Every Year i treat myself a luxury getaway at one of the Taj properties using the 10K voucher that i get from my American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card (review). In the past, i’ve used the vouchers to stay at Taj Santacruz, Mumbai & Taj Surya, Coimbatore and i always enjoy staying with Taj properties.
Their attention to detail, especially on service makes them one of the best hotel brand in the world and this stay at Vivanta by Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa too was no exception.
Table of Contents
My Experience at Taj Fisherman’s Cove
Booking
- Cost: 9,500 INR+GST
I booked the Garden View room via Taj centralized reservation and requested for a Sea View upgrade if available. Technically, Garden View rooms are more spacious, so I wasn’t really hoping for the upgrade anyway.
Location
This luxury beach resort is located near the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Chennai, about 40 Km from the Airport and it is a perfect spot for a weekend getaway (whether for friends, families or couples).
- Uber from Airport: ~800 INR (1hr 15mins)
Check-in & Lobby
The check-in went very smoothly. You are asked to wait in the lobby while they come to you for check-in formalities. Got the Taj traditional welcome along with a welcome drink. All were done in less than 10 mins and I was then guided to my room.
The Room
I was told that my room got upgraded from Garden View to Sea View (Yay!). Sea View rooms are in the main building while Garden View rooms are a bit away. But they’ve got electric carts to take you there anyway.
The interiors were splendid and truly felt like heaven 🙂
The Pool & Sea View were nicely granted from the window. The overall look was nice and scenic, though the Sea “view” is not so great as the trees in-between kinda block the view a bit. You still could spend hours enjoying your time with this spectacular view.
The Resort
The resort is situated on a 48 Acre land and most of that is covered with lush green grass. Nature is there for you to enjoy at its best. It’s so “Instagramic” as well, check out some of the shots taken at the property below!
Apart from the regular rooms, to experience the property at its best, you must book one of their cottages that comes with a private area facing the beach. My next stay in this property would probably be in one of their cottages. Check out how scenic they’re:
While cottages are the best, they’re bit old and some of them are under renovation now. So, if you’re planning on staying in one of those cottages, ask for the renovated ones.
The Beach
The resort grants access to a private beach area where you can spend your chilled evening or early morning breathing in the scent of the sea. The beach is neat and clean. We spent a few hours in the beach as the weather was fortunately cloudy.
Breakfast & In-Room Dining
In Room Dining: We ordered some sandwich, which doesn’t meet our expectations, especially when it costs a whooping 750 INR. Almost all items on menu were 3X Costlier.
Breakfast: Its included in the package, serving both Western and Indian delicacy with lots of tasty options to choose from. Apart from the delicious main course, my favorite here was the Cold Coffee.
And sorry… I realized that I did not snap any pics before getting started with it. Though, here’s one in mid way!
Check-Out
This is probably the only property I know where the checkout is done in a separated place – in a room opposite to the check-in area. They adjusted the Room Rate + F&B bills on the Taj voucher, meaning I used the entire voucher amount. Sense of Joy! 🙂
This unforgettable experience at Taj Fisherman’s cove was possible because of the Voucher received from American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card. So, go ahead and apply for one and treat yourself an amazing getaway at one of the Taj properties like this. 🙂
Bottomline
Vivanta by Taj Fisherman’s Cove is certainly one the best beach resort around Chennai for ages. Even though the property is a bit old, it still holds the charm in every aspect.
If you’re planning to stay in Fishermans Cove, consider staying around winter time, so you can enjoy the Nature + Beach + Pool to the fullest.
- CardExpert Hotel Rating: 5/5
Have you been to Vivanta by Taj Fisherman’s Cove or, maybe interested just after reading this article? Feel free to share your views in comments below.
Hey great review. I will definitely plan for a trip here. Because the review was great we didn’t mind that pic you clicked mid way through the meal. 😀😀
I did put a lot of effort on this review than usual. Glad you liked it!
And thanks for the kind words 🙂
Wow. Perfect review and awesome picture quality. We are delighted to see you are coming up with reviews more frequently. May your blog grows by leaps and bounds. All the best.
I am going to Kolkata next month. If you want I can send pictures of Kolkata TFS Lounge.
Thanks again!
Sure, you shall send them anytime.
I visited the newer property Taj Swarna Amritsar, its the most expensive hotel in Amritsar courtesy American Express 😀. Its a sort of status symbol with locals as they all look at u with respect if u say u are staying in Taj. The Property i must say is awesome and a perfect weekend getaway.
Speaking of American Express I got a call from them offering me a LTF Gold Credit Card which is surprising since I don’t hold a Gold Charge Card. I would have loved a LTF Membership Credit Card instead but they said that offer is over with and since I am self employed there would have been problems with that 15LPA offer so I should choose the Gold Credit Card.
I found no mention on their site but did find it in their MITC and compared to their Membership card its a lesser of a card. The Gold Credit Card and the Everyday Gold Credit Card remain mysteries to me if anyone has info on Reward tier, Exchange rate, revolve charge, etc do enlighten us all.
same here. Today I got their message via linkedin.Its about gold credit card. I see only gold charge card on their web page.
Is this card lifetime free?
Nope!
Depends, I am having this card as LTF
Some on seems to be on vacation mode!! Great pics. Awesome review. 🙂
Else the voucher will expire buddy 😀
Nice review and great property, Since u r a long time user of platinum card U will be able to address my query –
1) The Taj voucher we get has a validity, this deadline is for doint the booking on taj website or for the stay.
2) How u used the voucher for food bills.? as I understand this voucher can be used while making booking at taj website.
3) Does Amex give you waiver in renewal fee for being a long time loyal customer.
1. Stay
2. Most properties don’t care about it. But you may-not be allowed if F&B bill is high.
3. Nope! Every Year I Sacrifice 10,000 MR Points to Keep Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card
Must say, its sooo tempting review.
If someone wants to experience this type of Taj properties and don’t have Amex platinum then applying for SC Ultimate and using those 10K complementary welcome vouchers is not a bad idea too.
Good idea indeed. But eligibility is the restricting factor for many in that case.
What 10K welcome vouchers?
must be the 10K mmt voucher
As per my understanding ,Once you receive SC Ultimate card and do a booking in MMT ,you will receive 100% cashback (Max 10000). That’s been referred as 10k welcome voucher
Great review Sid-the details are much appreciated! Quick question-can 2 people make use of their Amex Taj vouchers for a single stay by combining the overall value?
If the stay is going to be 2 days, you can split into 2 reservations and do it.
For 1 day, technically, it must be possible, as its actually considered more like a cash component.
Though, do check with reservations.
one can use any number of vouchers for bookings. single or multiple rooms, single or different days. they don’t care. it is like a money voucher but only usable at taj. just that partial voucher redemption is not allowed.
Great Review Sid, soon I will come up with Taj Bekal Review in October.(Courtesy Amex & Sid)
Though the voucher validity is for 1 year, still it can be used till 2 years.After voucher is expired ,we can once re validate the voucher that is you can extend the validity once that is valid for next 3 months
I have blocked the room through TAJ direct call center and I am going to use my voucher that got expired on April 2018
Cool. Are you taking flight to Mangalore Airport to reach Taj Bekal?
Btw, my voucher validity is usually 6 months. I’ve heard about this extension of the coupon earlier, but never tried. Do you re-validate via Amex or Taj?
Sid,
Yes, I am taking flight from Chennai To Mangalore to reach Bekal.On the arrival I am staying in Lalit Bekal next day is in Taj
Re-validation should be done through AMEX only
Okay got it!
Lalit Bekal seems to be equally great as well. Adding it to my wish list 🙂
Seems, you have good hotel list ,Can you publish your hotel wish list , so that it would be useful for travel enthusiast like me
Okay, will work on it 🙂
i used the rs 10k voucher at Taj Hari Mahal Jodhpur during diwali last year , they didnt care much about what the discount is applied against , they just adjusted 10k against the total bill and of course i had to pay the balance by AMEX only
Most hotels don’t mind on which card you’re paying the balance too.
I didnt pay with amex….they said pay with any card….
I have used d vouchers in Vivanta by Taj Surya in Coimbatore last year for 2 days stay… This time i ll try out Fishermens Cove in Chennai for sure ☺️ When u sign up for d membership n book, d rates r cheaper by 1000😊
“sign up for d membership”
Meaning for new members only?
I think Membership rate is like without breakfast. In that case, rate will be obviously cheaper.
Yes, I’ve even availed it once couple of months back. But thought he’s referring to something different.
No… For all d members…
Hey Sid, I was re-reading your review and came across this statement: “They adjusted the Room Rate + F&B bills on the Taj voucher, “. However, the T&Cs of the Taj Voucher on the Plat Charge goes something like this: “However, any additional usage of the hotel amenities during the stay (F&B, spa etc.) will not be adjustable on the voucher and will need to be settled separately. The taxes will have to be paid by the Customers on their own”. So great that you were able to pull it off.
Hello Sid
Thanks for the review. I already have a Taj voucher thought of trying Fisherman’s cove:) Can you please clarify whether the card holder can take a companion with him for the stay ?
Yes ofcourse you can.
You can also make your companion apply for the card and stay at another Taj property with his voucher, like i did once 😉
Hi Sid
Is one eligible to earn TIC points when paying via this voucher?
If yes, that will be doubly awesome.
Not sure about it, i totally ignore Taj loyalty program. Its not upto the mark!
Ok. Will check it and update it over here for anyone who prefers the loyalty program.
Yes you are eligible for TIC points. I got those. As long as booking is made through callimg the reservations or through site u get the points.
No ,you wont get the TIC points for paying through the vouchers
Taxes has to be paid only by the card or do they adjust it against the gift voucher as well (if any balance is left)? @28% GST, the taxes alone come close to 3k!
Hi Sid,
You are saying room cost is itself 9500+ tax .How you covered food bill in the over all 10K voucher?. How much extra you paid? Do we have mention we have Amex voucher while booking through call center?
No need to inform while booking,when you are checking out and settling the dues in the cash counter inform them that you want to pay through AMEX voucher
I have 2 Taj vouchers each worth 10000 from amex. Can I use both to settle the amount for single booking.
I have availed amex vouchers by booking taj fisherman cove.I got 2 vouchers worth Rs.20000 but the bill amount was 15667 with tax.The person at check out counter asked me to avail the lunch also because I have around 5000 left in my amex vouchers.Then total it came 20567 and then asked me to pay Rs.567.
Thats a nice way to use it.
I booked a stay here using amex voucher. Taj reservation agent told me that innercircle membership rate can’t be used with Amex voucher (which is 10% less) and only standard rate can be booked with Amex voucher. He said there policy changed last month for Amex vouchers
Oops, this is going to be too bad if they have this rule for Gold users too, as its 25% less.
They have shifted to evouchers for all , jist need to carefully read the TnCs to figure what the voucher can be used against
Yes, same happened with me. I was booking Taj Bangalore online but booking failed (thankfully) so I booked using call center. When I mentioned that I have vouchers, he said members rate won’t apply. So finally booked without member’s rate (did not get any TIC points as well, even for the cash I paid.)
Thankfully = Because he said if you book using member’s rate, you won’t be able to use AmEx vouchers. System will not accept AmEx vouchers on member’s rate. 20K+ would have been bad since I was staying just because my voucher’s were near expiry.
Even gold users cant take 25% off if using certain amex vouchers (especially that 10k one on the plat travel)
Sid,
I don’t think so,will make the payment during checkout in the hotel so they wont check these details and while booking no need to mention whether we will use CC or Amex vouchers for payment
That’s what I think too, but may get into problem if the billing system doesn’t take the vouchers.
You can redeem them while checkout , but only against room rate
Thats true. Its mentioned in the T&C also, you don’t get member rates in case you use Amex vouchers. This happened for my stay in Oct at a Vivavta property.
This rule only applicable to the Rs 10k voucher received on mileatone of plat travel card or any other milestone , jist read the TnCs of the voucher , the vouchers you get from point redemption(again from amex) has taxes food room rates also covered which can be used against any rate… P.S Taj gift vouchers are selling at a 10% discount, coupon code is AMEX , so for Gold members , 25% discount and another 10% if you pay by gift card instead of 7% accrual/redemption on TIC points
Are you sure? I don’t think it can correct. Maybe the agent is not fully aware?
We can book any rate online and choose pay at hotel. Taj Experiences voucher to the eyes of Taj Hotel as it is another form of payment and they wouldn’t care less how you pay. Amex vouchers are nothing but Taj Experiences gift card/evoucher. IHCL shareholders, Amex platinum members get 25% discount on room rate.
IHCL shareholders get 25% discount? Are you certain, and under what terms and conditions?
Didnt find Gold 25% great as its room only rate, no breakfast. I am not sure how much its less than travel booking sites. Even the membership rate being shown on there website is more than what MMT is giving
This has taken away the charm of Taj voucher from amex travel card. I had redeemed Amex reward points also for Taj vouchers, which also cant be used for non-standard rates. The room which I wanted to book is almost 8K more with standard rates than member rates, almost the amount of voucher 🙁
I guess that will be the same T&C for 50K Taj vouchers which they give with platinum card, and with this, there worth will be at least 20% less.
I always thought T&C should be the last thing a customer has to worry about with company like Amex and Taj!
I disagree with you on this one sir , i recently used a 9k taj voucher from the amex 18k gold collection redemption , they gladly accepted it , i had booked 3 villas at Taj Bekal using the 25% discount rate for taj gold members and they accepted it as a voucher , no questions asked , i even used 10% discounted taj vouchers bought directly from taj hotels website(woohoo.in) ones in addition to the 9k vouchers to settle my bill(7% Earning TIC points sacrificed ofcourse) , only restriction the gold reservation line mentioned was those in which the TnCs mentioned in the voucher specifically mentioned that it can be used for room rate only were restricted
So in my opinion , reading the TnCs matter , you may be right in saying that the ones issued for amex plat charge cards (35k/45k/50k) may be restricted, but need amex to clarify on that
Did you mention while booking that you will use vouchers as in my case the agent was adamant that he can’t take booking with vouchers on discounted rates, and that he has to mention while booking that it will be paid with vouchers even though he took my credit card details also? Or you just booked on website and paid with vouchers at hotel?
Did not mention to him , just asked him , he said read the TnCs , they matter the most , no problem at hotel , they just input it and said its redeemed , my Brother in Law has a 10k voucher from amex platinum travel milestone , the egift card TnC mention can be set off only against BAR rate , the amex golden carat redemption voucher was allowed against all charges except taxes
And of course the woohoo ones i bought for a 10% discount can be set off against any rate and taxes and charges … excerpts from the TnC of woohoo vouchers) …“ Valid for multiple transactions in India across Taj, SeleQtions and Vivanta hotels, and amã Stays & Trails for spends towards accommodation, dining, spa and other services and applicable taxes.”
One general query about redemption using points, Taj and elsewhere. Is the redemption always for room only, I mean not including breakfast or any other meal?