Classic: Fisherman’s Cove
Tucked off the highway with a pristine beach of its own, Vivanta by Taj’s Fisherman’s Cove has a discreet yet indisputably supreme presence on the East Coast Road (ECR). From the days when the ECR was a winding country road to nowhere (Pondy hadn’t been ‘discovered’ yet), Fish Cove has been loved for its superb seafood, beachfront picnics, vast ocean views from rustic cottages or elegant villas and, later, the spa. Tariff from Rs 9,000 Contact 044-67413333, vivantabytaj.com
Mid-Range: MGM Beach Resort
Once you get past the ghastly façade of the Dizzy World amusement park, you come across MGM Resort’s duck pond. Persevere beyond the ho-hum reception to the brick-and-mortar cottages and there’s a nice hotel to be discovered. Granted, it’s not chic but the rooms are large, well-equipped and set in pretty manicured lawns. There’s a thatched-roof restaurant with decent food, a pool and the beach for moonlit walks. Tariff from Rs 4,000 Contact 39102400, mgmhotels.com
Family: Ideal Beach Resort
Don’t look for aesthetics and you won’t be disappointed. Also pegged as a ‘family’ (can get noisy) resort, it’s clean and spacious, offers friendly service and has a nice seafood. Between MGM and Ideal, location should determine your choice. If you would rather be closer to the sites of Mahabalipuram and just an hour away from Pondicherry, stay at Ideal. Tariff from Rs 5,500 Contact 27442240, idealresort.com
Luxury: Radisson Temple Bay
Locally still known as the GRT Temple Bay, this tranquil hotel sprawls over 44 acres in the classic manner of an ocean-front resort with pathways leading to a beach that is never far away. The resort was upgraded to Radisson’s ‘Blu’ status (best online price, express and late checkouts at no extra cost and where a guest needn’t pay if a complaint isn’t resolved). The villas come with private pools. Tariff from Rs 8,700 Contact 27443636, radissonblu.com
Heritage: Indeco
They don’t quite get it but they try. The Indeco resort (previously Sterling Resort) aspires for a classy heritage ambience but ends up somewhere between retro and confused. Nevertheless, it’s clean, mod-con, large enough, has a great Ayurvedic centre and its location at a shouting distance from the historical Shore Temple compensates for the identity crisis. Tariff from Rs 3,500 Contact 27443914, indecohotels.com
Budget: Dakshina Chitra
DC is not a hotel. It’s a heritage centre that hosts many activities daily, a haven for the architectural traditions of southern India, possibly the finest library on Indian crafts, an NGO that strives to be self-sustaining and also a lovely place to stay. Laurie Baker designed six simple and aesthetic rooms that are offered when unoccupied by visiting artisans. The restaurant is kept open late for guests. Tariff from Rs 600 (rooms), Rs 200-250 per night (dorms). Contact 27472603, dakshinachitra.net