All the year round, clubs and pubs are the favoured venues for all types of celebrations. Yet, when it comes to the New Year, the trend in Chennai is to book a beach house or a resort even though clubs have package offers for food and unlimited drinks at a lower price tag.

“As the years pass, I find I want an occasion as special as New Year to be spent with my close circle of friends and relatives, in safety and privacy, with our choice of food, liquor and music,” says Sarini, an architect. “At clubs one has to be cautious all the time, mindful of the massive crowds, and plan ahead for transportation, accommodation and so on.




That's why we have been booking beach houses for the last four years”, she explains.

Beach houses for a minimum of 10 guests cost anything from Rs 18,000 to Rs 28,000 for check-in at noon on December 30th noon and check-out at noon on the 31st. For check-in on December 31st and check-out on January 1st the prices go from a minimum of Rs 20,000 to as much as Rs 40,000. The demand has been so high that most of these beach houses have been booked at least one month ahead.

The prices for a twin sharing room in resorts begin at Rs 12,000 and go up to `16,000 for a noon check-in on December 30th and check-out at the same time on December 31st. Those wishing to check in on December 31st and check-out on 1st January have to pay between Rs 25,000 and Rs 32,000.

Most of these beach houses and resorts are willing to provide food - at extra cost, of course. Resorts have packages for the New Year, which include a gala New Year dinner.

“ECR signifies luxury and exclusivity. It offers proximity to the beach. To celebrate New Year, people usually want to party at night and spend the next day in quite reflection and a family meal. ECR homes can be rented for this season between Rs 30,000 and Rs 1,00,000 per night”, says event and wedding planner Reema Thakkar Tiwari. So come, ring out the old, ring in the new.