The Leela Palace Chennai

Mahogany-paneled interiors and a clubby hush set this luxury hotel apart from the standard glass-and-marble business property. It sits just off the Bay of Bengal in Chennai's MRC Nagar, and the guest rooms run large even by the standards of a place clearly courting corporate travelers, with the upper suites pulling in sea views. The restaurants hit the right note for a power lunch. The Michelin Guide awarded it one Key.