A Serene Mountain Retreat Away From The City’s Hustle Bustle: Solitude, Kotagiri

Disclaimer: We are serious about content integrity. The author spent 2 days at the location as part of a sponsored stay. However, all the information mentioned in the article is completely unbiased and honestly written, to offer valuable travel information to our readers. Read about our editorial policies.  

If you are like me, no longer seeking stays that seclude you from the destination, and rather prefer to immerse yourself in the serenity of nature, Solitude perfectly meets your needs. The brand new stay by Nature Resorts is a hidden gem nestled amidst the lush tea gardens of Kotagiri. 

Thoughtfully constructed with slanted beams, expansive open corridors, and glass walls that allow maximum opportunity to soak in the beauty of the mountains, Solitude is a quaint haven far away from the tourist-packed streets of Ooty.

In this article, I will take you on a brief tour of this magical nature retreat that left me pampered and refreshed. Let’s begin with the highlights of my stay. 

Best Parts Of My Stay At Solitude By Nature Resorts

The Breathtaking View

Solitude’s greatest asset lies in the enchanting landscape that surrounds it. It is also the resort’s biggest gift to its guests. Verdant tea gardens in varying shades of green occasionally rustled by tea workers is a view that never ceases to amaze you. 

At the distant horizon, the majestic Nilgiris blanketed in dense shola forests encapsulated the stay like an impregnable fortress preserving a world untainted by modern civilization. 

The ambiance turned dreamy at twilight. Warm lights illuminated the resort as the clear sky turned a vibrant azure. A cacophony of birds announced the fall of the dark as I swung on the hammock — a solitary witness to this magical hour.  

Wide Range Of Indoor & Outdoor Activities

Solitude offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities that are mindfully crafted for both solo and group travelers. What truly impressed me was that the resort’s basement was dedicated to recreational activities. It had two-seater tables and chairs set up for games like chess, ludo, and carrom, and also had a table tennis board. 

In the afternoon, I spent some time aimlessly striking a couple of carrom coins and then happily settled into one of the hammocks with an old copy of The Fountainhead from a small bookshelf that I found near the reception.

Mouth-watering Food

Guru ji, the head chef of Solitude, expertizes in Indian cuisine. From mouth-watering fish curries, and chicken starters to comfort foods like Luchi (Puri) and Aloo Curry, he made my stay extra special by whipping up dishes of my choice from their expansive menu.

Cleanliness At Solitude By Nature Resorts

The entire stay was sparkling clean. The floors were regularly moped with no trace of dust on the furniture and the lawns were well-maintained by professional gardeners. 

Further, with Nature Resorts’ commitment to eco-tourism, most of their staff are locally hired. Right from the manager, Mr. Nikhil to the Akkas (house helps), the entire team consisted of people who call the Nigiris their home. Thus, their genuine dedication to keeping the resort and its surroundings clean was unmissable. 

The Room At Solitude By Nature Resorts

The Veranda

The first sight that amazed me as I ascended the stairs to the second floor, was the long veranda stretching out into the wilderness. It offered a spectacular view of the mountains and the surrounding tea estates. 

The veranda featured a cozy seating arrangement with two vintage marble coffee tables and a couple of cane chairs, catering as the perfect spot for tea time gatherings. This was one of my favorite spots in the hotel, where I idled away many hours in the night sipping coffee and listening to the chirps of crickets. 

The Room

There were a total of 3 rooms, each with a stunning view. In sync with the nature-centric theme of the stay, my super spacious, 260 sq. ft. room was called Tranquility. 

The room’s interiors resonated with the surrounding landscape. The forest green tiled floor and cream walls were not only aesthetically pleasing, but also mirrored the endless greenery stretching into the distant horizon. To further enhance the immersive experience, the room’s large French windows formed a colossal frame to the unobstructed views of the Nilgiris. 

The Interiors

The artistic placement of vintage furniture amplified the room’s colonial elegance. A king-sized hand-carved bed with embedded mosaic tiles faced one of the French windows like a cozy back seat to a grand amphitheater. Seated there I let my mind wander far onto the last stretch of greenery, wondering what flora and fauna thrived within the heart of those tropical forests.

Each piece of furniture in the room exuded an old-world charm, blending in modern comfort and vintage artistry. Wood, cane, and mosaic tiles with floral motifs told their own story under the warm spotlight of brass lamps. There were handcrafted side tables, a luxurious coffee table set by the French windows, an antique Victorian dressing table, a wooden wardrobe, and a corner cane cabinet under the TV unit that discreetly concealed the unsightly wires. 

The Balcony

My room also had a beautiful balcony overlooking the neighboring tea plantation. This was one of the biggest USPs of the Tranquility room. The balcony had a similar seating arrangement to the veranda and featured a marble table and two cane chairs. And this was the seat of magic at dawn. 

The weather was freezing when I stepped onto the balcony to watch the sun’s rays sweep across the slopes of the blue mountains. Dew-drenched tea leaves nodded lazily in the early morning breeze, while endemic birds fluttered around engrossed in their lively morning chatter. Breathing in the fresh earthy aroma of greenery I took a long sip of my steaming hot tea, pleasantly immersing myself in the beauty of the surroundings. 

The Washroom & Toiletries

The washroom was spacious and featured a partitioned bathing area. However, it was the thoughtful selection of toiletries that caught my attention. Each item belonged to Nature Resorts’ eco-friendly brand. These included two dental kits with bamboo toothbrushes, a shaving kit, 2 shower caps, a comb, a natural bath loofah and a sewing kit.

Behind each pack was a personal message that left me feeling happy. The one on the loofah read: ‘A bath loofah made of natural fibres, has been packed specially for you. Use it with the shower gel to get a clean and refreshing bath.’

Other Amenities 

This nature stay ensures that one enjoys all modern comforts while basking in the beauty of nature. There was a large HD TV in my room with a free Netflix subscription. And this was an added bonus for a drama addict like me. Other amenities included high-speed Wifi, a mini-bar with flavored Goli Soda bottles, a vintage tea box with a range of teas and coffee, an electric kettle, and complimentary Ooty Varkeys for snacks.

The Lawn

Solitude featured two well-manicured lawns — an expansive, sloping one extending before the resort and another adjacent to the basement area. Owing to the property’s elevation, you can relish a panoramic view of the neighboring tea gardens enwrapped by the undulating mountains while swinging on their hammocks.   

Food & Drinks At Solitude By Nature Resorts

The restaurant at Solitude is located on the first floor near the reception. It features a six-seater table set against an exposed brick wall, which adds to its earthy charm. Aptly called The Patio, the restaurant is designed to give you an intimate home dining experience.

The Patio offers a multicuisine menu crafted to satiate the varied tastes of their guests. From vibrant Indian curries, creamy Italian Pasta, spicy Chinese noodles to heavenly desserts, The Patio stores a slice of joy for all palettes. The restaurant also serves Vegan cuisine on special requests from their guests.

Here’s a list of all the delicacies I savored during my stay at Solitude: 

Lunch

After an overnight bus journey from Chennai to Ooty and another hour’s travel to Kotagiri, I was already famished when I reached Solitude. Craving some simple home food I ordered the following:

Chicken Soup:  A dash of warmth spread across my heart as I slowly slurped the thick soup made of fresh chicken broth and minced pieces of chicken, mildly seasoned with a hint of cinnamon.

Meen Kozhumbu: With a fusion of hot and sour flavors, the fish curry displayed a perfect blend of spices and paired well with a plate of hot rice. The Seer fish flaked delicately, proving its freshness and leaving a lingering sense of happiness on my palate.

Fruit Custard: Loaded with fresh apples, bananas, guavas, and pineapples, the custard simply melted in my mouth.

Snacks

To satisfy my light cravings after an enthralling tea plantation walk in the afternoon, I ordered:

Samosa With Mint Chutney: With a crispy texture and a savory filling, the samosas were out of the world. Paired with fresh mint chutney, they made for a perfect combo complimenting Kotagiri’s mild chill weather. 

Dinner

Dinner at Solitude was a culinary feast. I had requested Chef Guruji to treat me to his Indian specialties and to my surprise, he presented a lavish spread featuring dishes from different parts of the country:

Paneer Tawa Masala: Creamy chunks of paneer melting in the mouth was the best way to begin the meal. 

Dry Chilli Chicken: Chilli chicken has been my favorite starter since childhood. Fresh chunks of chicken enwrapped in a light batter with overlapping tangy and spicy flavors was an absolute foodie’s delight.

Sliced Chicken With Red & Yellow Capsicum: This dish was not just yummy, but also visually appealing. Tender pieces of chicken flanked by vibrantly-hued capsicum made for an attractive starter.

Paneer 65: Munching on the crispy paneer cubes mildly tempered with spices and lemon, the dish was my perfect definition of comfort food. 

Fish Fry: The sheer joy that fills my heart at the mere sight of fish can hardly be put into words. The dish consisted of a large piece of Seer fish marinated in Indian spices and tawa fried to perfection. 

Luchi (Puri) & Green Peas Masala: Phulko Luchi (puffed Puri) has been our Sunday morning breakfast since childhood. The dish still makes me nostalgic. Like a child, I popped a Puri and watched the slow steam swirl up with gleaming eyes. The accompanying Green Peas Masala was truly delicious, a harmonious blend of spicy and tangy flavors with a hint of garam masala.

Chapati & Corn Palak: Hot handmade tender chapatis paired with a deliciously creamy Corn Palak curry turned out to be a heavenly combination on a winter night. 

Paneer Butter Masala: This is my all-time favorite vegetarian curry. The tantalizing taste of soft paneer chunks immersed in a buttery tomato gravy created a sweet medley of flavors in my mouth. 

Lemon Tea: Finishing a meal with a hot cup of lemon tea on a cold night can keep you warm and curiously aid your metabolism. The Lemon tea provided a perfect conclusion to a delightful meal.

Breakfast

I ordered my all-time favorite Puri & Aloo Curry. The Puris were hot, fluffy, and soft and the aloo curry was simple, yet magically flavorful. It was served along with freshly cut apples, guava pear, and fresh pineapple juice. 

Restaurant Timings:

Breakfast: 8 am-10 am

Lunch: 1 pm-3 pm

Dinner: 8 pm-10 pm

Activities At Solitude By Nature Resorts

• Tea Plantation Walk

The nature-stay offers plantation walks in the morning and the afternoon. Here, you can catch sight of rare endemic birds during your morning walks or even a wild bison grazing the bushes, if you’re lucky! You can also have the opportunity to engage in casual conversations with the tea plantation workers and get to know about their daily lives.

• Indoor & Outdoor Games

As I’ve mentioned before, Solitude has two well-manicured lawns and an entire basement dedicated to various indoor and outdoor activities. 

• Outdoor Breakfast

You can request the staff to serve your breakfast on the lawn near the basement. This will allow you to savor your morning meal while admiring the unparalleled views of the mountains. 

• Bonfire

Solitude also arranges for bonfires at night at the request of their guests. 

As long as the weather is favorable, you can enjoy a memorable night with live barbeque, party music, and dance around the fire. 

• Library

Solitude has a well-stacked library near the reception. Filled with classics, mysteries, autobiographies, and children’s novels, there’s a book for all kinds of readers. So if you’re into reading I suggest you pick your favorite copy and head to one of the hammocks on the lawns for a captivating read amidst the breathtaking scenery. 

• Local Sightseeing

Solitude arranges for cars (charges applicable) if you wish to check out the nearby tourist attractions.  

Other Amenities & Services At Solitude By Nature Resorts

• Welcome Drink
• Room Heaters
• Netflix
• Tea/ Coffee Maker
• HD TV
• High-Speed WiFi
• In-Room Safe
• Minibar
• In-House Restaurant
• Paid transfers to the airport and railway station. Paid car for local sightseeing. 

Location Of Solitude By Nature Resorts

Solitude is located in Kotagiri, approximately 28 km from Ooty, which is about an hour’s drive. The closest airport to Kotagiri is the Coimbatore International Airport (69 km) and the nearest railway station is in Coonoor (20.8 km). You can also take an overnight bus from Chennai to Ooty and then drive to Kotagiri. Solitude offers airport and railway station transfers (paid). 

TWT Tip: About 5 minutes before reaching the resort, as your car enters the muddy roads of the tea plantation, give the resort a call for the correct location. Google Maps had suggested a parallel road that led to a dead end. After calling the manager, he guided our driver in the right direction. 

Tourist Attractions In And Around Kotagiri

Kotagiri

• Catherine Waterfalls
• Longwood Shola Reserve Forest
• Kodanad View Point
• John Sullivan Memorial

Coonoor

• Sim’s Park
• Laws Falls
• Lamb’s Rock

Wellington

• The Madras Regiment Museum
• Wellington Lake

Ooty (25 km)

• Government Botanical Garden 
• Rose Garden
• Karnataka Siri Horticulture Garden
• Tamil Nadu Tourism Ooty Boat House
• Stone House 
• St. Stephen Church
• Toda Temple
• The Tea Factory & The Tea Museum
• Emerald Lake

Masinagudi

• Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

If you are looking for stay options in these places, check out our reviews of Willow Hill in Ooty, Sleeping Beauty in Aruvankadu, Teanest Nightingale Annexe in Kotagiri, Wild Pastures in Masinagudi, and Emerald by Nature Resorts. If you are looking for some good places to dine with your friends and family, check out our articles on The Culinarium and Buddies Cafe, Ooty.

TWT Experience Summary Of Solitude By Nature Resorts

Surrounded by the most pristine views of lush tea gardens, Solitude by Nature Resorts is a perfect escape for the weary soul of a city dweller. Equipped with modern amenities like high-speed WiFi, a Netflix subscription, and a convenient in-house restaurant, the stay allows you to seamlessly blend work and recreation while soaking in the serenity of the Nilgiris. 

Away from the city’s hustle, this nature retreat felt more like a home away from home. So next time my heart longs for a quick vacation in a less-crowded hill station, Solitude, Kotagiri would surely be my preferred getaway. 

Inclusivity checklist: 

✅Couple-friendly

✅Kid-friendly

✅LGBTQ+ friendly

✅Family-friendly 

✅Vegan-friendly

✅Eco-friendly

✅En-Suite Room Heaters

✅Indoor & Outdoor Games

✅Outdoor Dining

✅Bonfires

✅Netflix

Check In Time: 1 pm

Check Out Time: 11 am

Price Per Night: INR 5938 (exclusive of GST) for Weekdays and INR 6362 (exclusive of GST) for Weekends. INR 1500 for Extra Adults aged 12 years and above and INR 850 for children between 5-11 years. 

Book Directly From Hotel Website: Booking link

Address: Google Maps (Door no. 14, 149d, street four, near Long Wood Shola, Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu 643217)

Contact: +91 8088855855 and 07738066816 (for reservation)

FAQs About Solitude By Nature Resorts

1. How many rooms does Solitude by Nature Resorts provide? 

Solitude offers a total of 3 rooms (260 sq ft- 226 sq ft). Each room is spacious and is equipped with modern amenities and a breathtaking view of the surrounding tea plantations and the distant Nilgiri mountains.

2. Is Solitude’s restaurant open to outsiders? What cuisine does Solitude’s restaurant offer?

No, Solitude’s restaurant, The Patio can only be availed by their in-house guests. The Patio is a multi-cuisine restaurant that serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Some of its popular dishes include Honey Drizzled Noodles, Chicken Biryani, Jugalbandhi, Schezwan Chicken Noodles, Kerala Paratha, Kadai Mutton, Light Mushroom Biryani, A Subzimela, Piquant Mushroom Masala, Five Treasure Salad, Chilly Gobi/ Potato, Crispy Fish Fingers and Mutton Coconut Fry. 

3. What is the price of staying at Solitude by Nature Resorts?

The price of an overnight stay at Solitude is likely to cost you INR 5938 (exclusive of GST) for Weekdays and INR 6362 (exclusive of GST) for Weekends. Additionally, INR 1500 for an extra adult aged 12 years and above and INR 850 for children between 5-11 years. 

4. Is Kotagiri worth visiting?

Kotagiri is a quaint hill station in the heart of the Nilgiris. Free from real estate projects and over-populated streets, Kotagiri is the perfect destination for enjoying the beauty of the southern mountains. 

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