The Gateway Hotel, Madurai

The Gateway Hotel (formerly the Taj Garden Retreat) is the best hotel in Madurai.  Set in 62 acres of pleasant gardens and located on a hill overlooking the city, the Gateway offers 63 chalet-style rooms spread about the grounds.

All rooms are ensuite and have international direct dial telephone, colour TV with satellite programmes, minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities and hair dryer.  Rooms are decorated in colonial style.

The View offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a choice of local and international cuisine, and (as the name suggests) there are picturesque views of Madurai and the Kodai Hills.  Harvey's Lounge Bar has a good mix of local and imported drinks, and there is the chance for a game of billiards. 

The hotel also has a fitness centre, a large outdoor swimming pool (pictured below), and facilities for badminton, tennis and table tennis.