Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway, OMR / IT Expressway (Sholinganallur)
Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway is a 5-star IHCL (Taj) hotel on OMR in Sholinganallur, with 200 rooms, a pool, Jiva Spa, all-day dining and seven event venues, about 18 km from Chennai International Airport.
Live rates and availability confirmed at booking. All prices indicative — updated June 2026.
Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway — quick facts
- Category: 5-Star hotel
- Price: Typically ₹7,000–12,000/night
- Check-in / out: 14:00 / 12:00
- Rooms: 200
- Distance to MAA airport: 18 km (~40 min by car)
Overview & History
Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway is a 5-star hotel from IHCL (Taj Hotels) under the contemporary Vivanta brand. It stands on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) at Sholinganallur, in the middle of Chennai's IT corridor, and was formerly branded The Gateway Hotel IT Expressway. With 200 design-forward rooms and suites, it is built around the steady stream of corporate visitors to the technology parks and SEZs that line this stretch of road.
The hotel's positioning is deliberately business-led: it is one of the most established premium addresses on OMR and is a reliable choice for companies hosting clients, running training programmes or putting up project teams on longer assignments. Sholinganallur sits roughly midway along the IT corridor, so the hotel is within a short drive of both the older office clusters towards Tidel Park and the newer campuses further south, which is part of why it has held its position as a default corporate stay on this stretch for years.
Location & Getting There
The hotel sits on OMR at Sholinganallur, within a couple of kilometres of major IT campuses including ELCOT SEZ, SIPCOT IT Park, TECCI Park and Tek Meadows. Chennai International Airport is roughly 18 km away, around a 40-minute drive depending on OMR traffic. The IT corridor is not served by the metro at this point, so transfers are by road. The East Coast Road (ECR) leisure belt is close by, putting Cholamandal Artists' Village, DakshinaChitra and the coastal beaches within easy reach for guests with downtime.
Rooms & Suites
The 200 air-conditioned rooms and suites are arranged across tiers from Superior through Deluxe and Premium rooms up to Club rooms and suites. Each room comes with a mini-bar, flat-screen cable television, electric kettle, ironing facilities and a modern bathroom with shower and toiletries. Higher categories add more space, better views over the corridor and Club privileges. The rooms are styled in the clean, contemporary Vivanta idiom rather than a heritage look, which fits the business clientele.
Dining
Mynt is the hotel's 24-hour all-day dining restaurant, serving Indian, Asian and Continental dishes across buffets and à la carte, and is the main eating venue on site. The buffet spreads at breakfast and dinner are a draw for resident corporate guests, while the kitchen also caters to regional Tamil and South Indian tastes. A bar and lounge handles drinks and informal meetings over a quieter setting. The round-the-clock kitchen is a practical asset for IT-shift workers and travellers keeping irregular hours, and in-room dining is available at any time of day or night.
Amenities & Facilities
Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, the Jiva Spa for massages and body treatments, and a fitness centre. For business guests there is a business centre, a 24-hour front desk, concierge and travel-desk services, and luggage storage. Free Wi-Fi runs throughout. The combination of pool, spa and a full meetings setup makes it workable both for a productive corporate stay and for unwinding after a working day.
Meetings, Weddings & Events
The hotel offers seven event venues for conferences, corporate meetings and private functions, supported by a business centre and IHCL's event services. Sitting in the IT corridor, it is a natural choice for product launches, training sessions and offsites tied to the nearby technology firms, and the banquet spaces also host weddings and social celebrations. The variety of room sizes allows everything from small board meetings to larger gatherings.
The Neighbourhood
Sholinganallur and the surrounding OMR stretch form the core of Chennai's IT and software economy, lined with office parks, residential towers and a growing dining and retail scene. It is a working district rather than a tourist one, but the proximity to East Coast Road means the artists' village at Cholamandal, the heritage museum at DakshinaChitra and the southern beaches are all a short drive away — useful for weekend guests or visitors extending a business trip.
Who It's Best For
Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway is squarely aimed at business travellers working the OMR technology corridor — client visits, project teams and corporate events all fit naturally here. It also works well for guests who want a comfortable five-star base from which to explore the East Coast Road attractions, and for Taj and IHCL loyalists. Travellers whose plans centre on the city's historic core or who need to be near the airport may find a more central or airport-side hotel more convenient.
Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway — room types
| Room | What you get |
| Superior Charm Room | Entry room with mini-bar, flat-screen TV, electric kettle and modern bathroom, suited to corporate stays on OMR. |
| Deluxe Delight Room | Larger room with upgraded furnishings and a comfortable work and lounge area. |
| Premium Indulgence Room | High-floor room with enhanced amenities and views over the IT corridor. |
| Club Room | Club-tier accommodation with added privileges for frequent business travellers. |
| Suite | Separate living and sleeping areas for extended stays or guests wanting more space. |
Dining at Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway
| Outlet | Cuisine / type |
| Mynt | 24-hour all-day dining — Indian, Asian and Continental |
| Bar / Lounge | Bar serving cocktails and beverages |
What's near Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway
| Landmark | Distance | Approx. on foot |
| ELCOT SEZ / SIPCOT IT Park, Sholinganallur | 2 km | ~24 min walk |
| TECCI Park / Tek Meadows IT campuses | 2 km | ~24 min walk |
| Cholamandal Artists' Village | 8 km | short taxi/auto |
| DakshinaChitra Museum (ECR) | 15 km | short taxi/auto |
| Kalakshetra Foundation | 12 km | short taxi/auto |
| Besant Nagar / Marina beachfront | 14 km | short taxi/auto |
Distances are straight-line estimates; walking times assume roughly 12 minutes per km. Confirm routes locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway located?
The hotel is on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) at Sholinganallur, in the heart of Chennai's IT corridor, close to ELCOT SEZ, SIPCOT IT Park and other technology campuses.
How far is the hotel from Chennai airport?
Chennai International Airport is roughly 18 km away, about a 40-minute drive depending on OMR traffic.
How many rooms does the hotel have?
Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway has 200 rooms and suites across Superior, Deluxe, Premium, Club and suite categories.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is by 12:00 noon, subject to availability for early or late requests.
What dining and facilities are available?
The hotel has Mynt, a 24-hour all-day dining restaurant, plus a bar, an outdoor pool, Jiva Spa, a fitness centre and seven event venues.
Was this hotel previously called The Gateway Hotel?
Yes. It was formerly branded The Gateway Hotel IT Expressway and is now Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway, both under IHCL (Taj Hotels).