In the tranquil dawn of the Nilgiris, where mist clings to tea-scented slopes and birdsong fills the fir forests, five colonial-era hotels stand as living reminders of life during the British Raj. Some of these hotels were built or occupied by British officers, planters, or royals, while others were constructed with the grandeur typical of colonial architecture. Each property preserves a unique aspect of Raj life—featuring stone walls, teak wood beams, open fireplaces, verandas, and gardens—while also offering a blend of modern comfort and discreet luxury. If you are planning a trip to the enchanting landscapes of the Nilgiris, explore this list of the best colonial-style hotels in the region. Staying in any one of them is like stepping into a page of history brought back to life.
The Savoy, born as Dawson’s Hotel in 1841 on the site of a missionary school, is Ooty’s grand old hostelry. Its early teak‑wood beams—a legacy from Tipu Sultan’s palace—were hauled by elephants along the ghats, now visible in rooms 101–103 as silent, carved reminders of bygone craftsmanship. Over six acres of lawns speckled with roses, firs and eucalyptus cradle forty cottages and rooms, each with a working fireplace and views of greenery mingled with mist.
Inside, the air is thick with stories: Edward VII once rested here in 1875; Mohammed Ali Jinnah and his wife lodged in what is now the SeleQtions Suite; and filmmakers like David Lean and Harold Robbins recorded their footprints in the guest log. Replica high teas on the lawn and late‑evening single malt tastings—curated with local Nilgiri tea mixology—extend the romance of the past into the present.
Address: 77, Sylks Rd, Monterosa Colony, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643001
Tariff: Starts at INR 17,000 per night
Nestled among the rolling slopes of Paradise Hill's tea estates, The Sanctuary is a charming two-suite colonial planter’s bungalow constructed entirely of stone. It is beautifully furnished with teak and rosewood, featuring bay windows and a sweeping verandah that overlooks valleys and mist-covered hills. Designed only for single-family stays one at a time, the bungalow ensures complete privacy, accommodating only one group at a time. It forgoes Wi-Fi and television in favor of nature, tranquility, and leisurely conversations.
The dining experience here is quietly theatrical, featuring Anglo-Indian and regional menus that bring together the flavours of Kongu-Nad, Chettinaad, and Badaga traditions. This culinary experience is presented by an in-house team in a sunlit dining room or on the lawn. Activities are deeply rooted in the surrounding area, including tea estate walks, honey hunting with Kurumba tribespeople, bird watching, and a slow, meaningful immersion in the ecology and heritage of the Nilgiris.
Address: The Sanctuary, Pillur Muttam 643238, The Nilgiris.
Tariff: INR 15,000 per night plus taxes
Originally built in 1844 by Captain F. Cotton as a private country residence, Fernhills Palace soon became the summer retreat of the Maharaja of Mysore. Styled like a Swiss chalet, the palace is instantly recognisable for its carved wooden bargeboards, ornamental ironwork, steep roofs, and its fifty acres of manicured gardens, cedars, firs and lawns that frame the alpine silhouette of the façade.
Today a WelcomHeritage property, it comprises nineteen regal suites—Executive, Deluxe, Luxury and a Maharaja Suite—each with a private sitting chamber, dressing room, bathroom (many with Jacuzzi), and fireplaces that glow through chilly nights. The grand ballroom beneath a papier‑mâché ceiling, the library, and Curry & Rice restaurant serving Anglo‑Indian and Nilgiri fare imbue the experience with stately charm and refined hospitality.
Address: Ferrnhills Post, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643004
Tariff: Starts at INR 13,000 per night
A compact jewel in the Mount Pleasant quarter of Ooty, The Bungalow in Ooty is a three‑bedroom early 20th‑century colonial villa, each room having a working fireplace, teak and rosewood appointments, and bay‑window views opening to a manicured garden overlooking the famous race course. Rented whole to one party, the house is intimate and private, with its own dining room, drawing‑room and house team to ensure attentive service.
Meals follow a regional storyline: breakfast and dinner inspired by the cuisines of local communities, including the Badagas, served on a set menu by the in‑house team. Guests can explore heritage walks, tea‑tastings, local forest and plantation walks or arrange excursions to Ooty, Coonoor and Kotagiri with curated guidance.
Address: The Bungalow in Ooty, 160 Davis Dale, Ooty
Tariff: Starts at INR 7,000 plus taxes
On the fringes of Coonoor lies Gateway Coonoor, a colonial‑style hotel that fuses wood‑floor lounges, fireplace nooks, antique furniture and sweeping views of Nilgiri green into a contemporary hospitality offering under the Taj umbrella. Its architecture pays homage to planter‑era aesthetics—heavy timber, shuttered windows and verandahs—yet delivers discreet luxury and modern service.
Here, guests sip high tea on the lawns, savour farm‑to‑table Nilgiri meals, explore nature on guided walks or ease into spa and wellness programmes—all within a calm colonial shell skirted by tea gardens and hill vistas.
Address: Upper Coonoor, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, 643101, India
Tariff: Starts at INR 10,000 per night
