🇮🇳 Chennai, India
Raj Residency
📍 22, Kenneth Lane, Chennai
Your stay — Raj Residency
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Chennai.
The Property — Raj Residency
Raj Residency is a dependable 3-star on Valluvarkottam High Road, within easy walk of the Nungambakkam dining stretch. The lobby is compact, cool and clean, with polished granite floors and a polite, efficient check-in desk. It suits business travellers and overnight stopovers who need a reliable bed, good AC and a solid South Indian breakfast, rather than boutique style or leisure facilities.
Chronicles of Chennai
Chennai grew from the 1639 English East India Company fort of St George, making it India’s first modern colonial city. Its architecture layers 17th-century whitewashed fortifications, Indo-Saracenic public buildings like the High Court and Madras University, and now glassy IT corridors along Old Mahabalipuram Road. The city’s cultural identity is fiercely Dravidian, rooted in Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam and a boisterous film industry (Kollywood) that rivals Mumbai’s. Unlike Delhi or Mumbai, Chennai has kept its temple-tank tradition and colonial grid intact in the old centre.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chennai guide →Best months
December to February: dry, mild days (24–30°C) and comfortable evenings; clear skies suit sightseeing and beach walks without the monsoon hassle.
Peak / festival surge
January for the Chennai Music Season (December–January) and Pongal in mid-January. Hotels often run near full occupancy and rates for 3-star properties like Raj Residency can rise 20–40% above off-peak. The Margazhi festival draws classical performers and audiences from across India.
Budget shoulder season
March and October-November. March sees rising heat but fewer crowds; October and early November offer residual northeast monsoon lulls and good discounts, with average room rates down 15–25% versus peak.
Weather & packing
Chennai is coastal and sticky; July sits in the monsoon lull, humid around 34°C daily with occasional showers. Pack light cottons or linens, a compact umbrella, and a lightweight shawl or cardigan for heavily air-conditioned interiors.
Live City Briefing — Chennai
- The Chennai Metro Phase 2 extension to Parrys Corner (George Town) continues, with partial closures on arterial roads near Central Station until late 2026; allow extra time for airport taxi transfers.
- The new ECR coastal bypass between Chennai and Mamallapuram is fully open, cutting travel time to the Shore Temple to around 45 minutes from the city.
- Pongal-season crowds have subsided by July, but weekend beach traffic to Marina and Elliot’s Beach can still slow routes in Mylapore; start heritage walks before 8am.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Raj Residency, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 at the rear of the building (away from Kenneth Lane). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough to get reliable water pressure and quicker lift access. Rooms at the rear face the neighbouring residential buildings, which are quieter than the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-facing) due to direct exposure to Kenneth Lane traffic and footfall. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft — the lift is a service lift as well, so it can be noisy early morning and late evening.
Best views
Rooms on floors 3 or 4 facing the rear (south-east) look over a cluster of older residential buildings and small gardens — not spectacular but calm and with some green. Street-facing rooms give a view of Kenneth Lane's busy two-way traffic and auto-rickshaws.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 to 4 are the quietest. The hotel is a mid-rise building (likely 4-5 floors) and these middle floors buffer street noise and roof-top equipment hum.
🔊 Noise notes
Kenneth Lane is a secondary road off Mount Road (Anna Salai), so it carries steady auto-rickshaw, motorcycle, and pedestrian noise from early morning (6am) until late evening (10pm). Occasional honking from Mount Road junction 200m away. The hotel's service entrance (for deliveries and laundry) is at the side alley, so rooms near that alley on lower floors get banging sounds from early morning.
Insider tips
1. The hotel has a small parking bay but only for 4-5 cars — arrive before 6pm if driving, otherwise you'll be directed to a paid lot 50m away. 2. Request a room on floor 3 or 4 rear-facing when booking directly by phone; online booking systems often assign floors randomly and you end up with a noisy street-facing ground-floor room.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Raj Residency
Free for all guests; download speed around 10 Mbps; no login or password required upon connection.
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital editions via PressReader on lobby tablet; no physical papers delivered.
Standard check-in 14:00, check-out 12:00. Early bag drop allowed from 08:00. Late check-out until 18:00 costs INR 1,000 (subject to availability).
Complimentary at front desk after checkout; no charge.
Step-free access at main entrance with a ramp; lift to all floors; no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms on standard floors.
On-site unguarded parking for 4 cars, free. Nearest public car park at Egmore Railway Station, INR 50 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 100% advance payment required at booking; incidental hold of INR 2,000 at check-in via card or cash
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: Om Sakthi Muneeswarar Temple (600 m · ~8 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple (915 m · ~11 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sri Lankan Maha Bodhi Society (925 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: St Anthony's Church (937 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Cisons Complex — 910 m · ~11 min walk
Mayor Sundar Rao Naidu Park — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Chennai Government Museum — 586 m · ~7 min walk
Alliance Francais — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 774 m · ~10 min walk
Chennai Egmore — 833 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Use ATMs or money changers in Mylapore/T.Nagar; avoid currency exchange at airport or tourist hotels – rates are worse.
Cards accepted in most restaurants, larger shops and hotels; smaller street stalls and auto-rickshaws want cash. Contactless is common in chains but not everywhere.
Not expected but appreciated: 5-10% in restaurants if no service charge, round up taxi fare, ₹20-50 for hotel bellboy/housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a local 'tiffin' shop or street stall – about ₹20-30.
A full south Indian thali (rice, sambar, veg sides) at a local 'mess' – around ₹100-150.
Dosa or idli with chutney at a local eatery – main ₹50-80.
Kathipara Junction area and near Vadapalani metro station have good street stalls; also stalls along North Usman Road.
Reliance Smart, More, or local 'Kiran' stores; also Nilgiris nearby.
Head to T.Nagar's Ranganathan Street or Pondy Bazaar market for budget clothing; also nearby malls like Phoenix Marketcity for mid-range.
Local buses ₹5-15 per ride; cheapest airport route is bus 18 (to/from Broadway) about ₹25-40. Auto-rickshaws are unmetered – agree fare before boarding (roughly ₹100 for short trips).
Eat at local 'mess' joints rather than tourist restaurants; use metro or bus instead of Uber/Ola; buy water from shops (₹20-30) not hotel mini-bar.
Good to know — Chennai
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹96.24 · INR
Emergency Contacts
ChennaiAll three numbers are toll-free and can be dialed from any phone in India. For medical emergencies, major hospitals in Chennai include Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Malar, and Sri Ramakrishna Hospital. Tourist helpline: 1363 (toll-free). Police control room (non-emergency): 044-2819 9000.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Chennai, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Raj Residency
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 774 m · ~10 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Central Station / Egmore Station → Chennai Metro Stations nearby
💡 Post-airport transfer use for exploring suburbs (Guindy, Triplicane). Avoid during rush hours. Connects well to Anna Salai area via metro interchange.
Chennai International Airport (MAA) → Pullman Chennai Anna Salai
💡 Pre-book through hotel or use Ola app for fixed fares. Avoid peak hours (8-10 AM, 5-7 PM) when traffic is heavy on GST Road.
Chennai International Airport (MAA) → Pullman Chennai Anna Salai / City Center
💡 Catch Airport Express bus from Terminal 2/4. Budget-friendly but slower with multiple stops. Best for light luggage travelers.
Chennai International Airport (MAA) → Central Station / Teynampet
💡 Most economical option. Airport Express connects to Anna Salai area via Blue Line. Change at Central Station for local exploration. Card purchase saves time.
About Chennai
Wikipedia ↗
Chennai, also known as Madras, is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. As per the 2011 Indian census, Chennai is the sixth-most-populous city in India and forms the fourth-most-populous urban agglomer...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Raj Residency?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 at the rear of the building (away from Kenneth Lane). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough to get reliable water pressure and quicker lift access. Rooms at the rear face the neighbouring residential buildings, which are quieter than the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Raj Residency?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-facing) due to direct exposure to Kenneth Lane traffic and footfall. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft — the lift is a service lift as well, so it can be noisy early morning and late evening.
Is Raj Residency noisy?
Kenneth Lane is a secondary road off Mount Road (Anna Salai), so it carries steady auto-rickshaw, motorcycle, and pedestrian noise from early morning (6am) until late evening (10pm). Occasional honking from Mount Road junction 200m away. The hotel's service entrance (for deliveries and laundry) is at the side alley, so rooms near that alley on lower floors get banging sounds from early morning.
Which rooms have the best views at Raj Residency?
Rooms on floors 3 or 4 facing the rear (south-east) look over a cluster of older residential buildings and small gardens — not spectacular but calm and with some green. Street-facing rooms give a view of Kenneth Lane's busy two-way traffic and auto-rickshaws.
What are insider tips for staying at Raj Residency?
1. The hotel has a small parking bay but only for 4-5 cars — arrive before 6pm if driving, otherwise you'll be directed to a paid lot 50m away. 2. Request a room on floor 3 or 4 rear-facing when booking directly by phone; online booking systems often assign floors randomly and you end up with a noisy street-facing ground-floor room.
What time is check-in at Raj Residency?
Check-in at Raj Residency is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Raj Residency have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; download speed around 10 Mbps; no login or password required upon connection.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Raj Residency?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Raj Residency?
A full south Indian thali (rice, sambar, veg sides) at a local 'mess' – around ₹100-150.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Raj Residency?
Local buses ₹5-15 per ride; cheapest airport route is bus 18 (to/from Broadway) about ₹25-40. Auto-rickshaws are unmetered – agree fare before boarding (roughly ₹100 for short trips).
When is the best time to visit Chennai?
December to February: dry, mild days (24–30°C) and comfortable evenings; clear skies suit sightseeing and beach walks without the monsoon hassle.
Top Attractions in Chennai
💡 Go to the stretch near the lighthouse for fewer crowds. Avoid swimming—currents are dangerous. Try the sundal (spiced chickpeas) sold by vendors.
💡 Free entry. The crypt is open 9am-6pm—descend to see the original tomb. The church museum nearby has artefacts (free). Visit during a weekday mass (6am or 6pm) for live chanting.
💡 Free entry but remove shoes outside. The best time is during the morning puja (around 6-7am) when rituals happen. Avoid lunch hours (12-4pm) when it shuts for cleaning.
💡 Entry is 15 INR for adults. Go on a weekday morning to avoid school groups. Don't skip the natural history section with taxidermy specimens.
💡 Entry is 50 INR for adults, 30 for kids. Take the battery-operated bus (40 INR) to cover the large area. Bring water and a hat. Best on weekdays for fewer crowds.