Vivanta by Taj Fishermans Cove

• Great views of the Bay of Bengal
• Choice of dining styles and cuisines
• Close to the temples of Mamallapuram
• Enjoy a spa treatment
• Pool with swim-up bar
• Seasonal turtle walks

Open: Vivanta by Taj Fisherman’s Cove is open all year.

Location: The hotel is on Covelong Beach in the Bay of Bengal, 32kms from Chennai. It is set in 9 hectares of grounds.

Rooms: Accommodation is in 128 rooms, cottages and villas. All are en-suite, have hot drinks maker, minibar, satellite TV, IDD phone and a supply of toiletries. Superior rooms (27sqm) are in the main building, have ceiling fans and picture windows with sea views. Deluxe rooms (43sqm) are on the ground floor in a separate wing and are contemporary in style with high ceilings and plate glass doors opening on to a terrace looking out onto the gardens. They have large bathrooms, and are equipped with air conditioning. The individual cottages (34sqm) come with a private terrace and seating area with a garden or bay view, and have open-air showers as well as a bathroom with bathtub. Villas (39sqm) face the Bay of Bengal and have private gardens with hammocks, where secluded meals can be arranged. There is 24-hour room service.

Activities: Relax on the beach, play beach volleyball or beach cricket, walk in the gardens, go land zorbing or water zorbing in the pool. There are facilities for tennis, badminton, table tennis and pool, plus a gym. Yoga classes can be arranged. Bikes are available for independent exploring. You can visit the temples at Mamallapuram, a 20-minute drive away. Sightseeing trips to Chennai and Pondicherry are available. From December to March hotel guests can watch Olive Ridley turtles laying their eggs and see the hatchlings make their way back to the sea.

Facilities: There are 3 restaurants (see below for more details), and 2 bars: The Anchor and Sunburst by the pool. The lobby is bright and spacious and leads out to a terrace. The hotel has a large freeform outdoor swimming pool with a swim-up bar and a deck with sunny and shaded space. Jiva Spa offers a range of treatments including traditional Indian therapies. The hotel has a beauty salon. The fitness centre has weights, circuit training and cardiovascular machines. Personal training can be organised. There are tennis and badminton courts and indoor games. Other facilities include a library and gift shop. There are golf buggies to transport guests around the hotel complex. The hotel has a currency exchange service.

Dining: Bayview specialises in seafood, served outdoors by the beach, and is open for lunch and dinner each day. Seagull, open from 07:00 till 23:00, provides a choice of cuisines, and Upper Deck offers casual European bistro-style dining including freshly baked pizzas, home-made pasta, sandwiches and burgers between 16:00 and 19:00, served al fresco. Private meals in the gardens, on the beach or in the watch tower overlooking the bay, can be arranged.

Children: Children of all ages are welcome.

Health: We recommend malaria prophylactics for travel to India.

Communication: There is free Wi-Fi internet access.