Staying at DakshinaChitra

It’s not a hotel, it’s not in the city and it’s not expensive, so what’s not to like? DakshinaChitra, the palm-fronded, sea-kissed, must-visit Laurie Baker-designed heritage centre on the scenic East Coast Road, is connected by buses leaving every five minutes for the happening southern suburbs of Chennai and arriving in about 45 minutes. They just have six air-conditioned rooms that, like the rest of ‘DC’, are always tidy and aesthetically kept. Bekal, the tiled-roof restaurant with seating in a stone-pillared courtyard, offers simple South Indian food. Tariff: Rs 1,250. Contact: 044-27472603 (10am–6pm) or 9841422149 (caretaker), dakshinachitra.net