• PAGE ONE
• INDEX
• HOME

A fairy-tale getaway

Deepika Davidar

A common white-headed babbler peers curiously through the glass window of Vistas. It is a warm and breezy July evening. Every table in the multi-cuisine restaurant affords a breathtaking view of the sea which, at this time of the day, is a calm int erplay of deep blue and purple tints.

It's a refreshing experience -- Buena Vista Beach Resort & Bella Vista Corporate Enclave, Chennai. Turn left off the East Coast Road at Neelankarai and down Karunanidhi Salai. Follow the back road that runs parallel to the sea. Turn left at the cas tle. Yes, really, a magnificent fairy-tale castle. Complete with ice-blue spires. This is the `Anchorage', where you can disembark for a relaxed meal at Vistas or a snifter at Topsy Turvy, a unique bubble bar.

The resort is owned and run by the Fernandez family, which has a successful construction business. This is its first venture into the hospitality industry. The aim: ``To define the good life at Chennai.''

Says Mark Fernandez, one of the directors, ``This is the closest beach resort to the city. It's the ideal setting for corporate conferences. And it's also a great place for families to come and unwind, perhaps over the weekend.''

Since its opening recently, the resort has hosted residential conferences for organisations such as Unicef and Hitachi. Two ultra-modern conference halls, The Upper Room and The Senate, are equipped with hi-tech communication facilities. Ten ma gnificent Mediterranean-style villas offer luxurious accommodation. And Falling Waters, a crystal blue, tear-drop shaped swimming pool, is the ideal place to cool off after a tiring day.

But let's return awhile to the common white-headed babbler who appeared at the start of this article. For, while Buena Vista offers you every modern resort facility, it has added a special ingredient to its formula for restoring frayed nerves: n ature.

Plants are a passion with Frankpet Fernandez, the family patriarch and mastermind behind every detail in the resort. In his calm, measured manner, he explains that a good garden must have a combination of shade, fruit-bearing, flower ing and decorative trees. ``A garden,'' he says appreciatively, ``there is nothing like it to create tranquility and peace.''

While designing the resort and corporate enclave, Frankpet paid as much attention to the foliage as he did to the brick-and-mortar aspect. The result is a cool, leafy, tranquil haven. Dwarf coconut trees and Indian date palms, exuberant bougain villaea, elegant white lilies and hibiscus, aromatic jasmine and night-flowering cacti, whitebells and bluebells, crotons, Song of India, lavender, green-and-yellow bamboo -- the list seems endless. Add to this sun-dappled lawns and a profusion of butterflies and birdsong and you have a naturalist's paradise.

It's a peaceful atmosphere that the Fernandez family and the hotel staff are determined not to compromise. Enjoying the panoramic view of the sea from the rooftop banquet venue of the Anchorage, Ajith Menon, Food and Beverage Manager, explains, ``Other resorts have opened discos and have 3,000 people landing up there on the weekends. We believe a move like that compromises the comfort of the guests staying at the resort.''

From the rooftop restaurant, Topsy Turvy, the bubble bar, is just a step away. It is a relief to find a brightly lit bar rather than one that uses dim lights. ``Why should bars be shady, dimly-lit places?'' asks Mark. ``We want families to feel com fortable here, not just men.'' Recently, a local ladies' club met during the day at the bar to play bridge. ``We'd love it if more kitty parties were held here,'' declares Mark delightedly.

Candid about the resort's teething problems, Mark also acts upon every guest-comment card. The feedback helps them through the growing pains of a new resort. ``For instance, we didn't have the facility to accept all credit cards when we first opened . One of our guests pointed out that it was a necessity. So we hastened the process of getting that facility and now we accept all credit cards.''

Improvements in the food and beverage department are also under way. While the Indian selection was excellent, the Oriental dishes didn't quite measure up. The bar, however, can boast of excellent cocktails and mocktails. One can foresee a popular future for the delectable Rum 'n' Rummy.

``We're also working on theme evenings for parties,'' says Mark. They recently organised a `North Indian' theme evening for a Nestle get-together. ``We expect theme evenings to be a hit with corporates. Our advantage is our great location. People get to relax at a luxury beach resort without having to drive miles out of the city.''

As night falls, the jasmine blooms give off their heady scent. The fairy-tale castle is lit up and seems to glow. It seems the perfect time to sit at the rooftop restaurant and listen to the waves. Frankpet Fernandez passes by on his way to the A nchorage. He pauses and remarks, ``You know, Henry Thoreau once said: If you build castles in the air, make sure you put foundations beneath them.''

Fact file

How to get there: Neelankarai is on the outskirts of Chennai which is well connected by air, rail and road. From the airport, Neelankarai is approximately 10 km away. From Central Station it is approximately 25 km.

Tourist taxis abound in Chennai but be sure to agree on the rates before you start out. There are also numerous buses going to Neelankarai: 19, 19M, 19K.

What to see: Neelankarai is situated at an ideal distance from both Mahabalipuram and Chennai. The former, a tiny town famous for ancient temples, also has other sights such as the famous Arjuna's Penance carved on a rock face. Between Neelankarai and Ma habalipuram are a number of amusement parks if you're in the mood for some thrills and spills. Or you could go boating at Muttukadu Lake and stop over at the fascinating Snake Park and Crocodile Bank nearby.

If you decide to head for Chennai, then take a look at Fort St. George which tells the story of Chennai past and present. The Government Museum in Egmore will delight any history buff with its amazing collections. The city is also home to a n umber of beautifully maintained, still-functioning old churches and ancient temples.

What to buy: Mahabalipuram specialises in soapstone and granite

carvings, jewellery and hammocks.

Chennai is a byword for silk saris. A number of air-conditioned shopping malls have sprung up in the city where you can get everything from designer labels to indigenous crafts.

Weather: The best time to visit Chennai is November-February.

Pic.: A frontal view of the resort.