Conferences of up to 1,000 theater-style, receptions for 1,200 and wedding celebrations can be organized at The Leela Palace Chennai, a hotel set on 4.8 acres overlooking the Bay of Bengal in MRC Nagar, on the Adyar seafront of Chennai. Eight event spaces cover two ballrooms, a meeting room, three smaller daylit rooms and two open-air settings.
Seminars and company events
The Grand Ballroom is the core of the event offer: a pillarless room with a 20-foot ceiling and several possible layouts, for up to 1,000 theater-style or 1,200 at a standing reception. The Royal Ballroom, with a 14-foot ceiling, takes up to 600 guests and suits a second plenary, a product launch or a large lunch. For smaller groups, the Meeting Room seats up to 75, and two boardrooms, Diya and Maya, each take 16 people in natural light. The Champagne Room, also daylit, holds 20.
The hotel states that its conference halls are equipped with audiovisual systems, while the venue list shows AV as not included, so confirm what the package covers. Group offers can add a hi-tea session curated by the chef. An art walk inside the hotel, on the cultural stories of Mylapore, makes a short break between sessions.
Weddings and receptions
Weddings and family celebrations are handled under the Celebrations by The Leela program, from small gatherings to large galas. The Grand Ballroom holds 1,200 guests at a reception and the Royal Ballroom 600. The open-air Chess Garden lawn takes 150 and the poolside area 100, which suits a pre-wedding function or an evening cocktail by the sea.
Rooms and capacities
Stated maximums: Grand Ballroom 1,200; Royal Ballroom 600; Chess Garden 150; Poolside 100; Meeting Room 75; Champagne Room 20; Diya 16; Maya 16. Natural light is available in the two boardrooms, the Champagne Room and the two outdoor spaces, while both ballrooms and the Meeting Room are interior rooms. Floor areas are not published, so ask for floor plans for detailed layouts.
Accommodation
Bedrooms come in 12 room and suite categories, from Grand Palace Rooms up to the Presidential Suite, so a delegation can stay on site with suites set aside for speakers or the wedding family.
Catering
Event catering ranges from tea breaks to large dinner spreads that mix regional and international cooking. One format, Elai Saapad, is a South Indian feast served on banana leaves. The hotel's restaurants and bars are China XO, Jamavar, Spectra, The Library Bar, The Lobby Lounge and The Cake Shop, which can take team dinners outside the event rooms.
History and setting
The building draws on the palaces of the Chettinad region, with marble-lined corridors, chandeliers, a curated art collection and landscaped gardens, all facing the Bay of Bengal.
Getting there
The address is Adyar Seaface, 175 Sathya Dev Avenue Extension, MRC Nagar, Chennai 600 028. Chennai International Airport is about 35 minutes away by car.
