7 Questions to Ask Before Booking a Chennai Hotel Room

What is the rate, and is it per room or per person?

Always ask for the rate in writing, and ask whether it is per room or per person, per night or for the whole stay. At Embassy Park, rates are per room, per night: from Rs 2,800 for a Deluxe Double, Rs 3,500 for a Deluxe Triple and Rs 3,800 for a Luxury Triple.

Also ask about applicable taxes, and ask the hotel to reconfirm the current rate at the time of booking. A reliable hotel will happily do so. Rates can change by date, so a quote from last month may not apply to your dates.

A good hotel will not mind these questions. If answers are vague or change from one message to the next, that is useful information too.

Write the answers down in one place, such as a note on your phone, so you can compare two or three hotels side by side.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

This matters more than people think, especially if you arrive on an overnight train or leave on a late flight. At Embassy Park check-in is at 2:00 PM and check-out at 12:00 PM. The reception is open 24 hours with VIP check-in and check-out, so you will never face a closed door.

If you need to arrive early or leave late, ask in advance. Hotels can only promise what they can see on their booking sheet, so a message a few days before is better than a plea at the desk.

Which bed arrangement will I get?

Two adults sharing is not the same as two colleagues sharing. Ask for a queen bed or twin beds specifically. At Embassy Park, the Deluxe Double comes in both forms at the same rate. The Deluxe Triple and Luxury Triple both have a queen bed and a single bed.

If you need a third bed for a child or a parent, make sure the room you are booking sleeps three. Do not assume a double can take an extra mattress.

What is actually in the room?

Ask for a list, and compare it with what you need. For some travellers it is a desk. For others, it is a fridge or a place to make tea. At Embassy Park every room has air conditioning, a work desk, a mini fridge, a tea and coffee maker, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and a branded toiletries kit.

Housekeeping, laundry and room service are available. The rooms do not have a kitchen, so if you plan to cook, look at a hotel with kitchenette rooms.

Check that the photos you saw match the room category you are booking. Hotels often show several rooms on the same page, and the cheapest category may look different from the one in the picture.

Is the hotel smoke-free?

If you or your family are sensitive to smoke, or travelling with children or elderly relatives, ask. Embassy Park is smoke-free throughout, in rooms and common areas. Many hotels have designated rooms or areas, and the difference can be significant if you sleep lightly or have breathing difficulties.

Ask the same question of any hotel you consider. A clear, immediate answer is a good sign.

How far is it from where I need to be?

Do not just look at the map. Ask how long it takes at the time of day you will travel, and how you would get there. Embassy Park is a few minutes from the US Consulate General, a short walk from Apollo Hospital on Greams Road, and within walking distance of Spencer Plaza and Thousand Lights Metro.

Chennai traffic changes by hour, so a hotel that is close to your destination is worth more than a cheaper one far away.

It also helps to ask whether the hotel has a landmark you can tell your driver. The corner of Aziz Mulk 7th Street and Anna Salai is a clear one for Embassy Park.

How do I reach you, and how do I book?

Ask for a number that someone answers, ideally on WhatsApp so you have a written record. Embassy Park takes bookings on call or WhatsApp at +91 72007 60076. Booking directly gets you the best available rate.

Share your dates, number of guests and room preference, and the hotel in Thousand Lights will reply with what is available.