A town known for its diversely gorgeous weather and the scenic beauty that every season brings in, Ooty is one place you cannot miss. Amongst the dewy mornings that blanket the hills of this hill station, is a culture that was shaped by history. Ooty served as a vacation spot for the British Raj in India and while they left, the essence and heritage of the time long gone is still a part of the buildings, walkways, and cottages in this place.
Speaking of buildings and cottages, one way to take any trip up by a few notches would be to feel like you are at home, while you explore a beautiful-but-strange place. So, this time around, why not ditch your conventional hotels and stay in a homestay? After all, Ooty offers homestays for every budget and taste with the added attraction of colonial architecture.
From designed villas to colonial bungalows, choosing a single homestay on this hill station is quite a task. So, keep on reading our list of the best homestays in Ooty to decide which one will be the best for you.
If you’re looking for a place in Ooty that lets you stay near the hustle and bustle of the city, but away from its noises, Reflections Homestay is the spot for you. Enveloped by trees and surrounded by well-maintained lawns, this place is the best for families and solo travelers going around on a budget.
This homestay is enveloped by a forest which you get to see first-hand from the 13-minute walk from the Thread Garden. Once you get there, you’re pampered as a guest of Reflections Homestay by the extensive book collection here, from which you can borrow a book and enjoy it from the balconies in every room.
Food Availability: The hosts of this homestay offer a succulent English/Irish Breakfast. For other meals, you can visit one of the many restaurants in the area. Some of the more famous ones are Malabar Restaurant, Tummy&Me, and Ooty Lake View Restaurant.
Accessibility: Reflections Guest House is about 3 km away from the railway station as well as the bus stop. If you’re flying into the area, you’ll have to land at the Coimbatore International Airport, which is about 56 km away from the property. Roads leading to this area are decent and you get free parking too!
Ideal For: Families and solo travelers.
Pet Friendliness: Yes, pets are welcomed at this property.
Rate: Prices start at INR 1,229 per night.
Location: 1/B, N Lake Road, near Thunder World, Kathadimattam, Ooty.
If you’re traveling on a budget and looking for something out of the ordinary, Khems Camp lets you experience Ooty in a flavor that you’ll not find anywhere else. While it is set on the lawns of Sunshine Bungalow, this homestay lets you stay in tents equipped with air pillows, sleeping bags, and lighting equipment.
However, you have access to the entire villa, including the washrooms and the kitchen. With this provision, Khems Camp lets you feel like you are living in a homestay even though you are staying in a tent.
Food Availability: Unfortunately, there is no amenity in this location that lets you cook or have somebody cook for you. However, the host has some great recommendations and will lead you to them, or order some food in.
Accessibility: Khems Camp is only 1.5 km away from the Udhagamandalam Railway Station and is very well connected to the attractions in Ooty as well. You can walk from the station or hop on one of the rickshaws available at the station.
Ideal For: Backpackers and group travelers.
Pet Friendliness: No, this property does not welcome pets of any kind.
Rate: Around INR 1,811 per night.
Location: Woodcock Road, Ooty.
Also read: Ooty Travel Guide
Dar Es Abu is a huge home in a gated community that can easily accommodate six guests at a time. If you’re traveling with a group, this can also be a very budget-friendly stay. It is located in the heart of Ooty and has the view of a beautiful boathouse, making you feel like you’re in an old Swedish movie!
There is a small gazebo present on the premises that you can access. However, you have to ask the host for permission before going there. Talking about food, you might have to go out at least once a day for some.
Food Availability: While the guests themselves do not have the chance to cook, the hosts stay in a bungalow right beside the guests’ place and offer mind-blowing home-style food. That being said, North Lake Road is right next to the town center, putting you in the vicinity of a lot of great restaurants. So, food isn’t much of an issue here.
Accessibility: This place is located about 3.5 km away from the railway station. You can easily get a rickshaw. You can also navigate to this location rather conveniently if you are driving yourself. You get free parking inside the compound, making it safe and clean for your vehicles too.
Ideal For: Families and groups.
Pet Friendly: No, this property does not welcome pets.
Rate: Around INR 2,717 per night.
Location: North Lake Road, next to Woodcock Road, Ooty
Located on the side of a hill with panoramic views of the main town, Belle Vue Homestay is one of the most scenic places in Ooty that you can stay at. One benefit that this place has over a lot of other homestays is that because of its location, Belle Vue Homestay gives you the chance of exploring places in Ooty that are not very well known by tourists as well.
The caretaker of this house is known for their friendliness. Guests often vouch for their availability and impeccable restaurant recommendations. The creme de la creme of this homestay is the terrace that overlooks the town of Ooty, giving you the chance to have a rejuvenating cup of tea with the entire town!
Food Availability: This place does not let the guests cook for themselves. However, you can either visit one of the few restaurants in the vicinity or have some food delivered to the place. Talking to the host can arrange both of those things.
Accessibility: Belle Vue Homestay is less than 2 km away from Fernhill Railway Station as well as Udagamandalam Railway Station. You can hop on a bus, get a rickshaw, or drive yourself. However, driving is the easiest way to get here.
Ideal For: Couples and travel groups. Business groups can also arrange for workations here.
Pet Friendly: No, this property does not welcome pets.
Rate: Around INR 3,680.
Location: 189/9, Welback House Road, Patna House, Ooty
Located about 2,500 meters above sea level, Logan Camp is a beautiful homestay that is in the middle of a tea farm! Rest assured, your definition of ‘bed-tea’ will change once you visit this place and have some of theirs with the beautiful southern western ghats as your view. The best part is, you’ll get to enjoy these views from one of the many colonial cottages on this property.
Logan Camp takes care of everything their guests want. From sports like tennis, badminton, and cycling, to children’s play areas and birdbaths in the tea garden, they have everything. If you are a couple or a family that just wants to get away from the noise and crowd, this is just the place for you.
Food Availability: Authentic home-cooked Tamilian food is available on site in vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian preparations. The guests are not allowed to cook. However, the hosts present amazing food upon request.
Accessibility: Logan Camp is located in Bicketty, East of Woodcock Road. The Ketti Railway Station is about 5 km away from the homestay. You can opt for public transportation, or drive yourself. Fortunately, the property is easy to locate and the roads are in good condition.
Ideal For: Couples and families.
Pet Friendly: No, pets are not welcome on this property.
Rate: Starts at INR 2,500 onwards.
Location: Bicketty, Ooty.
Located in the heart of a town shaped by the heritage passed on by the British, Marlborough Homestay puts you in a bungalow that is more than a hundred years old! The house, with all its quirks and features, is testimony to the colonial architecture and ingenuity of the people building it.
In fact, all the verandahs and windows in this place are placed such that you get the best possible view of the gardened, manicured lawns, and the landscape that acts as a backdrop to it all. You’re sure to get a lot of corners to click some Gram-worthy pictures!
Food Availability: The hosts on this property are very hospitable and will have food available upon request. Generally, there is a fixed menu. However, you may get a few dishes prepared if asked well in advance.
Accessibility: This property is very well connected to the city of Ooty. It is less than 2 km away from the railway station and bus stop. In case you want to drive to the property, their website has very clear directions. So, it is safe to say that you can get here very easily.
Ideal For: Families and groups.
Pet Friendly: No, this property does not welcome pets.
Rate: Starts at INR 2,500 onwards.
Location: 123, Havelock Road, Bandisholai, Ooty.
Also read: 7 Best Luxury Hotels In Ooty For A Romantic Getaway
A spacious villa away from the hustle and bustle of Ooty, with eight spacious bedrooms and kid-friendly amenities, Green Mount is the perfect place for a quiet family getaway.
The best part of this property is its open spaces and nook and crannies that allow you and your children enough time and freedom to capture a corner and spend your time with yourself, or with the beautiful sunsets that paint this place in a beautiful shade every evening. One thing that you must remember is that this is more of a ‘bed and breakfast’ than a full-fledged homestay. So, you might not find a lot of creature comforts in the area.
Food Availability: This location is often described as a ‘bed and breakfast’. So, food is definitely available. However, you can also speak to the hosts to arrange food that is not on the menu.
Accessibility: This property is about 26 km away from the main city of Ooty, but the isolation adds to the charm. Getting a cab might be a little expensive. However, you have buses going this way, dropping you off at a walkable distance of the property.
Ideal For: Solo travelers, couples, and families.
Pet Friendly: Yes, this property is welcoming to pets.
Rate: Starts at INR 4,500 onwards.
Location: Ooty Main Road, Aravankadu.
Located right at the entrance of the town, Reuben’s Homestay is a great place to stay if you want access to the attractions inside Ooty, as well as the ones that are around city limits. On the other hand, if you’re traveling with your family and want a spot where your children can run around, this guesthouse provides the space for that too!
The thing is, this place was built as a family home, and even with its run as a business, it has managed to maintain that homey charm. Reuben’s Homestay is truly the perfect combination of modern amenities and traditional architecture.
Food Availability: Reuben’s Homestay lets you have some creative freedom in the kitchen; guests are allowed to cook in this establishment, However, if you don’t want to cook, there is an in-house chef who can cook up some lip-smacking dishes upon request.
Accessibility: This establishment is about 3.5 km away from the center of Ooty. You can easily get a rickshaw or taxi from the railway station. If you plan on driving yourself, this property also offers covered parking for its guests.
Ideal For: Families and couples.
Pet Friendly: No, this property does not welcome pets.
Rate: Starts at INR 6,400 onwards.
Location: Bombay Kastel Road, Ooty.
As its name suggests, Hilltop Cottage is located on top of a hill surrounded by the mountains of the Western Ghats. It is also surrounded by majestic forests that are painted in all colors of paradise every sunset. The thing is, this place is not just a treat to the eyes, it is a treat to the ears as well, with the sound of a waterfall that plays its melodies very close to the cottage.
Once inside the cottage, you are greeted by cozy rooms with windows pointing towards the scenic landscapes that surround you. Around mealtime, you are welcomed by a dining hall that has a fireplace. Speaking of meals, you can order yours from an in-house chef that is amazing at serving a variety of local delicacies.
Food Availability: Hilltop Cottage offers its guests beautiful home-cooked local delicacies for their guests. Food is available at the premises in both, vegetarian and non-vegetarian preparations. However, only breakfast is included in the base price. So, you can get a meal for additional charges.
Accessibility: This property is located about 30 km away from the center of the city. However, Coonor Railway Station is only at a distance of 22 km. The local bus station is called Ramchand Bus Stop and is only 7 km away from this property.
Ideal For: Families and groups.
Pet Friendly: No, you might not be able to take your pets on this property.
Rate: Starts at INR 6,500 onwards.
Location: Fern Hills, Ooty.
Have you ever imagined living in a house surrounded by beautiful, dew-filled fields that find their way into tall, lush pine trees, just like in an old Bollywood movie? Pine View Stay will make that fantasy of yours come true for the duration of your stay. Getting to this place is easy and the best part is that it is out of the town’s limits.
Once you get there, you have large windows that look out to the many beautiful landscapes surrounding Pine View Stay. You can also grab a seat on the patio and sip coffee while your kids unwind on the well-maintained lawns. If you’re looking for a vacation away from the commercial part of Ooty, without the noise of it, Pine View Stay is where you want to stay!
Food Availability: There is a restaurant on-site that serves amazing Asian, Chinese, and Indian food. The best part is, all of this is on a buffet system, meaning you can eat to your heart’s content without waiting at all. Moreover, some rooms are equipped with a kitchenette so you can practice the art of cooking on your own too!
Accessibility: This property is only about 2.2 km away from the Ooty Bus Station and around 1.6 km away from Ooty Lake. It is very easy to find via maps and the local taxi/rickshaw drivers will drop you off just as easily.
Ideal For: Couples and families.
Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome on this property.
Rate: Starts at INR 6,000 onwards.
Location: Fingerpost, Ooty.
Also read: 12 Things You Must Do In Ooty For A Trip Worth Remembering
Summing Up
We have already established how beautiful Ooty is. It is no surprise that bringing the comfort of home to such a welcoming place is a great idea for a trip with your special someone, family, or even just you. It lets you unwind and relax in the truest sense of the words while giving you the ability to plan your days and execute them according to your will.
So, why not ditch the normal, commercial, strange feeling hotel for something much more personal? Most of these homestays are actually someone’s home. Meaning you might just bump into the perfect person to accompany you through your trip in this former royal vacation town. We seriously recommend choosing one of the places on this list, booking your tickets, and packing your bags for a trip to the best homestays in Ooty!
What Is The Best Time To Visit Ooty?
Ooty is a place that welcomes visitors every day of the year. However, the peak of the summer season can be uncomfortable to some, while the peak of winters might be uncomfortable to others. So, the ideal time to visit Ooty would be between April and June or September and November.
Why Is Ooty So Famous?
Mostly famous for its tea plantations, Ooty also gets its fair share of hype from the lush greenery that covers the verdant hills and hillsides that most people in the area call home.
Is There Snowfall In Ooty?
Due to its geographical location as well as climatic conditions, Ooty sees temperatures that are lower than average. However, they mostly swing between 5°C and 23°C. This means that Ooty doesn’t really experience snowfall.
What Food Is Famous In Ooty?
When it comes to items that you can eat or drink, the first thing all of us think of when we think of Ooty is tea. However, you can also try things like the fresh strawberries, the local bakery dishes, and a special delicacy called Avial.
What Are The Other Names Of Ooty?
Currently, the only name for this location is Ooty. However, in the early 1800s, this place was called ‘Ootacamund’, which is the root of the name Ooty. This name was changed in 1972 to ’Udhagamandalam’ before being changed to what it is today.
Are Two Days Enough To Explore Ooty?
No. Given the size of the hill station and the amount of tourist attractions there are, two days will not be enough to explore Ooty.
Is Ooty Worth Visiting?
The lush green-cover and beautiful landscapes make the hill station absolutely worth visiting. Moreover, the accommodations in Ooty are beautiful and peaceful, making it much better.
When Is Ooty Crowded?
April to June are generally the busiest months in Ooty as summer seasons bring a lot of visitors to the cool and calm place.
