
We dined at and toured around the ITC Maurya in New Delhi, and it was huge but quite impressive (Cat 5 if I recall correctly). We also dined at and toured the ITC Mughal in Agra, and that also was impresssive (and only Cat 2 I think!).
But it isn’t uncommon for LuxColl and Tribute properties to sometimes misbehave when it comes to Plat upgrades—since they are managed independently (not by SPG) and don’t always or often enough play by SPG rules that we know and expect (and deserve). It may be wise to contact a manager in advance about this...and then to not be reluctant to ask for a manager when checking in if you don’t already get an appropriate upgrade (assuming availability).
Would love to hear what you think about this property.
Nov 28, 2017, 6:28 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 281
Upcoming stay here tomorrow to December 2nd. Any recent feedback? I’m booked in a Tower Room and really don’t like to hustle for an upgrade especially when categories are available [which they are - wide availability across the board], so I hope that staff aren’t up to any shenanigans.
Feedback appreciated!
khabah
Feedback appreciated!
khabah
Rooms were impeccable and the service was on point. Room service was quick and the set up was first class. One of the rooms was upgraded to a suite.
The only thing that bugged me was the elite check in area was like a zoo. Extremely noisy and a mass of people crowding a small space.
I am sure you will have a great experience. The location is Central as well.
Nov 29, 2017, 12:31 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 2,708
This and several other ITC properties are supposed to be quite nice—great values using both cash and points.
We dined at and toured around the ITC Maurya in New Delhi, and it was huge but quite impressive (Cat 5 if I recall correctly). We also dined at and toured the ITC Mughal in Agra, and that also was impresssive (and only Cat 2 I think!).
But it isn’t uncommon for LuxColl and Tribute properties to sometimes misbehave when it comes to Plat upgrades—since they are managed independently (not by SPG) and don’t always or often enough play by SPG rules that we know and expect (and deserve). It may be wise to contact a manager in advance about this...and then to not be reluctant to ask for a manager when checking in if you don’t already get an appropriate upgrade (assuming availability).
Would love to hear what you think about this property.
We dined at and toured around the ITC Maurya in New Delhi, and it was huge but quite impressive (Cat 5 if I recall correctly). We also dined at and toured the ITC Mughal in Agra, and that also was impresssive (and only Cat 2 I think!).
But it isn’t uncommon for LuxColl and Tribute properties to sometimes misbehave when it comes to Plat upgrades—since they are managed independently (not by SPG) and don’t always or often enough play by SPG rules that we know and expect (and deserve). It may be wise to contact a manager in advance about this...and then to not be reluctant to ask for a manager when checking in if you don’t already get an appropriate upgrade (assuming availability).
Would love to hear what you think about this property.
i stayed here in Aug. 2 rooms on a cash stay.
Rooms were impeccable and the service was on point. Room service was quick and the set up was first class. One of the rooms was upgraded to a suite.
The only thing that bugged me was the elite check in area was like a zoo. Extremely noisy and a mass of people crowding a small space.
I am sure you will have a great experience. The location is Central as well.
Rooms were impeccable and the service was on point. Room service was quick and the set up was first class. One of the rooms was upgraded to a suite.
The only thing that bugged me was the elite check in area was like a zoo. Extremely noisy and a mass of people crowding a small space.
I am sure you will have a great experience. The location is Central as well.
Thanks again! Will report back with a full review very soon - stay tuned.
khabah
Nov 30, 2017, 6:47 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 2,708
Reporting live from Chennai:
Arrived around 3 AM and escorted to The Towers private lobby [the initial category I booked] for check-in. Informed that I was upgraded to an ITC One room, so I didn’t contest the upgrade even though suites were available and the Towers and ITC One rooms are exactly the same size but the ITC One rooms are located on the top three floors of the hotel. The room itself is fabulous and extremely spacious at 57 square meters/613 square feet and includes perks as complimentary breakfast in the main restaurant or free room service and access to the unfortunately-named Upper Crust lounge with complimentary high tea between 3 and 5 PM and complimentary “luxury hours” [aka happy hour] with hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and alcoholic beverages between 6 and 8 PM [this is in addition to access to the Residents’ Lounge for entry-level Executive Club and Towers rooms; if you’re in those categories, you can use the Upper Crust lounge on a chargeable basis]. The spread itself is nice, the service genuine and the hotel as a whole is delightfully over-the-top in every conceivable way, but I’m enjoying my time here while it pours buckets outside in monsoon-soaked Chennai.
Good times!
khabah
Arrived around 3 AM and escorted to The Towers private lobby [the initial category I booked] for check-in. Informed that I was upgraded to an ITC One room, so I didn’t contest the upgrade even though suites were available and the Towers and ITC One rooms are exactly the same size but the ITC One rooms are located on the top three floors of the hotel. The room itself is fabulous and extremely spacious at 57 square meters/613 square feet and includes perks as complimentary breakfast in the main restaurant or free room service and access to the unfortunately-named Upper Crust lounge with complimentary high tea between 3 and 5 PM and complimentary “luxury hours” [aka happy hour] with hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and alcoholic beverages between 6 and 8 PM [this is in addition to access to the Residents’ Lounge for entry-level Executive Club and Towers rooms; if you’re in those categories, you can use the Upper Crust lounge on a chargeable basis]. The spread itself is nice, the service genuine and the hotel as a whole is delightfully over-the-top in every conceivable way, but I’m enjoying my time here while it pours buckets outside in monsoon-soaked Chennai.
Good times!
khabah
Feb 9, 2018, 8:46 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chennai
Programs: Aeroplan, Marriott LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 209
hi
Does anyone know what is the Executive Club offers during the Happy Hour (6 To 8pm). Seems different than the Upper Crust based on the last post. I am Gold Elite. Thanks.
Does anyone know what is the Executive Club offers during the Happy Hour (6 To 8pm). Seems different than the Upper Crust based on the last post. I am Gold Elite. Thanks.
Nov 4, 2021, 11:57 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chennai
Programs: Aeroplan, Marriott LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 209
Marriott Bonvoy Lurker Marriott Bonvoy Lurker II Marriott Bonvoy Lurker III
ITC Grand Chola does not show availability for points redemptions for any day in next 9 months. can you please check what is going on with this and see how I can book using points.
ITC Grand Chola does not show availability for points redemptions for any day in next 9 months. can you please check what is going on with this and see how I can book using points.
Nov 5, 2021, 1:10 am
#15
Company Representative, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: Feb 2019
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Posts: 1,084
Marriott Bonvoy Lurker Marriott Bonvoy Lurker II Marriott Bonvoy Lurker III
ITC Grand Chola does not show availability for points redemptions for any day in next 9 months. can you please check what is going on with this and see how I can book using points.
ITC Grand Chola does not show availability for points redemptions for any day in next 9 months. can you please check what is going on with this and see how I can book using points.
We just checked on Marriott website and could see many dates available for points redemption at ITC Grand Chola, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai. If you still could not see the availability, please share a screenshot of your searching page with us. We are pleased to look into this further for you.
Best regards,
Carrie L
Specialist Social Media
Marriott International
[email protected]