If you’re strolling along the Citibank ATM in Mandavelli, a pair of red doors will certainly grab your attention. These doors lead to the Red Lollipop hostel, a budget backpacker’s hostel located near Marina Beach, which means it’s not too far from other Chennai hotspots either. The walls outside are red and red is the theme of everything inside, too. The hostel is exactly what a traveller expects — a comfortable bed to stay in, a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and most of all, no dents on the pockets either. Phew!
You can find a mix of every colour on the rainbow here — some walls are purple, some are blue, some green — never a dull sight. In the TV room, the television has a background of pictures of a load of movies. Maps, paintings, drawings and messages from past guests adorn almost every wall here, giving it a very travel-esque theme. There’s also a comfortable common area where you can play board games and puzzles and a terrace where you can relax with your new friends or old, with a book or a deck of cards.
The hostel has a six-bed female and mixed dorm setup, each with cool, red-framed bunks and yellow ladders, en suite bathrooms, and air conditioning. Each bunk has all the linen needed, along with plug points (yes, they know you can’t live without your charged phone) and a light. They have bright orange lockers for storage and a laundry service as well, for a small charge. They also have the option of private rooms with twin beds. Price per person in a dorm room setup is INR 495.
Note: This hostel claims to be following the required safety guidelines with regular disinfection of premises and staff health checks. Going out to communal spaces, however, can still put you at some risk. We recommend you undertake all safety precautions in terms of facial masks and ample social distancing.
