Planning a Stay: Who Can Stay and How to Book

Because the Club is a welfare institution rather than a public hotel, admission is tied to the seafaring community, and the rules are simple. A serving seafarer is welcomed on production of a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate with the requisite sea service. A trainee is admitted on a valid INDOS number, a passport and a recommendation letter from the training institute. Sponsored and external guests are also welcome at the guest tariff, and are verified at check-in like everyone else. The requirements exist for one reason, which is to keep the house true to its purpose. Booking is straightforward. Rooms can be reserved through the Club's online portal, or by telephone and WhatsApp on +91 96770 01014, or by email at bookings.sfc@gmail.com. The front office keeps regular hours from Monday to Saturday, while the front desk runs around the clock for guests already in house. The Club sits at Rajaji Salai, Chennai 600 001, opposite the Reserve Bank of India, a short distance from the harbour it was built to serve. For any query relating to a current or past booking, quoting the booking reference helps the desk pull up the details directly. Whether it is a single night between voyages, a long stay while preparing for an examination, or a family room ashore, the Club has a place for the merchant mariner who comes through its doors.