50 golden years of Taj Coromandel

Taj Coromandel Chennai has been one of the first luxury hotels in Chennai and a portal to the city’s indigenous charms and treasures. An iconic landmark in the heart of Chennai, the property stands as a cultural ambassador for Chennai, showcasing the city’s rich heritage, art and cuisine to visitors from around the world. The hotel presents a rich fusion of south Indian warmth and classic elegance that echoes the deep-rooted culture and heritage of Chennai. Over these five decades, Taj Coromandel Chennai has set new benchmarks for luxury hospitality, offering guests with incomparable luxury experiences steeped in heritage and sophistication. The hotel’s culinary offerings reflect the city’s local nuances and global fare with great flair. 

Over the years, Taj Coromandel Chennai has played host to royalty, heads of state, corporate czars and celebrities including US Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew, President of Botswana Festus Gontebanye Mogae, actor Jackie Chan, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Sergei Stanishev, Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton among many others. “We have had the honour of hosting the 1st Education Working Group Meeting of the G20, where delegates from across the G20 member countries stayed at the hotel and experienced the essence of Taj hospitality,” shares Hotel Manager Naved Karbelkar.

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Can you describe the architectural style of Taj Coromandel and any unique features it possesses?

Taj Coromandel Chennai presents a perfect fusion of rich, South Indian design and classic elegance. From the striking landscaped driveway designed to create a feeling of arriving at an oasis amidst the hustle-bustle of the city to the grand foyer of the lobby, which is a delightful fusion of temple motifs and water bodies, every detail evokes a sense of tranquility. The ambient sound of the flowing water creates a charming atmosphere of relaxation, while the striking idol of Lord Nataraja lends a traditional touch to the ambience.

The stunning chandeliers that adorn the lobby have been created by the famed Preciosa of the Czech Republic whose history dates back to 1724, and many examples of their work can be seen in Royal Palaces across Europe. The lighting from the chandeliers is used as an effective medium to vary the mood from day to night. The contemporary feel of space is complemented with the varied use of furniture and accessories. The colours are muted and radiate a pleasant feeling. The pillars holding up the lobby is made of four distinct slices of marble in crema marfill (off white) colour. The lobby is encased with Italian Satuario marble, a palette of various finishes from dark brown, emeparado brown and crema marfill are seen on the walls, floors and columns. Added to this are woven structures behind the counters and lobby lounge of textured wood pattern in panels and frames. Named after the Coromandel Tree or Kalpavriksha fabled to grant the wishes of people resting under its shade, Taj Coromandel Chennai continues to offer the best in hospitality to both business and leisure travellers.

Share some notable events or milestones that have occurred at Taj Coromandel since its establishment?

The grand opening of this hotel in 1974 marked an important milestone in Chennai’s hospitality setting. Since then, the hotel has kept up with the rapid progress of the city and the changing preferences of discerning travellers, offering them unmatched service. Throughout its eventful history, Taj Coromandel has undergone extensive refurbishment and expansion, all aimed at enhancing its facilities and offerings.  From the refurbishment of the lobby to the renovation of the ballroom, guest rooms and suites, the hotel has remained committed to providing guests with an exceptional experience.

The culinary journey of Taj Coromandel's legendary restaurants has been iconic and have defined the dining experience in Chennai: the traditional Mysore serving South Indian cuisine transformed into the award-winning Southern Spice; the legendary Golden Dragon, which introduced Chennai to authentic Chinese cuisine, came back in a new avatar captivating guests with its unique flavours; the charming multi-cuisine restaurant Pavillion made way for Anise, named after the popular spice, offering diverse flavours and textures; and Fort S George soon turned into Chipstead, the stylish bar crafting unique cocktails. Over the years, these landmark restaurants have continued to raise the bar and set new standards in culinary excellence.

The hotel has been the preferred destination for celebrities, dignitaries and prominent events including the recent G20 event. The hotel has won numerous awards and accolades for our excellence in hospitality and culinary offerings, including top honours at the IIHM-IHC London International Hospitality Day Awards 2023, Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023 and 2024, Condé Nast Traveller Top 50 Restaurants of India 2023 awarding Southern Spice as one of the finest restaurants in the country along with the Tamil Nadu State Tourism Awards 2023 where Southern Spice was named the Best Traditional Cuisine Restaurant. 

How has Taj Coromandel adapted to changing trends and demands in the hospitality sector over the past five decades?

Much like Chennai that is a fine blend of the old and the new, this quintessential landmark hotel presents the perfect balance between contemporary comfort and stylish sophistication. The hotel has indeed adapted to the evolving landscape of hospitality over the years by continuously refurbishing its facilities, enhancing its amenities and providing guests a rejuvenated luxury experience. Further enhancing the hotel’s position as the preferred location for urban rejuvenation, the J Wellness Circle offers a curated selection of Indian rejuvenation therapies, blending ancient Indian wisdom with contemporary treatments. 

A culinary destination for food connoisseurs from across the world, Taj Coromandel Chennai offers the finest cuisine, be it the traditional South Indian delicacies at Southern Spice, the best Chinese delights at Golden Dragon, the diverse multi-cuisine menu at Anise or signature cocktails at Chipstead. In fact, the quintessential Southern Spice stands out for its most-genuine culinary experiences with dishes reflecting the culinary legacy of the four southern states of India. 

With the growing relevance and importance of sustainable and responsible tourism, our group’s Paathya initiatives reaffirm our founder, Jamsetji Tata’s vision of keeping community at the heart of business. These sustainable initiatives are our commitment to contributing to the society with an integrated approach towards creating sustainable growth and positive impact.

Can you discuss the role of Taj Coromandel in promoting tourism and cultural exchange in Chennai?

Having launched in 1974, Taj Coromandel has had the advantage of being the custodian of luxury in Chennai by introducing the concept of fine living and hospitality to the city. Over the years, it has been the preferred place of stay for Royalty, heads of state, political big-wigs and influencers, underlining its standing as a luxury destination in Chennai. Taj Coromandel had the privilege of hosting the 1st Education Working Group Meeting of the G20, and the event highlighted Taj Coromandel’s stature as a preferred venue for high-profile gatherings marking the hotel on the global map. 

The hotel's culinary offerings celebrate Chennai's varied flavours and global influences. While Southern Spice, the world-renowned dining restaurant highlights local ingredients, Golden Dragon was one of the first restaurants to introduce fine Sichuan cuisine to Chennai.  Anise, one of the most cherished luxury restaurants in Chennai, offers a rich tapestry of global flavours. Indeed, Taj Coromandel continues to play a significant role in supporting tourism and cultural exchange in Chennai.

What are some signature experiences or services offered by Taj Coromandel that have contributed to its reputation?

The warm hospitality, modern amenities and personalised service at the hotel helps in creating truly memorable experiences for the guests. The 212 distinctively designed rooms and suites offer a perfect mix of inviting décors, modern conveniences, splendour and sophistication, making them some of the most popular hotel rooms in Chennai, such as our Tata Suite and Coromandel Suite, that are epitome luxury and fine living. This is complemented by a delectable mosaic of dining experiences, discreet butler service and bespoke luxuries. The culinary experience is enhanced at the multi-award winning Southern Spice where authentic ingredients, traditional flavours and homemade recipes come together to ensure that guests are served the most authentic and traditional fare. The chefs have put together a unique compilation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies after widespread culinary journeys into the interiors of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, acquiring knowledge, cooking techniques and family recipes. Golden Dragon was one of the first restaurants to introduce fine Sichuan cuisine to Chennai almost 50 years back, and is today a favourite amongst gourmands for its extraordinary selection of Chinese cuisine led by expat Chef Lian Yun Lei.

The J Wellness Circle at Taj Coromandel Chennai is a haven of tranquility, and offers the most contemporary Indian luxury spa experience and wellness services, aimed at holistic rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul. The hotel’s elegant event spaces including the magnificent ballroom makes the venue a destination for timeless celebrations, ensuring perfection in every detail. 

How has Taj Coromandel maintained its status as a luxury hotel while catering to a diverse range of its clientele?

We are proud that Taj Coromandel Chennai, an iconic landmark of the country stands tall today as it celebrates five decades of excellence. Committed to quality in all aspects, from service delivery to guest satisfaction, the courteous and well-trained associates at Taj Coromandel ensure that that all guests who choose to stay with the hotel feel valued and are well taken care of. Every guest receives the finest of amenities and personalised service, ensuring their utmost comfort and enhancing their overall stay experience. To stay relevant to clients’ changing needs and expectations, the hotel is constantly looking to innovate and evolve, and offer the best luxurious accommodations, fine dining options and event spaces. 

Looking ahead, what are Taj Coromandel's plans or vision for the future as it enters its next phase of operation?

As we look ahead, our vision is to exceed expectations of our guests by offering them an even more personalised and seamless experience. Today’s discerning global traveller demands the highest standards in excellence and at Taj Coromandel we remain committed to upholding our reputation as a custodian of fine living and hospitality. We would like our guests to take back memorable moments of their stay with us and towards that, we remain committed, leaving no stone unturned to enhance the comfort and convenience for our guests, and creating unforgettable experiences for them, is what we call Tajness.