Home > Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels > GReaT Kathas
STORIES OF CHENNAI, CRAFTED FOR YOUR STAY
AT GRAND CHENNAI BY GRT HOTELS, EXPERIENCE CHENNAI'S VIBRANT FLAVOURS, COLOURS AND RHYTHMS FROM MARINA’S SANDS TO T. NAGAR’S LIVELY STREETS. TASTE ICONIC DISHES, EXPLORE ITS ART AND ARCHITECTURE AND SENSE THE CITY'S SOUL IN EVERY STEP.
STEP IN AND CRAFT YOUR OWN GREAT KATHAS.
DIVINE DARSHAN KATHA
Footsteps of Faith
Sacred Paths, Sea-Breeze Blessings
Start your morning at Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane. This ancient Vaishnavite shrine honours Lord Krishna as Arjuna's charioteer. Wander past towering gopurams and sculpted halls while your guide shares tales of battle, love and devotion. Soak in the chants, rituals, frescoes and sacred tanks.
Time: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Price: INR 2,000Up to 4 guestsPilgrim on the Bay
Where Faith Travels from Distant Lands
At Annai Velankanni Shrine in Besant Nagar, serenity flows with the sea breeze. Dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health, this coastal basilica welcomes pilgrims of every faith. Step into incense-scented prayer halls, pause by candlelit corners and the grotto then end with a meditative walk along Elliot's Beach where worries are left to the waves.
Time: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Price: INR 2,500Up to 4 guestsPrices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 99 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
HERITAGE KATHA
Metal Gods & Madras Tales
Where Time Sculpts and Silence Speaks
Explore the Government Museum with a private guide. Marvel at bronzes, relics and manuscripts that reveal South Indian artistry from Chola bronzes to Mughal miniatures. Visit the Children's Museum and the Modern Art Wing. Conclude your tour with a relaxing filter coffee break.
Time: 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM (Closed on Sunday afternoons)
Price: INR 3,500Up to 4 guestsPrices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 99 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
Fort Files and British Vibe
Where British East Meets the Indian Sun
Stroll at Fort St. George alongside a heritage expert. Visit the museum, St. Mary's Church and the hidden bastions. Listen to stories of treaties, trade and rebellion. Wrap up your experience with heritage tea in George Town.
Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Price: INR 3,500Up to 4 guestsPrices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 99 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
NATIVE KATHA
Shop, Drop & Roll
The T. Nagar Retail Safari
Browse Pondy Bazaar and Ranganathan Street for quirky finds, colourful sarees and street snacks. Learn haggling tips, sip lemon soda and end with banana fritters and filter coffee.
Time: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Price: INR 2,000Up to 4 guestsPrices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 75 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
Sunrise at the Shore
Walk, Climb and Wake with Chennai
Begin your day barefoot on Marina Beach. Watch the first light spill over the Bay of Bengal. Discover stories of poets, freedom fighters and fishermen then climb the iconic Marina Lighthouse. Conclude with hot idlis and strong filter coffee by the waves.
Time: 5:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Price: INR 2,000Up to 4 guestsPrices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 75 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
FOODIE KATHA
The Flavours of the Streets
Where Every Corner Serves a Story
Wander through Sowcarpet and taste chaats and jalebis. Discover Anna Nagar's famous dessert street as Chennai's food lanes light up after dusk. Sample vibrant flavours and breathe in sweet aromas. Savour bites that reveal stories of tradition and community.
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Price: INR 3,250Up to 4 guestsPrices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 75 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
The Mess Legacy
Dining the Old Chennai Way
Step into Rayar's Mess in Mylapore. Experience banana leaves instead of plates and warm hospitality. Relish meals made from age-old recipes. Taste Chennai's heritage served with love and simplicity.
Time: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Price: INR 3,250Up to 4 guestsPrices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 75 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
FAMILY KATHA
Fam-Jam Feast Mode
Where Togetherness Tastes Better
Invite the ones who feel like home, be it family, cousins or your closest circle. Dine in JHind's Private Dining Room and savour a specially curated T-course chef's menu. Share laughter, stories and plates from crispy starters to indulgent desserts. Turn every dish into a memory served with sides of bonding and joy.
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Price: INR 1,800Per guest | Min. 5 guestsMoon, Mars & Meteor
When Chennai Touches the Cosmos
Begin your journey at Birla Planetarium and travel across galaxies under the domed ceiling. Meet a Tamil astrophile who guides you through constellations, myths and lunar lore as the virtual sky unfolds. Gaze at real stars through telescopes after the show. Finish your cosmic adventure with themed snacks.
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:45 PM
Price: INR 3,000Up to 4 guestsPrices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 99 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
Animal Kingdom IRL
Where Chennai's Forest Roars and Whispers
Explore Asia's largest Zoo in Vandalur and encounter over 2,500 species in lush habitats. Join a private eco-guide to explore realms of tigers, giraffes, elephants and birds. Ride the zoo train, wander through the butterfly park and visit the reptile house. Enjoy an immersive day for Kids, families and wildlife lovers alike.
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Price: INR 4,000Up to 4 guestsPrices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 99 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
WELLNESS KATHA
The Balance Within
Where Healing Meets Harmony
At Bodhi Prana, wellness is an act of love for yourself and those you cherish. Begin with a Five Elements Consultation rooted in Ayurveda and enhanced by modern therapies. Realign your body, mind and spirit under the guidance of our in-house doctors. Experience a journey that restores balance, renews energy and reveals that true health is the purest form of love
Time: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Price: As per actualsARTISAN KATHA
Tadka Tactics & Sambar Secrets
From Tadka to Table, The Tamil Way
Cook a traditional Tamil spread from sambar to poriyal with an in-house chef at Bazaar. Plate and enjoy your creations in a feast of aesthetics, flavours and stories.
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Price: INR 4,500Net per coupleSip Happens
Cocktail Crafter's Happy Hour
Learn to mix bold South-Indian-inspired cocktails with the bar team at Steam and Whistle. Shake, sip and snap Instagram-worthy moments.
Time: 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Price: INR 3,500Per coupleDISCOVERY KATHA
Canvas of the Coast
Where Chennai Breathes in Brushstrokes
Visit Cholamandal Artists' Village to explore galleries, sculpture spaces and working studios. Meet artists shaping modern Tamil expression and try a short demo yourself. Conclude with tea and snacks under the banyan trees.
Time: 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Price: INR 4,000Up to 4 guestsPrices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 99 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
SISTERHOOD & BROTHERHOOD KATHA
Brunch, Bling & BFFs
Mimosas, Mehendi & Magic Tricks
Sundays just got sparkling. Gather your soul sisters for a brunch bursting with glam. Sip on flowing mimosas and enjoy live mehendi art. Watch a magician keep the wonder alive between bites and banter. Celebrate birthdays, bridesmaid bonding, or simply clinking glasses in style.
Time: 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Price: INR 3,500Per guestBride Mode: Activated
Because being the bride deserves its own soft-glow movie montage
Step into your own spotlight with a private bridal glam session in a premium suite. Enjoy expert makeup and intricate mehendi. Pose for a mini photoshoot that captures every detail. Experience your pre-wedding soft launch wrapped in glow and emotion. Claim your suite, your story and your unforgettable moment.
Time: As per schedule
Price: INR 15,000Per sessionHERITAGE KATHA
Metal Gods & Madras Tales
Where Time Sculpts and Silence Speaks
Explore the Government Museum with a private guide. Marvel at bronzes, relics and manuscripts that reveal South Indian artistry from Chola bronzes to Mughal miniatures. Visit the Children's Museum and the Modern Art Wing. Conclude your tour with a relaxing filter coffee break.
Time: 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM (Closed on Sunday afternoons)
Price: INR 3,500Up to 4 guests
Prices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 99 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
Fort Files and British Vibe
Where British East Meets the Indian Sun
Stroll at Fort St. George alongside a heritage expert. Visit the museum, St. Mary's Church and the hidden bastions. Listen to stories of treaties, trade and rebellion. Wrap up your experience with heritage tea in George Town.
Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Price: INR 3,500Up to 4 guests
Prices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 99 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
WELLNESS KATHA
The Balance Within
Where Healing Meets Harmony
At Bodhi Prana, wellness is an act of love for yourself and those you cherish. Begin with a Five Elements Consultation rooted in Ayurveda and enhanced by modern therapies. Realign your body, mind and spirit under the guidance of our in-house doctors. Experience a journey that restores balance, renews energy and reveals that true health is the purest form of love
Time: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Price: As per actuals
DISCOVERY KATHA
Canvas of the Coast
Where Chennai Breathes in Brushstrokes
Visit Cholamandal Artists' Village to explore galleries, sculpture spaces and working studios. Meet artists shaping modern Tamil expression and try a short demo yourself. Conclude with tea and snacks under the banyan trees.
Time: 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Price: INR 4,000Up to 4 guests
Prices mentioned are for 3 hours. Additional charges: INR 99 per km or INR 800 per extra hour.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
GREAT KATHAS BY GRT HOTELS & RESORTS
1. Bookings & Payments
- All experiences must be booked in advance through the hotel concierge, front desk, official website or designated partner platforms.
- Prices are inclusive of GST, taxes and service charges (unless otherwise specified).
- In cases of adverse weather, safety concerns or operational challenges, GRT Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to cancel or reschedule experiences. Guests will be offered either a full refund or the option to reschedule.
2. Experience Guidelines
- Some Kathas are weather-dependent and may be subject to last-minute changes.
- Guests are requested to inform the team of any medical conditions, mobility concerns or dietary restrictions at the time of booking.
- Children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult unless the experience is explicitly marked as kid-friendly.
3. Conduct & Safety
- Guests are expected to behave responsibly and respectfully towards local traditions, guides, fellow participants and hotel staff.
4. Liability Waiver
- Participation in GReaT Kathas is at the guest’s own risk. While GRT Hotels & Resorts maintains the highest safety standards, the hotel will not be held liable for any injury, loss or damage incurred during or after the experience.
- Guests are responsible for safeguarding their personal belongings at all times.
5. Amendments
- GRT Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to modify, suspend or withdraw any GReaT Katha experience without prior notice due to operational requirements or external factors beyond the hotel’s control.