The Rain Tree

Good Chennai Choice

Good alternative to the Sheraton across the street, well-equipped rooms. Rooftop bar/restaurant is wonderful until it rains. Exercise facilities minimal. Inside restaurants tend to be noisy. Breakfast buffet pretty good. Terrible light-jazz music plays in all public areas, most people don’t notice.

Comfortable, light & friendly

My wife and I, and our adult daughter, had a pleasant 3-night stay at the Rain Tree in February. Very comfortable & clean rooms, and friendly and efficient staff. We detected no trace of the ’damp’ smell that some travellers have reported. The roof restaurant has a great view and the food is OK: the Chinese restaurant downstairs, however, is really excellent. There is an open kitchen and a real Chinese chef - we gave him a round of applause as we left! If we were pushed to make a criticism it would be about the feeble dribble of water that comes out of the sink tap in the bathrooms - the shower’s fine, though. We think this is probably a ’green’ feature...

Traveller's tip on local attractions

By railway from Greenways station (10’ walk south of the Rain Tree) to Fort station, then right at the top of the stairs as you leave the platform and go down to the old Fort. Go through the security barrier (they have very pleasant and attractive lady soldiers there!) to the fort area where there’s a wonderful old church, crumbling colonial buildings, a fine historical museum and Robert Clive’s House. Well worth a few hours

Poor Service

Nice building, but the service was very poor and the staff serve you out of fear rather than pleasure. It seemed as though everything was just too difficult. All in all a 3 star hotel and 5 star prices.