The Leela Palace Chennai.

Built on 6.25 acres overlooking the Bay of Bengal, The Leela Palace Chennai is the city’s only seafront palace hotel. The architecture pays homage to the Chettinad dynasty, featuring grand limestone columns, hand-carved marble, and a central courtyard that mirrors the fortress-like mansions of Tamil Nadu’s merchant class. Inside, the 326 rooms are oriented to maximize views of Adyar Creek or the ocean; sea-facing rooms notably place soaking tubs along the exterior glass for panoramic bathing. The 16,000-square-foot ESPA spa and a rooftop function terrace offer a retreat from the city's humidity, while the dining scene ranges from refined Italian to a dedicated cake shop. Live Carnatic music in the lobby reinforces the cultural grounding of an otherwise high-gloss luxury stay.