ECR, Chennai: Kovalam, Muttukadu and Mahabalipuram

East Coast Road (ECR) runs south from Chennai along the Bay of Bengal, past Kovalam, the Muttukadu backwaters and the temples of Mahabalipuram, towards Pondicherry. It is Chennai's favourite escape: fishing villages, coconut groves and private beach houses set back from the water.

Kovalam and Muttukadu

Kovalam (Covelong) has a Blue Flag certified beach and a well-known surf break; we arrange surf lessons and sea fishing trips on request. Next door, Muttukadu is where the Buckingham Canal meets the sea, with the Muttukadu Boat House for boating on the backwaters, about 70 minutes from central Chennai. Our flagship, Villa De Aqua Elite, sits here: see villa near Kovalam beach and villas in Muttukadu.

Kuvathur and Mahabalipuram

Further down ECR, about 2 hours from central Chennai, Kuvathur is a quieter stretch about 800 m from the beach and within easy reach of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), home to the UNESCO Shore Temple, the Pancha Rathas and Arjuna's Penance. Our Cascade Pool and Rainshower villas sit side by side here: see villas near Mahabalipuram and villas in Kuvathur.

Why a villa on ECR

The point of ECR as a short escape is distance, not spectacle. About 70 minutes from central Chennai to Muttukadu, or 2 hours to Kuvathur, puts you in a walled garden with a private pool, a chef on site and no shared amenities. Stay the weekend, or rent a beach house on ECR for just one day. Prices for every villa are on our rates page.