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The first-time traveller's guide to Ooty: Where to stay, eat and what to do in this beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu

By Saumyaa Vohra

There’s a calm about hill stations that ebbs over the years; crowds thicken, and the local culture simply must respond by adding more and more metropolitan elements to an otherwise laid-back, sleepy hilltop town. The miracle of Ooty (short for ‘Udhagamandalam’) in Tamil Nadu is that it has managed to preserve that precious sleepiness, while still not being devoid of a quality experience. The beautiful Southern hills have an old-world charm that is near-impossible to come upon in 2022, and still enough quaint cafes, nature-centric activities, and world-class chocolateries to put a firm fence between quiet and ‘boring’...

Savoy, Ooty-IHCL SeleQtions

There’s really only one decision to make when you’re choosing a place to set up base in Ooty; are you after a hotel with your creature comforts, or is a cute BnB with the character more your vibe? If you answered with the former, you’ll like the Savoy, Ooty-IHCL SeleQtions , a heritage hotel that’s been a landmark in the cloud-covered hills of Ooty since 1829. You’ll find yourself surrounded by flora (over 150 kinds) at the 40 key hotel, which has lovely cottages beside the Nilgiris tea estates and a lovely colonial-style restaurant perfect for evenings that you don’t want to step out for a meal. Sterling Ooty Elk Hill is a good four-star second choice, set at 7,349 feet above sea level; ergo arresting views and–bonus–a fabulous pool. However, if the latter seems a better fit, there’s no dearth of great AirBnBs you can check out; try looking specifically for StayVista at The Berg (2BR w/ Bkfst and Valley View) which is a stunning space that can house six guests, or the Stayvista@Lilly Premium 4BHK Villa if you’re looking for a modern, art deco space instead.

Earl’s Secret 

Begin, as one should, with a breakfast of champion; and of piping hot dosas and fluffy idlis at The Garden Restaurant in Charing Cross. Lunch places are aplenty; you could do Curry and Rice in Fern Hill if you’re feeling like some Armenian food, or Hyderabad Biryani House in Elk Hill if you’re craving some spicy rice and tender mutton. Choose from its myriad cafes from your 5 pm java; Earl’s Secret in Marlimund is a stunning glass house that makes for gorgeous pictures to go with its gorgeous Scotch Eggs and Pasta Primavera, while Ooty Coffee House is old-school, with a filter coffee that will sire refills. There’s also Nahar's Sidewalk Cafe , if truly quaint and old-world Ooty with a touch of yesteryear warmth–and woodfired pizza–is what you’re after. If Chinese sounds good for dinner, head to Shinkows for some Chopsuey and Chilli Buff, or try Ascot Multi-Cuisine Restaurant for a sit-down meal of hot-off-the-grill barbecue. End the night by nipping into Kingstar Confectionery for a boxful of those famous Ooty chocolates; and one for the road, of course.

Moddy’s Chocolates

Sure, you can get a lot of lovely handicrafts, clothes and decor in Ooty; but you’d be remiss if you didn’t segment a good part of your day for some chocolate shopping. The handmade chocolates in Ooty are exquisite; easily our answer to Flanders or Glarus (the homes of Callebaut and Läderach respectively). Stop by the famous Moddy’s Chocolates for their Irish Cream truffles and Raspberry BonBons, or M&N Chocolate Museum for some exquisite bean-to-bar. If it's a market you’re after, Lower Bazaar Road is great for quality fabrics, while Tibetan Market is souvenir central; piled high with stunning shawls and avant-garde handicrafts. Chamraj Tea Shop and Doddabetta Tea Factory Souvenir Shoppe both bode well if you’d like to pick up some of the estate’s finest to brew back home. But any book lover must make the Ooty Higginbothams a high-priority stop; the beautiful Victorian-style bookstore is packed with all the popular and rare(r) books your heart could desire.

Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train

By Sanjana Ray

By Umaima Saeed

By Priyadarshini Patwa

There’s a good chance your agenda entails nothing more than weekending with great books and fresh-off-the-stove chai. However, if you tend to run active on vacations, the sweet little town has enough excursions in keeping with its storybook setting that make for a lovely afternoon. Start with a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train , a 46 km journey through a UNESCO World Heritage Site replete with luxuriant emerald forests enveloping you throughout. People drawn to water will enjoy both the Pykara Waterfall and the Pykara lake , with summer speedboat rides that will warrant pictures in a vacation scrapbook. You might dub this an off-brand Tussauds, but The Wax World Museum , set in a 130 year old Colonial Mansion, is actually an Indian history edit that’s quite interesting. Stop by the ​​bamboo Toda Huts , where the local tribes of Ooty live, and end with a detour to Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint , situated 1550 metres above sea level for unfettered views of the tea plantations.

Closest Airport: Coimbatore

How to get there: Drive from Coimbatore airport (88 kilometres away)

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Reconnect with nature at Conde Nast Traveller rated top 10 plantation stays

Photo gallery for reconnect with nature at conde nast traveller rated top 10 plantation stays.

Overview of Reconnect with nature at Conde Nast Traveller rated top 10 plantation stays

Popular amenities.

• Breakfast included Breakfast included Breakfast included

Check out the area

• Popular Location Ooty Lake 39 min drive
• Popular Location Ooty Rose Garden 40 min drive
• Popular Location Doddabetta Peak 48 min drive

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 16), 7 bathrooms, about this property, property manager.

Hospitality Expert ROYSTON: BBQ, Bonfire & Chef

Sree Harshav Cottage, Kodamala

Private bedrooms with attached bathroom,Coonoor

Luxe Family Villa - Tea Estate and Forest Hill View from the Balcony!

NORSUSTAY a villa with a view of Ooty valley, Pet Friendly

Rose Garden Enclave for Families and executives ooty

MEETING JOINT AT OOTY

Norsu Cabin

Lynfields leisure

Luxurious Stay at Vachi's Belvedere, a lavish 4BHK retreat nestled in Ooty

House rules, damage and incidentals, important information, you need to know, we should mention, about the neighborhood.

What's nearby

• Sim's Park - 35 min drive
• Ooty Lake - 39 min drive
• Ooty Rose Garden - 40 min drive
• Government Botanical Gardens - 42 min drive
• Doddabetta Peak - 48 min drive

Getting around

• Kateri Station - 27 min drive

Restaurants

• Chamraj Tea Center - 23 min drive
• Amutha Surabhi - 20 min drive
• Ganesh Tea Stall - 19 min drive
• Tea Factory - 27 min drive
• Udhayam Unavagham - 20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

As of Mar 30, 2024, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Reconnect with nature at Conde Nast Traveller rated top 10 plantation stays on Apr 1, 2024 start from $88.36, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Situated in the mountains, this cottage is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Nilgiri Hills and within 20 mi (32 km) of Laws Falls and Sim's Park. Pasteur Institute and Sri Mariamman Temple are also within 20 mi (32 km).

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