Top 5 Historically Influenced Nilgiris Hotels Worth Your Overnight Stay
Nestled in the picturesque hills of Tamil Nadu, the Nilgiris region is home to several colonial-style hotels that offer a unique blend of historical significance and modern comforts. These heritage properties, scattered across Ooty and Coonoor, transport guests back in time while providing a comfortable stay.
One such gem is The Bungalow in Ooty, a three-bedroom early 20th-century colonial villa. Located at 160 Davis Dale, Ooty, this charming bungalow offers a dining room, drawing-room, and a dedicated house team for attentive service. Each room boasts a working fireplace, teak and rosewood appointments, and bay-window views. The tariff starts at INR 7,000 per night plus taxes.
Another noteworthy hotel is Fernhills Royal Palace, a colonial-era hotel in Ooty, constructed as a palace. Now a WelcomHeritage property, it is instantly recognizable for its carved wooden bargeboards, ornamental ironwork, steep roofs, and manicured gardens. The palace, originally built in 1844, was later the summer retreat of the Maharaja of Mysore. It offers nineteen regal suites, each with a private sitting chamber, dressing room, bathroom, and fireplaces. The tariff starts at INR 13,000 per night.
In Coonoor, Gateway Coonoor stands on the fringes of the town. Under the Taj umbrella, it delivers discreet luxury and modern service while paying homage to planter-era aesthetics. The hotel offers wood-floor lounges, fireplace nooks, antique furniture, and sweeping views of Nilgiri green. The tariff starts at INR 10,000 per night.
For those seeking a more secluded stay, The Sanctuary in Coonoor is a colonial planter's bungalow nestled among tea estates. This property, designed for single-family stays, forgoes Wi-Fi and television, offering a digital detox experience. The tariff is INR 15,000 per night plus taxes.
The list of colonial-style hotels in the Nilgiris doesn't end here. Sinclairs Retreat, situated at 8000 feet and the highest hotel in South India, offers scenic valley views, several room categories, fine dining, recreational facilities, and a spa.
Lastly, The Savoy, originally Dawson's Hotel, built in 1841 in Ooty, India, is another iconic hotel. Its teak-wood beams were transported by elephants along the ghats. The hotel is known for its replica high teas and late-evening single malt tastings. Edward VII, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, and filmmakers like David Lean and Harold Robbins have stayed at The Savoy. Its tariff starts at INR 17,000 per night.
These colonial-style hotels in the Nilgiris are more than just places to stay; they are a journey back in time, offering a glimpse into the region's rich colonial history. The combination of historical ambiance and modern services offers guests a unique experience connecting to the Nilgiris' colonial past.
- For budget-conscious travelers seeking a taste of history, The Bungalow in Ooty, with its affordable tariff starting at INR 7,000 per night, provides an immersive experience into the region's colonial past.
- For those seeking adventure, exploration can extend beyond the Nilgiris' picturesque hills to its home-and-garden hotels, such as The Sanctuary in Coonoor, which offers a digital detox experience among tea estates.
- The Nilgiris' colonial-style hotels, ranging from The Savoy, with its iconic heritage and teak-wood beams, to the luxury of Gateway Coonoor and Fernhills Royal Palace, make an ideal starting point for cultural-travel and adventure-travel enthusiasts, as these hotels transport guests back in time and offer a unique blend of historical significance, modern comforts, and seamless services.
