The Belstead

The only thing I missed was a pool. Otherwise, the location put us right in the middle of Chennai’s bustle, with restaurants, shopping, and nightlife close by. My family and I came for medical reasons, and the place worked very well for us. We stayed in a suite with a comfortable bedroom, a nicely furnished living room, and a spacious bathroom with a tub and a good selection of amenities. The rooms were very clean and well equipped. Security and staff performance were excellent, especially Shankar at the front desk and Narayan in housekeeping, who were both polite. The restaurant was very good, and the complimentary breakfast had a world-class range. I’d recommend it to families and people visiting for medical care.

Breakfast food and coffee are good, and Mario takes great care of guests. He goes out of his way to make our coffee strong just how we like it, and orders come very quickly. The front office staff were wonderful too. The door team always helped with our bags and spotted our hired cars. The frustrating part was the 7am start. The restaurant wasn’t really ready then, so coffee, dosa, and à la carte orders weren’t available. We foreigners eat earlier than most Indian residents, so that delay bothered us. I’ve seen this pattern elsewhere in South India for breakfast and dinner, and I doubt it will change when most guests arrive later, but I hope they consider early-rising foreign guests.

The housekeeping team did a great job, especially Narayana. His eye for detail and helpful manner really stood out. Rooms and common areas were impressively clean, which made the stay comfortable. Belstead Hotel felt professionally run while still being welcoming. The property was very well managed, and the staff were courteous and hospitable. I’d recommend it for a smooth, pleasant stay in Chennai.

The one real problem was finding the hotel. There was no visible sign, and I couldn’t spot it even when I was standing nearby. The cab driver dropped me off saying we’d arrived, but I still couldn’t find the entrance. Once there, I had a nice stay. Breakfast and dinner were complimentary, and the staff, service, and food were all nice. First-class hotel.