Relaxing Beachside Getaway with Warm Hospitality & Great Rooms! (Notes for Families & Accessibility)
Nestled beautifully along East Coast Road, Fortune Beach Resort ECR Chennai offers a truly delightful retreat just a stone's throw from the sea. The resort has a wonderfully relaxed ambiance with a modern touch, and the warm hospitality really makes you feel welcome.
During my stay, I opted for a Deluxe room. While it was perfectly comfortable with no complaints, I'd definitely recommend trying for a sea-facing room if available – I missed out on that this time, but I imagine the view would elevate the experience even further! It's also worth noting that some non-sea view rooms, particularly those on the first floor, are accessed via a long flight of stairs, which could be a consideration if traveling with older family members. On a positive note, a pleasant surprise was the really spacious toilet and bath facility in the room, which felt quite generous for this budget.
The breakfast spread was quite decent, offering a good start to the day. A highlight for me was the dining experience at the restaurant, and a special shout-out to Mr. Umashankar and his team for their excellent service! As a Club ITC member, I also appreciated the 20% discount on my restaurant bills, which was a nice bonus. The direct beach access is another fantastic perk, perfect for those morning or evening strolls, and it's good to know they have ample car park facility, which is always a relief. For those with children, it's worth noting that dedicated kids' activities seemed limited, with mainly some basic board games available.
The staff, in general, were very courteous and attentive throughout my stay. One thing to note if you're staying over a weekend: I was there on a Friday night and noticed the staff seemed quite busy managing the Saturday check-in and checkout rush. So, it might be wise to be prepared for potentially slightly delayed checkout formalities during peak...
Read moreI had the opportunity to stay at the Fortune ITC Beach Resort on ECR this past weekend. While the property does offer a pleasing ambiance with well-appointed rooms and decent amenities, it falls short of delivering an experience that justifies its brand reputation.
The accommodation was comfortable and clean, albeit not exceptional. The facilities met basic expectations but did not stand out in terms of luxury or finesse.
The most disappointing aspect, however, was the breakfast buffet. Despite being a staple offering in most premium stays, the culinary experience here was severely lacking. The South Indian staples — Pongal and Upma — were inexplicably bland and lacked even basic seasoning. The idlis were dense and unappetizing, and the sambar resembled a diluted dal stew more than a traditional accompaniment.
Cold chutneys served straight from the refrigerator, rubbery momos, and uninspired noodles only added to the lackluster spread. Even the desserts, presumably intended to provide a sweet finish, were clearly thawed straight from the freezer, devoid of any freshness or flavor.
It is rather unfortunate that a property bearing the ITC name would fall so short in culinary standards. I would strongly recommend booking your stay without the breakfast option, and instead visiting A2B, conveniently located nearby, for a far more satisfying meal.
In summary, while the resort has the potential to offer a relaxing stay, the food leaves much to be desired. A serious revamp of the kitchen and its quality control is essential if the establishment hopes to live up to the expectations that come...
Read moreDuring our recent stay at ITC, the property’s excellence was complemented by the exceptional staff. Traveling with my wife and our 8-month-old, we were truly touched by the warmth and attentiveness everyone showed us, especially towards our child.
From the moment we arrived, Ms. Dharani at the reception made us feel welcome with a personal room tour and continued to assist us throughout our stay.
Mr. Vinod, the F&B manager, took the time to chat with us during dinner. He kindly offered to help prepare a nutritious kitchadi for our baby, assuring us of its hygiene, which our child thoroughly enjoyed.
Mr. Muthu from F&B was a bundle of energy, even running to our room to fetch an apple for boiling. He consistently engaged with our child during meals, making us feel like the only guests in the room.
Ms. Naro was a delight, always smiling and accompanying us to the lift, ensuring we felt cared for until the elevator doors closed.
Lastly, Mr. Vishnu, our buggy driver, went above and beyond by helping with our luggage and checking in on our stay, transforming a brief ride into a meaningful conversation.
Overall, our experience was wonderful. With a focus on safety and hygiene for our baby, the caring interactions we had from the very beginning reassured us and made our stay truly enjoyable. We look forward...
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