Chennai Rains: IT workers check into luxury hotels to keep cars safe, stay dry and wired amid flood concerns
Increased Demand for Secure Parking and Amenities
“People are willing to spend Rs 8,000 for a room just to secure parking. Residents from T Nagar and surrounding areas have booked rooms specifically asking about parking,” Vikram Cotah, CEO of GRT Hotels told TOI. The emphasis on parking highlights the growing concern over the safety of vehicles during potential flooding incidents.
Local Bookings Offset Cancellations at Major Hotels
While some patrons from other cities canceled their bookings due to concerns over the city’s weather, local residents more than made up for it. Over 10% of the rooms at Taj Connemara in Nungambakkam experienced cancellations, but increased local demand filled the gap. On Tuesday alone, Taj Coromandel saw a 15% rise in family bookings. “We’re arranging pickups for people facing severe waterlogging. Additionally, we’ve received numerous inquiries for the next two days,” said Ronald Menezes, sales head, Taj Chennai.
IT Sector Employees Prefer Hotels for Guaranteed Services
Many IT companies in the city are securing hotel rooms for their employees at corporate rates. “There are 3 lakh IT employees in Chennai. Many of them are young and prefer staying in hotels where water, electricity, and WiFi are guaranteed,” said a senior official from one of the city's IT firms. This preference has contributed to bulk corporate bookings at Taj Wellington Mews and Vivanta on OMR.
Hyatt Regency Faces Full Occupancy Due to Flood Concerns
The Hyatt Regency in Teynampet has also seen high demand, with 9%
Read more on economictimes.indiatimes.com
