I stayed at the Chola Sheraton in May '08.

Service was good. My room was okay although some of the light switches did not do as they were labelled. The public areas were good and the breakfast buffet was excellent.

Other reviewers have commented that you would be pestered a lot if you walk out of the hotel. I walked the couple of km to the beach on one occasion and nearly turned round to go back because of all the pestering and danger with traffic.

There are many nearby restaurants and we particularly enjoyed the local cuisine on the nearby corner. It is a hassle walking the couple of hundred yards to the restaurants becasue there are no pavements, the roadway is narrow and Indian drivers will simply toot their horns and continue to drive straight at you. Seriously dodgy!

Also, beware of the 'tuc tuc' drivers (three wheeled motorised rickshaws) They will take you to their friends' and families' shops rather than the destination you have asked for.

All in all, not too bad a hotel in a fairly central, although typically Indian grotty location. Lots of building work going on. None of it anywhere near completion.

Overall, we had a very pleasant stay in the Chola. We stayed in a Luxury Room on the second floor, which was clean and spacious. The staff were really efficient and friendly. The breakfast buffet had a huge spread and was very good. The swimming pool is small, but suited us as we were in it to relax, not to actually swim. I would definitely stay there again.

Flew in from Mumbai to Chennai. I had booked an Executive Double Room online with Sheraton. Got to the Hotel and to my room, I was disappointed. This was no way an executive room, it was just a simple double room with a totally outdated bathroom. I immediately went downstairs to reception and politely told the lady manager that that the room can no way be an executive room. She suggested that i move into the executive suite. I said ok no prob.(She did not mention if there was any additional costs) The Suite was big, lounge area on one half and the bedroom on the other half, still all outdated wooden furniture and a really horrible dark blue tiled bathroom. Chennai is an upcoming business city and i expected better. The staff are good, and very hospitable. the bar is an old British colonial style retreat but closes at 11pm. There is another Sheraton down the road from this place called Park Sheraton which i hear is a lot modern. what is the point of having this outdated monument? If sheraton don't renovate this place then they may as well demolish the place.

The hotel is essentially a 4 star business hotel that needs a little paint and spruce to revistalise it, but is perfectly acceptable and strives to give you a high level of service. We booked into the executive floor and had the happy hour in the main lounge at night - get there early to get a seat. Drinks generally are local but fine. The room we had, a suite, was large and well equipped if tired. Reception at the hotel is bright and a 3 piece local band plays there at night - definately worth a viewing. The hotel is clean and the in house restaurants fine - the largest being a Chinese, not the second floor indian populated entirely by Western guests. I always worry when I do not see local people eating in a restaurant but the food was adequate if not southern Indian. Location is central but right on a busy road and flyover, be prepared for hassle if you walk out.