The Gateway Hotel

On top of the hill beside the pale yellow All Saints Church in Coonoor sits the Gateway Hotel. Arriving at this delightful Raj-era collection of white cottages in old hill station country of the Western Ghats, you will be welcomed by wonderfully hospitable and considerate staff serving hot cardamom and cinnamon tea to refresh you while they sort the luggage. Originally built as Hampton Manor in 1865, the bungalows are set amidst rose and agapanthus gardens with lawns shaded by huge elegant trees. After battling the steamy, noisy and frenetic towns of the coastal plains or visiting the temples and palaces of Mysore, it comes as a relief and joy to be looked after by the platoon of young men lighting fires in the dining room, bringing hot water bottles to your bed last thing at night and mixing cocktails in the hardwood bar before dinner. The gardens provide vegetables, fruits and herbs and the chef has a light touch baking bread and making jams. The fresh tomato and coriander juice is a refreshing tonic in the morning and for dinner try the mouth watering paneer tikka lababdar, meen poondu kuzhambu or brinjal kadai masala. Yoga, badminton, a fitness centre and table-tennis for the children are all inclusive, as well as full body ayurvedic massages.