Family-friendly: Sullivan Court
As long as you don’t expect too much, this ITC Fortune hotel is what is politely called ‘good for the price’. The modest rooms are clean and comfortable; the lawn-facing ones are better. The staff tries hard; the breakfast spread is well-liked; the Rose Garden is just a shout away. The ‘convenient’ location still manages to spare guests Ooty’s infamous noise levels but there aren’t any views to wow. Tariff Rs 5,200 onwards Contact 0423-2441415, fortunehotels.in
Picturesque: King’s Cliff
A steep driveway lined with gnarled old trees leads to a Raj-era bungalow steeped in quaint memorabilia, on a lawn profuse with flowers. A glass-encased restaurant has an astonishingly long menu (seems all of Ooty comes here for a fine dining experience) and fresh strawberries from the owners’ farm. The rooms are atmospheric (brass bed, brick-lined fireplace) and the sweeping vistas magnificent. Tariff Rs 2,800 onwards Contact 2452888-9, littlearth.in
Peaceful: Sherlock
What this property lacks in spectacular views, it makes up with its sigh-worthy quietness. There’s more than a little whimsical humour in this ode to Mr Holmes, with rooms called ‘Dancing Men’ and ‘Copper Beeches’. The main building is over 80 years old. Get a luxury room if you want a view; the semi-deluxe options, though more affordable, have none, and ‘Black Peter’ and ‘Gloria Scott’ open on to the dining room. Tariff Rs 2,850 onwards Contact 2452888-9, littlearth.in
Old-world: Taj Savoy
It’s difficult to imagine, but the Savoy used to be a school. In 1841, it became Ooty’s first hotel. It hosted VIPs and has since changed hands, but remains a warm place, rich with muted lime-and-mortar interiors and lovingly tended gardens. Rooms in the main building aren’t standardised; suite 103 even has two bathrooms. Ooty is cold even in summer, so enjoy the real wood fireplace and sumptuous Nilgiri cuisine Tariff Rs 5,500 onwards Contact 2225500, tajhotels.com
Home-style: The Bungalow In Ooty
One of Tranquilitea’s ‘responsible holidays’, set upon an over-run hill above the Race Course Road behind dense foliage, this is less of a hotel and more of a welcoming home. The three rooms are spacious and well-outfitted: perfect for families and friends renting the entire bungalow. Bay windows overlook a modest garden. The caretaker bustles about cheerfully, cooks whatever you like, and gives you insider tips on Ooty. Tariff Rs 2,500 per room Contact 9443841572, tranquilitea.in
Luxury: Fernhills Palace
The summer palace of the maharajas of Mysore, the 40-acre grounds are dense with breathtakingly tall fern trees. The wind gurgles like a waterfall in them. The vast lobby (former Durbar Hall) and long corridors lined with sepia images contrast with a compact restaurant (ask for local and Anglo-Indian dishes). Run by WelcomHeritage, the all-suite rooms are opulent and every bath has a jacuzzi. Tariff Rs 9,000 onwards Contact 2443910-15, welcomheritagehotels.com