India&rsquos second luxury-level Inter&shyContinental property brings you closer to heritage destination Mahab&shyalipuram, yet is only 30km from the airport. Bang on the East Coast Road and the Bay of Bengal, the InterConti&shynental Chennai Mahabalipuram is also the brand&rsquos first Resort in this country.

Its 105 rooms will be served by an out&shydoor pool outdone by the gorgeous lily pool on the other side, an ayurvedic spa and gym with yoga facilities, and three dining venues. One of the latter is a 3-in-1, so you might get to eat five kitchens&rsquo worth of cooking&mdashEuropean, South Asian and Peninsular Indian from the trio of live stations at The Melting Pot, Chinese at the Tao of Peng, and small plates at the Gatsby lounge bar up top.

Room images reveal a Modern&ndashIn&shydian aesthetic cushions the colour of curry powder, day beds and benches cocooned with warm wood, urlis with a pink lotus afloat, dramatic black stone basins and bathtubs, and miniature handicrafts shine among the clean but luxurious outlines.

The information
Opening rates start at 9,900 per night, inclusive of break&shyfast and a dine-in credit of 2,000 per day
Contact www.intercontinental.com/Chennai