The ECR Diaries – Three Cities, One Soul

Introduction

Some journeys are about destinations. This one? It’s about transformation.

You start in Chennai, where life hums like a morning raga. It is swift, bright, and full of purpose. You then slow down in Mamallapuram, where the world turns softer, bluer, and older. And you end in Pondicherry, where every sunset feels like a whispered poem in French.

It's a journey from pulse to pause – from city lights to ocean nights.

Chennai – Where the City Breathes in Stories

They say Chennai doesn’t wake up. It rises, like the sun over Marina Beach, with a heart that beats in rhythm with its people. The city is a mix of filter coffee mornings, temple bells, veena notes, and the sound of auto rickshaws zipping through tree-lined roads.

If you are arriving by air, your first brush with comfort is just minutes away at Radisson Blu Hotel & Suites GRT Chennai Airport, the best hotel near Chennai Airport, where convenience meets quiet sophistication. After a long flight, picture stepping into an elegant lobby scented with fresh jasmine and soft Carnatic music playing in the background. A refreshing drink and a deep breath, and you feel at home.

But if you’re staying in the heart of the city, Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels captures the pulse of modern Chennai. Here, luxury is subtle; it shows in the small details. The chef remembers how you like your idlis crisp. The spa feels like a secret tucked away from the city’s rush. The rooms offer views that tell stories of old Madras merging with new Chennai.

Do before you leave Chennai:

• Catch the golden hour at Elliot’s Beach.
• Visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple for a glimpse of old-world divinity.
• Explore Mylapore’s ancient temples.
• Visit Phoenix Market City.

Mamallapuram: Where Time Rests by the Sea

As you drive down the beautiful East Coast Road (ECR), Chennai’s chaos melts into calm. Coconut palms sway to sea winds. The sky brightens, and the air carries a hint of salt and freedom. Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves as an open-air gallery filled with rock-cut temples and tales from the Pallava dynasty.

Nestled along this historic shoreline is the stunning Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay Mamallapuram. It is easily the best hotel in Mamallapuram and perhaps one of India’s most beautiful seaside getaways.

Imagine waking up to the sound of waves that seem to whisper legends of the Pallavas. Picture stepping out to Asia’s longest meandering winding swimming pool. It stretches lazily toward the sea, as if it wants to take a dip in the Bay of Bengal.

Here, luxury feels natural. It’s not constructed. You’ll find it in the touch of the sea breeze at the infinity pool, in the candlelit dinners by the shore, and in the quiet moments beneath starlit skies.

While in Mamallapuram

• Visit the Shore Temple.
• Visit the ancient Pancha Rathas.
• Indulge in a beachside seafood dinner under the stars.
• Take an early morning cycle through the coastal village lanes.

Pondicherry: The French Riviera of the East

Further down the ECR, the coast takes you to Pondicherry, a place where French bougainvillaea meets Tamil spirit. Here, every wave speaks in two languages. ‘Vanakkam’ turns into ‘Bonjour’ and mustard-yellow mansions tell stories of another time.

Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay captures this blend perfectly. Located between calm backwaters and the Bay of Bengal, the resort blends art de vivre (the art of living) with heartfelt Indian warmth.

Here mornings begin with petit déjeuner (breakfast) and an ocean breeze. Afternoons fade into lazy naps by the pool. Nights come alive with musique douce (soft music) and candlelight by the shore.

Step outside the resort, and Pondicherry reveals itself like a painting. In White Town, wide streets lined with frangipani and bougainvillaea take you past French colonial houses painted in ochre, rose, and ivory.

Pondicherry earns its nickname, “The French Riviera of the East,” not just for its architecture or food. It’s about the rhythm of life. A rhythm that says: take your time, savour the day, breathe.

Must do in Pondicherry:

• Walk the Promenade at sunrise, baguette in hand.
• Explore Auroville and its golden Matrimandir.
• Stroll along Rue Dumas and Rue Suffren – the prettiest streets in White Town.
• End the day with Vin Rogue and waves for company.

The Soul of ECR

Three cities. One coastal symphony.

Chennai’s heartbeat gives you energy. Mamallapuram’s heritage brings you peace. Pondicherry’s charm adds meaning.

What makes this coastal trail special isn’t just the places you visit; it’s how they connect. Start with energy, slow down with grace, and end with peace.

Stay where hospitality feels like home: Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels, Radisson Blu Hotel & Suites GRT Chennai Airport, Radisson Resort Temple Bay Mamallapuram, and Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay. Each destination is designed for those who want more than just a place to stay.

They’re for those who seek stories. So, pack your bags. The coast is calling.