WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace

The heritage atmosphere was the one part we appreciated, but everything else at Fernhills Heritage Hotel, Ooty fell well short for our group of 20. The starters were plain and poorly presented, and the Hyderabad biryani was especially disappointing. It didn't taste, smell, or look like authentic biryani in its preparation. With the property's reputation and prices, we expected much better food and service. It was a very poor dining experience, and I wouldn't recommend it.

Room service took ages to answer our calls, and the room heater didn't work. The hotel is poorly maintained, and there wasn't hot water running around the clock in Ootty. That makes it a definite thumbs down, especially for anyone travelling with kids.

I picked this resort for a special candlelight dinner, and it turned out to be the worst decision for that occasion. The food and service were awful, the menu was terrible, and even a local dhaba has more variety. They acted as if they were incredibly busy, though there were no guests or visitors. @makemytrip, please stop ruining people's special moments by offering candlelight dinner at this ghost place.

People call Fern Hills Hotel in Ooty haunted, but I didn't find anything spooky there. It's a huge property, and staff may seem thin on the ground, perhaps because the haunted stories keep visitors away. Don't let those rumors put you off. The place was once the summer palace of the royal Wadiyar family of Mysore, and its original character has been kept with only a few modern updates. If you want the feel of a grand heritage palace, it's a beautiful place to stay. You can also stop by for lunch or dinner without staying overnight. I think it's worth a visit.