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WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace

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Traveller (260)
Room & Suite (50)
Dining (16)

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Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Other miscellaneous taxes and hotel fees which are not fixed or due at time of booking may be payable at the property at time of stay. Please see our partners for more details.

About

#51 of 123 hotels in Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
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Fernhills Palace is the summer palace of the Mysore Maharajas. It was built in 1844 by Capt. F. Cotton. It changed several hands as the time went by till mid-1860s, when it was temporarily named Moonesami and served as one of the Ooty's earliest club hotels. The year was 1873 when Ferrnhills Palace found a new royal owner. His Highness Chamarajendra Wadiyar X is the first Indian royal to buy an English holding in Ooty. Since then Ferrnhills Royale Palace has been with the Wadiyar dynasty and today it continues in the capable hands of His Highness Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar. The palace is superbly finished with Burmese teak, features a magnificent ballroom with a highly valued ornamental papier-mache ceiling.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Public wifi
Bar / lounge
Game room
Fishing
Babysitting
Airport transportation
Conference facilities
Valet parking
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Steam room
Currency exchange
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
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Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
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Hair dryer
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HOTEL STYLE
Historic Hotel
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Hindi
196Reviews5Q+A52Room tips
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bobohagan wrote a review 17 Mar
Derby, United Kingdom39 contributions29 helpful votes
The Fernhills Royal Palace is a genuine heritage hotel, and we loved it; the building itself, surroundings, furniture and fittings are truly grand, almost regal. It is not tired or outdated - it's just old of course, and in fact most of the furniture in common areas has been recently tastefully re-upholstered in keeping with the age of the palace. Staying for four nights during the shoulder season however was a disconcerting experience. The 'executive suite' we booked turned out to comprise a huge bedroom, enormous ensuite bathroom and large ante-room/lounge. Indeed, most of the rooms/suites seemed similarly generously proportioned (and lovely) but the hotel had hardly any guests during the midweek, so the centrepiece grand ballroom (including both lounge and dining room) felt like the Marie Celeste. Moreover this had a dramatic impact on the food that could be offered. With only a handful of guests, the management could not provide a buffet either for breakfast or dinner, so the a la carte dinner menu was limited and sadly the breakfast was almost non-existent, with hardly anything fresh available. The dining room staff are also poorly trained, so there is no warm welcome to be had there. The hotel has undoubtedly had some considerable investment to address some of the problems evident from past reviews, but it now needs to lower the price of rooms, especially for midweek stays (as a 'loss leader'), until it can restore a consistently high daily occupancy rate, and meanwhile train staff to be ready for the hotel to be busy. If this can be achieved, the Fernhill Royal Palace could become one of the premier destinations in this busy tourist region.
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Suzie B wrote a review Feb 2024
Perth and Kinross, United Kingdom46 contributions6 helpful votes
+1
Staying here was like stepping back in time. We stayed for 2 nights on our trip to Ooty. The hotel is from a bygone era , you really get an insight of this with all the photographs of the Royal Family when they stayed here back in the day. The property has got all its original features but is desperately in need of some love and attention to preserve it. We had no complaints about our room - large and airy , with a little sitting area and big bathroom. All the furniture was in keeping with period of the property. We found it to be very clean but because there is some dampness in the bathroom there are some marks on the ceiling. The food was very good , we had dinner one night and just a simple breakfast is as our choice, but there seemed to be a good choice for others. The few staff were very friendly and helpful. They were trying so hard to give good service but we could tell they were under a little pressure from other not so satisfied and demanding guests. I actually felt quite sorry for them. If you decide to stay here do not expect modern luxury of chain hotels and try to keep an open mind. We think you will probably forget some of the modern hotels you will stay in , but like us you will never forget your stay here ! I would say to the owners of this hotel you have great staff but you need to make some investment in your property before it’s too late. It could be an absolute gem and the star of Ooty.
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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TrishLinton wrote a review Feb 2024
London, United Kingdom105 contributions26 helpful votes
Should have read the reviews before going - joke. Shame because the location is beautiful. Thought I would have a drink in the garden, but they do not serve alcohol? Although the bar is full of alcohol? . I was offered beer - it’s being a not alcohol? I was told they’d run out 🤪. I was told I could have teal coffee only to be you told they had no tea, so I opted for coffee. I came back with tea as they found some 😳. 300 rp for a very average lukewarm tea. Was very glad I wasn’t staying here at 12000 rp a night!
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: Don’t go
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David V wrote a review Jan 2024
Arlesey, United Kingdom101 contributions41 helpful votes
This hotel should have everything going for it. The location is great and from a distance the building looks lovely. However Faulty Towers would rate a 5* in comparison!! The hotel does not have sufficient staff, and although well meaning they lacked training. The food was good but service terrible. Tables were left dirty from the previous meal, food never matched what was ordered. The building needs significant structural work. The rooms smell of damp and our bathroom ceiling was crumbling away. They have a fully stocked bar but no drinks licence...so you have to bring your own. The welcome was cold and impersonal and lacked the "heritage" expectations. All in all not a great place to stay. And based on what we paid there are far better hotels in Ooty for much less. I very rarely give such a negative review but want people to be aware before booking. will put this one down to posterity.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Avoid this hotel
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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MitMatK wrote a review Oct 2023
Kochi (Cochin), India8 contributions1 helpful vote
How should I begin - " A celebration of mediocrity". We started off on the wrong foot from the moment we landed at this property. We were "greeted" at the so called reception / lobby area (which is almost the size of my attic) by a man dressed like a pallbearer who found it extremely difficult to smile or show any warmth but rather stare back at you! When I was asked for an ID, which I readily gave, he proceeded to take a photo of it despite my repeated protests! From then on things started to go downhill very swiftly. We were not offered any welcome drinks / refreshments (mind you this is a heritage palace) which is standard across all properties of this stature. My first thoughts of the palace per se is not one of awe. The bulding though majestic is in a fragile condition with parts of it appearing to crumble. The interiors are cold and damp with a musty smell. However the old photographs from a bygone era that line the walls and the woodwork does render it a regal tone. We were taken (I won't use the word ushered) into the Kotada suite which in itself is quite nice and well appointed in the old fashion way but definitely cold & damp due to the lack of modern insulation. The man at the reception also told us that hot water will be "available" in the room from 6am to 10am and 6pm to 10pm only - now how's that for a place tagged a luxury palace?!! It seems they want to conserve the diesel in the generator - quite strange!! Anyhow we spent the rest of the day outside sigtseeing and only returned back to the hotel later at night. There was one warmer in the room which was wholly inadequate for a room of that size - but we got through the night somehow. The real disaster unfolded next day at breakfast. That is when I realized what a shambolic operation they really are. The entire place is run by complete amateurs with absolutely no clue what hospitality is about. The breakfast spread looked like a complete pig sty with bread slices on the floor, curry strewn on the table cloth and everything in complete and utter disarray. Most of the food counters did not even have any food in it. There was no labelling as to what dish was kept on the buffet table. The table we sat was filthy with food stains and no cutlery. Then about the waiters - there were two of them running helter skelter without a clue as to what was going on. Our food was served cold and in the most unhygenic way possible. The waiters were literally shouting out orders to someone standing near the kitchen. My son almost threw up after drinking the so called pineapple juice. This was simply the most disgusting and discourteous breakfast experience I've ever encountered in a hotel. The Ananda Bhavan near by would have done a better job at treating their guests. By this time I had made up my mind and I was prepared to leave. We had one more night left to stay but enough was enough I immediately asked to prepare the bill for check-out. Normally I don't type out such an elaborate review about a rotten experience but I want the management to get a proper wake-up call and realize that they are cheating their guests about this whole luxuary palace experience thing - it is nothing short of shambolic!! I paid a pretty penny to book this place via the WelcomITC call centre thinking this to be an ITC hotels property (which they advertise as) but my understanding is they only manage marketing and the hotel is run by the Wadiyar group. This in itself is cheating the customer since we don't realize the property is run by someone else. So in a nut-shell if you are booking this property thinking you're gonna get the Udaivilas or Falaknuma experience - my God you are in for a rude shock. This place goes directly to my black listed hotels list - without a doubt. Unless they revamp the whole place and bring in a lean professional management, this place will continue to earn rotten reviews. P.S - I met the hotel manager Mr Parasuram, just as I was leaving and had to give him a piece of my mind. He listened politely and sympathized but that does not change the ground reality.
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Date of stay: October 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: There is absolutely no form of recreational activities in this hotel - just a wide expansive lawn.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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rohan r wrote a review Jan 2023
Mumbai, India4 contributions6 helpful votes
Very good location, good room size, Good Breakfast, near to Market & yet peacefull place. A perfect 10 out of 10 for Vacation. Old Heritage Look with nice & clean bathroom. Suite Rooms are the best here
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Date of stay: January 2023
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Room Tip: Near to Market yet peacefull
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Moniesha V wrote a review Dec 2022
Ahmedabad, India15 contributions1 helpful vote
+1
The property is good and luxurious but there is no other development at the property. Only rooms for stay and a restaurant/cafe for dining. Our package was inclusive of breakfast but they didn't spread any buffet which is understandable due to limited guests. The breakfast was served as per our choice from the limited options given by the hotel. The options are basic and same on all days, that is something the hotel should improve upon. Moreover, Parathas are very thick, and they serve cold breakfast - Sambhar, toasts, omelet. Upon complaining about that, they said that the cook is different today which doesn't seem a valid reason. The breakfast is definitely not up to the standard of the hotel and the service is pathetic as there is only one waiter.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Dushyant D wrote a review Oct 2022
5 contributions1 helpful vote
Firstly, this review is only for the restaurant. We went to the restaurant in first week of Oct, 2022 after reading a lot of great things about it on the internet. Firstly, the menu was very limited and the options for vegetarians were even less. When we went to the restaurant, there were no other guests. There was a manager and a server who politely took our order. I ordered a kadhai Paneer and an Egg biryani. To my utter surprise, the kadhai paneer we received was kind of dry mix veg with few chunks of paneer in it. It was looking so bad that I didnt even tried it. Asked the manager if its is a kadhai paneer or a mix veg. He took it back and it was served again with some curry in it. The egg biryani was ok but was not upto the standard. By that time few more tables got occupied in the restaurant (mostly hotel guests). I finally gave up and decided to order something else as well. But there was only that poor server serving all guests who didnt knew much of hindi or english and could get what i was saying. I told him to call the manager and even after 20 minutes there was no sight of him. There was no one in the restaurant for 20 mins to whom we can communicate what we want. After 20 minutes the server come and when i asked him again to send the manager he said that he has left to attend some guests. By that time our entire mood was spoiled and we requested the server to get the bill. We left most of the food as it is, paid and left. On our way out, we bumped into that manager again and i told him that its the worst dinner experience of my life. He profusely apologized and requested me to come back and he will serve something good but we has really given up on them by then. We finally came back to main city and had dinner there.
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Date of stay: October 2022
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Anurag wrote a review Aug 2022
Bangalore District, India24 contributions3 helpful votes
+1
A beautiful heritage hotel with a huge land parcel and own forest. Stroll around and look at the beauty if this place and the valley from the back of the hotel. If you are not fond of the heritage property then avoid as the rooms are symbol of culture. Dont expect the luxury of a modern hotel room. Though we had a huge Jacuzzi in our room. If you are fond of huge breakfast and lunch/dinner buffet then again dont stay here. They have limited number of rooms and hence very limited number of guests which means not so ellorate spread for breakfast and other meals. Having said that the food spread is not bad, food taste is good and its always super hot. No complaints on that if you keep your expectations right. Staff is good and accommodating, a bit slow as they need to navigate through the never-ending beautiful walkways and lobbies of the palace. There is billiards table and carom for entertainment. Overall a nice family stay.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: Dont opt for smoking rooms as the smell does never go away due to the character of the room
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Girish Kumar Hargovind wrote a review Jun 2022
Nagpur, India163 contributions86 helpful votes
We have visited this more than a century old British Bungalow converted into a palace n now a hotel few times in the past for lunch / Evening tea but never stayed there. This time we decided to stay there n experience Royalty. It's a 3 star hotel with all modern facilities available in a typical Palace suite. Enjoyed the stay which was comfortable . The interiors have been done up in very bright colors typical of those days but it boast of all modern comfort with a touch of Royalty. Since it is located at one end of Ooty above the lake in it's own large estate, it is very quiet n peaceful. One must stay here atleast for overnite to get the royal experience. The food is good so is the service. The entire staff is very courteous n prompt in serving the guest. A minor observation.....the management must think of making provision for exhaust in the Toilets so that the toilet remain dry at all times. Over all a comfortable n Royal experience.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
₹7,047 - ₹12,270 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
IndiaTamil NaduThe Nilgiris DistrictOoty (Udhagamandalam)
NUMBER OF ROOMS
19
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Other miscellaneous taxes and hotel fees which are not fixed or due at time of booking may be payable at the property at time of stay. Please see our partners for more details.
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WELCOMHERITAGE FERNHILLS ROYAL PALACE (Ooty (Udhagamandalam)) - Hotel Reviews, Photos, Rate Comparison - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace
Which popular attractions are close to WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace?
Nearby attractions include Upper Bhavani Lake (3.3 km), Avalanche Lake (0.8 km), and Government Botanical Garden (3.6 km).
What are some of the property amenities at WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace?
Yes, free parking and valet parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace?
Conveniently located restaurants include Ascot Multi Cuisine Restaurant at Ooty, The Periodic Table, and Le Cafe.
Does WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace have airport transportation?
Yes, WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers meeting rooms, a banquet room, and conference facilities.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Hindi.