Our flight to Chennai landed late in the evening, and the Leela correspondent at the airport was very helpful. Although the hotel car took some time to arrive at the pickup point from the parking area, the chauffeur was courteous and professional. Upon arrival at the Leela Palace, we were greeted with the usual welcome formalities and promptly escorted to our room for the night.
The room was beautifully adorned with a stunning sea view, while the bathroom was spacious and well-designed, featuring ample natural light filtering through the blinds. Mornings were particularly breathtaking, offering a direct view of the sunrise over the sea.
The hotel provided butler service, and my personal butler had been communicating with me since a day prior to my check-in. However, the experience did not fully justify the need for this service during the stay. Compared to other leading Indian hospitality brands, where butlers act as constant companions and the primary contact, I only met my designated butler once during my time here.
The food at Spectra was excellent, and the variety of cuisines was commendable. However, the service at Spectra was chaotic. Lunch service was particularly disorganized, with my table receiving minimal attention. The allocation of staff seemed haphazard, lacking dedicated personnel for specific tables. Breakfast service was slightly better, yet it could not match the refined experience at Oberoi city properties or some iconic Taj city properties. The breakfast felt more like a standard hotel offering, albeit with an enhanced spread. Room-service dessert was disappointing; the brownies were stale, and the walnuts tasted rancid.
The fitness facility was excellent, and I also enjoyed the wellness offerings. The wet area was thoughtfully designed, and the spa treatment by Ms. Thiney was wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating.
Overall service was good. The front office staff were warm and attentive. However, guest communication could have been clearer and more transparent. On the morning of our check-out, we received notable attention from the management, seemingly aimed at concluding our stay on a high note, particularly as a Titanium member. While the gesture felt slightly forced, I appreciated it nonetheless.
In conclusion, my stay was comfortable and pleasant. Despite some shortcomings, I do recommend this property and would consider returning for future visits to the city.
29°
