Often referred to as the ‘Scotland of India’, Coorg or Kodagu, is a haven and a cozy place snuggled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. With its misty hills, lush greenery, pleasant climate, breathtaking waterfalls, exotic wildlife, coffee, and spices plantations, Coorg is one of the most sought-after tourist places in India with a lot to offer from just scenic essence to a multitude of activities to indulge in. While in Coorg, travelers must enhance their trip by choosing the best Coog Resorts to pamper themselves with opulence amidst picturesque vistas. Known for exuberant amenities, these resorts render the guests comfort along with unique country life amenities including meditation, Ayurvedic centers, a reading lounge, an activity room, etc. Here are the 9 best resorts in Coorg that travelers can choose to make their Coorg Trip.
1. Evolve Back, Coorg
ADDRESS – Karadigodu Rd, Post, Siddapura, Karnataka 571253, India
Formerly known as Orange County Resort, the recently rechristened Evolve Back retains its crown as the best place to stay in Coorg. Ensconced in Chikkana Halli Estate, a 300-acre coffee and spice plantation, the resort offers 43 villas (all with private pools) in different categories. Heritage Pool Villas are done up in the local Kodava style of architecture made of stone and brick, topped with the traditional sloping tiled roof common to Coorg.
The resort has no fewer than seven dining options, including a moonlit dinner by the lake, and private dining in a treetop machan — don’t miss the local specialty of pandi curry (spiced pork curry) with akki roti (rice flatbread). Relax and rejuvenate at the Ayurveda Village, the resort’s sprawling spa where you can experience the best of Ayurvedic therapies including herbal baths, oil massages, and beauty treatments. If you’d like to step outside the resort, take your pick from activities such as nature walks, plantation visits, bicycle tours through nearby villages, and even a ride on the river in a coracle, the circular fishing raft used by locals.
2. The Casiita
ADDRESS – Opp. Cauvery Nisargadhama, Guddehosur village, Madapatna Village, Kushalnagar, Karnataka 571234, India
Just off the Madikeri-Kushalnagar Road that goes through Coorg, The Casiita is a conveniently located budget option that offers 17 rooms and cottages set amidst swaying palms. Rooms are done up in vibrant colors and come with all basic amenities including en-suite bathrooms. The resort offers family and group rooms suitable for 4 to 8 guests as well as elegant thatched-roof cottages. The Casiita offers a buffet breakfast of South Indian specialties along with a bakery menu. Apart from breakfast, the restaurant doesn’t serve any meals, though the resort can organize an outdoor barbecue in the evenings upon request. You can also head out to the nearby town of Madikeri which has a range of restaurants serving local and international cuisines.
The resort has a large garden and a play area that doubles as a campfire site on request. The front desk is quite helpful in arranging transfers, car hires, and local sightseeing tours. The resort also has a small gift shop, a coffee shop, and a spice hut where you can buy local coffee and spices if you’re looking for a practical souvenir.
3. Old Kent Estates
ADDRESS – Thaikappa Estate, Horoor Post, Suntikoppa, Old Kent Estate Rd, Kodagu, Karnataka 571237, India
Go back in time to the British Raj era at Old Kent Estates, a refurbished plantation lodge set amidst an English garden and surrounded by a 200-acre coffee plantation and dense woodlands. The heritage property dates back to the 19th century, with a stately colonial-style lodge now housing the hotel’s reception, dining room, library, game room, and theater. The resort’s eight cottages are spread around the estate offering plenty of privacy. Each cottage is done up with period furniture and comes with a spacious bathroom with a sky roof and natural, locally-made bath products. Each cottage also has a manicured, private garden with outdoor seating.
Dine on local Coorgi delicacies or partake in Anglo-Indian and ‘Continental’ fare; whatever you do, just don’t miss out on freshly brewed specialty coffee from the surrounding estate. Play pool, browse the library, or go on a plantation walk; there are several marked hiking trails nearby as well as quite a good bit of bird watching. Later, de-stress at the spa and spend the night counting stars with one of the hotel’s telescopes.
4. The Tamara
ADDRESS – The Tamara Coorg, Kabbinakad Estate, Yevakapadi, Napoklu Nad Madikeri, Yevakapadi, Karnataka 571212, India
Nestled in the lush greenery of coffee, pepper, and cardamom plantations, and surrounded by gurgling streams and cascading waterfalls, The Tamara Coorg is a luxury hideaway like no other. The 56-key resort offers a range of cottage-style villas built on stilts. All cottages are done up in warm wood paneling, pastel colors, and elegant furnishings, and come with large picture windows which overlook the Coorg valley. For something extra special, splurge on one of two Eden Lotus cottages which feature two bedrooms, massive living rooms, and a sundeck with loungers and a Jacuzzi.
Meals are served in The Falls restaurant built on a bridge spanning the valley and a natural stream that flows underneath. For a more intimate experience, the resort can arrange a candlelit dinner by a picturesque waterfall. Take a plantation tour, go trekking or bird watching, or take a few sessions at the Yoga Temple under the guidance of a qualified guru. Wind down in the temperature-controlled pool with the attached bar or try the resort’s signature coffee therapy at The Elevation Spa. You can also try your hand at blending your own coffee and bring back a unique memento.
5. The Ibnii
ADDRESS – 123 Ibnivalavadi Village, Boikeri, Madikeri, Madikeri, Karnataka 571201, India
Spread over 125 acres of a coffee estate, The Ibnii is a stunning luxury resort that’s just perfect for a solo sojourn. It offers 22 ‘Kopi Luwak’ pool villas, 10 ‘Arnetta’ wooden cottages overlooking a lake, and one ‘Poinsettia premium suite’. The suite and villas come with an open shower, an infinity pool, and Jacuzzi. The Ibnii is India’s first eco-luxury resort to receive the Indian Green Building Council’s Platinum certification for its many green initiatives like rainwater harvesting, plastic-free premises, and the use of recycled fabric for bed and bath linen.
Savor regional fare at the Baalelle vegetarian restaurant, feast on kebabs and grills at Masi Kande barbecue, or dig into some Mediterranean fare at The Fig. Cell service is sporadic here, so it’s easy to disconnect from the world and indulge in one of the many wellness packages offered at The Ibnii; the five-night Naadi and 7-night Abhasa relaxation and rejuvenation packages both come highly recommended. Other activities include nature walks, responsible fishing, and plantation stroll followed by a cup of house-blend coffee from the estate at the Kaldi Kappee coffee shop.
6. Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa
ADDRESS – 1st Monnangeri Galibeedu, Post, Madikeri, Karnataka 571201, India
Surrounded by a 180-acre rainforest, Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa is the Taj Group’s luxury offering in Coorg. The resort has 63 rooms divided into cottages and villas, all of which give stunning views of the valley and the rainforest. Apart from the Superior Cottages, all rooms come with a working fireplace. The Pool Villas are the ultimate in luxury: 3,300 square feet of space with separate living, dining, and sleeping areas, a butler pantry, and a four-foot deep heated plunge pool with a fully retractable roof.
Dining options include the all-day multi-cuisine restaurant Ferntree, Nellaki which specializes in Coorgi cuisine, and the wellness restaurant Dew, not to mention the poolside grill, and the eclectic Hive Bar, which is perfect for lounging and listening to world music. The resort can also create personalized private dining experiences like a four-course meal in the Buddha Garden or a candlelit dinner at the Amphitheatre. If you’re looking for some adventure, go zip lining or off-terrain biking through the rainforest. For a more mellow activity, try your hand at making pottery or learn to whip up some Kodava cuisine specialties. Finally, unwind at the Jiva Spa with a traditional wood-fired Gudda Bath experience.
7. Club Mahindra Madikeri
ADDRESS – Galibeedu, Road, Karavale Badaga, Madikeri, Karnataka 571204, India
Spread over a hillside adjacent to a coffee plantation, Club Mahindra Madikeri is a firm favorite with holidaying families. Its 220 rooms give superb views of the surrounding Western Ghats range. There are several options for room types, and the largest can accommodate up to four adults and two children. All rooms are elegantly done up and come with a kitchenette with a microwave and tea/coffee-making services. The resort has four dining options that serve a mix of local and international fare.
Club Mahindra Madikeri offers many activities suitable for both adults and children. Apart from nature walks and coffee plantation tours, the resort’s sprawling premises house a bungee trampoline, a rope course, a cricket-bowling machine, and ATV rides. Kids will also love the indoor game room with board games, video games, and a pool table. Other facilities include the Svaastha Spa, a well-equipped gym, and two full-sized swimming pools.
8. Purple Palms Resort & Spa
ADDRESS – Bolluru Village, Guddehosur, BM Rd, near Kaveri Nisargadhama, Kushalnagar, Karnataka 571234, India
Located just off the highway near Kushalnagar, Purple Palms Resort & Spa is ideal for business travelers and corporate off-sites. The resort has 68 rooms and suites that sport contemporary décor and colors; purple accents abound, but it’s all very pleasing to the eye. The entry-level Panorama rooms look out either over the pool or the coffee plantation. The garden-facing Courtyard rooms come with a private balcony with a coffee table, while the Peaberry Suites feature a spacious living room, dining area, two bathrooms, and a private balcony.
Meals are served at the multi-cuisine restaurant Elephants & Coffee, while the Banduk bar that pays tribute to Coorg’s hunting culture (banduk translates to the gun) is great for post-work drinks. The resort’s Cherry Hall can accommodate up to 200 guests for a corporate event and comes with an attached pre-conference area and a lawn. For smaller meetings, the Huddle Board Room can seat up to ten people. Other facilities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, an ozone-treated swimming pool, a recreation room with pool, table tennis, and board games, and the Earth Glo Spa where you can take your pick from Ayurvedic, Balinese, and Swedish massages.
9. Zostel Coorg
ADDRESS – Abhyatmangala village and post, near Siddapura, Devarakadu, Karnataka 571253, India
Hostels are few and far between in Coorg and even Zostel Coorg has located a considerable distance from Madikeri and Kushalnagar, the two main towns in the region. As rare as it is, however, Zostel is tucked away in a verdant coffee plantation and forest and designed like a traditional Coorgi house — a single-story structure with a sloping, tiled roof, making it an ideal location for a laidback holiday. Accommodation options include four mixed-bed dorms (with 28 beds in total), one six-bed female dorm, and two outdoor tents with a shared bathroom. Dorms are clean and include linens though towels do need to be rented.
The hostel offers free Wi-Fi, parking facilities, and 24/7 reception. The café provides breakfast and meals at an extra cost, and laundry services are available as well. The largest 10-bed mixed dorm has a common hangout area, while the attic (which has a TV) doubles up as a reading room and boardroom, and is open to all guests. The two adorable dogs on-site, Candy and Clyde, are a notable plus. Staff is very helpful with local sightseeing and activities suggestions, and can also arrange a bonfire in the evenings.
Related Article – Popular Places to Visit in Coorg
Things to know about Coorg
Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is a district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is known for its natural beauty and is a popular tourist destination. Here are a few things you may want to know about Coorg:
- Coorg is located in the Western Ghats mountain range and is known for its lush green forests and rolling hills.
- Coorg is home to several tribes, including the Kodavas, who are native to the region. The Kodavas have their own unique culture, language, and traditions.
- Coorg is a major coffee-producing region in India and is home to many coffee plantations.
- The region is also known for its spices, particularly cardamom and pepper.
- Coorg has a number of tourist attractions, including the Dubare Elephant Camp, the Nisargadhama Forest Reserve, and the Talacauvery Temple.
- The climate in Coorg is generally cool and pleasant, making it a popular destination throughout the year.
- Coorg is known for its delicious cuisine, which includes dishes such as pandi curry (pork curry) and akki roti (rice flour bread).
Frequently asked questions about Coorg
Q. What is Coorg known for?
A – Coorg is known for its natural beauty, coffee plantations, spices, and unique culture and traditions. It is a popular tourist destination in the state of Karnataka, India.
Q. What is the weather like in Coorg?
A – Coorg has a pleasant climate throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging from 20-25°C (68-77°F) in the winter months to 25-30°C (77-86°F) in the summer. The region receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, from June to September.
Q. What are the must-see places in Coorg?
A – Some of the must-see places in Coorg include the Dubare Elephant Camp, the Nisargadhama Forest Reserve, the Talacauvery Temple, and Raja’s Seat. Other popular attractions include the Madikeri Fort, Abbey Falls, and the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary.
Q. What is the best time to visit Coorg?
A – The best time to visit Coorg depends on your preferences. If you prefer cooler weather, you may want to visit during the winter months of October to March. If you enjoy the monsoon season, you may prefer to visit from June to September.
Q. How do I get to Coorg?
A – Coorg is well connected by road, rail, and air. The nearest major airports are in Bangalore and Mangalore. From there, you can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Coorg. You can also take a train to Mysore, which is the nearest major railway station, and then hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Coorg.
