Sree Harshav Cottages

The main drawback is that there's nothing within walking distance because it's a bit far from town. That was fine for us since we had a car, but it would be a problem without transport arranged. We stayed a couple of days with our kids in May 2017. The rooms were decent, the property had a nice outdoor ambiance, and the location was excellent, away from congested Connor town and right among tea plantations. The staff were caring, and the cook could make great home-cooked food to suit our tastes.

We spent most of our time on the lovely lawn, which has a swing. Mrs.Radhika and her team cooked homely food, and all the dishes were very good, especially the pepper chicken. Thanks to Mr.Ajay and Mr.Vijay for helping us book toy train tickets from Coonoor to Ooty, another highlight of the trip. The rooms were standard, but the stay was comfortable and reasonably priced. Best wishes to the whole team running this small estate stay.

The staff were polite, though mostly unskilled, and the wooden design and layout suggest the place may once have been put together with taste. As of Aug'22, though, the upkeep was very poor, and it seemed overpriced. We had five rooms, including a ground-floor one that was hopeless; the first-floor rooms were better. Peeling paint, aging bathrooms, and dusty decor made the property feel neglected. The ground-floor bathroom was dirty, and the tap water was so muddy that I didn't feel like bathing and could barely bring myself to wash my hands. I don't know how they can rent a room with plumbing like that. The first-floor room I moved to later didn't have that problem. The grounds are very small, with little to do except drive out or walk to nearby Lamb's rock, and there's no activity at the hotel, not even a hike or evening bonfire. The view is limited from the hotel because there's a forest just across the windows. This isn't jungle living, just a modest tea garden estate. Food was expensive and basic. The complimentary breakfast was limited to that day's South Indian fare, with no bread or eggs. Chicken was the only non-veg option, besides eggs that ran out on day two, and the chicken pieces were always nugget-sized. Charging Rs 400 for paneer bhurji and two rotis was atrocious. There was no hot water kettle or tea setup in the room, something I'd expect at Rs4250/- per room. In Coonnoor, better options are available for the same or less money.

The cottage worked well for a small group, no more than 10 people, with three per room, and Mr.Hari ramakrishnan keeps it well maintained. We stayed on 20 N,21,22,and 23M of March 2018. The location and surroundings were good, as were the parking, wifi, smart TV, cleanliness, garden, and option to order food. One downside was that the cottage had no watchman overnight, from 8pm to 7am, though there was a general watchman at the colony entrance. It would be better if cooking were finished before guests return from sightseeing. In general, excellent.