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As I began my journey to Kotagiri leaving behind the bustling streets of Ooty, the weather altered dramatically. Thick mist shrouded my view, depriving me of the panoramic vista of the Nilgiris, which was visible just a few minutes ago.
With glaring headlights, the car steered slowly as sparse flora gave way to dense coniferous forests and narrow hairpin bends. I secretly prayed that the weather would clear up by the time I reached Teanest Nightingale Annexe, a brand-new stay by Nature Resorts.
Resting at the fringe of a hill road, the new property majestically overlooked acres of lush green tea plantations, occasionally interspersed with grapefruit, custard apple, and peach trees. As I entered, little did I know that the adventure of a lifetime awaited me at Teanest Nightingale Annexe.
Let me take you through the thrilling activities I experienced here, the mouthwatering cuisine I indulged in, and the mesmerizing view of the Nilgiris I soaked in.
Contents
Best Part Of My Stay At Teanest Nightingale Annexe
The Room
Way before I laid eyes on the landscape, the room took my breath away. I stayed in Nilgiri Pipit, a colonial-styled 2-storey bedroom featuring a large bay window and an attic. Yes, you read that right! The 500 sq. ft. spacious room had a wooden staircase spiraling up to a dream-like attic bedroom with a panoramic window.
What more could I have asked for? Tastefully decorated with vintage furniture, and offering the most precious view of the tea plantations hemming the resort, Nilgiri Pipit was one of the best rooms I’ve stayed in during my 27 years of travel. I shall give you a more picturesque description of the room shortly.
Warm Service
Immediately upon my arrival, the manager Mr. Rajnikant, welcomed me with a glass of hot basil and lemon tea. After countless hairpin bends, this welcome drink offered me true comfort. And it was just the beginning of their hospitality that I happily enjoyed during my stay.
Owing to the minimal number of rooms, service at this nature stay is warm and personal. From prompt room services to providing warm water bottles at night, the staff went the extra mile to ensure my comfort.
Picnic Basket Activity
Among the many activities that the nature stay offers its guests, the picnic basket is a truly adventurous one. It was suggested by Mr. Jyothish Vasu – GM of operations at Nature Resorts.
I was told to meet my guide, Mr. Manoj, at 7.30 am for the Picnic Basket activity. Right on time, he was ready with a backpack, a bottle of salt (to wade off leeches in the misty weather), and a handcrafted cane tray.
With boundless joy washing over me and bewildered by the intimacy of nature, I brushed past thick tea shrubs, drenched in dew. This was my first time entering a tea plantation. As I continued to walk, Manoj’s calm voice echoed like a distant radio advising me against halting to avoid the leeches.
With my senses wide awake, I spotted Warblers and Magpie Robins flirting around the tea bushes for an early morning worm. We were enwrapped by the stunning vista of rolling hills blanketed with the most vibrant green stretching to the horizon.
After more than a kilometer of trekking, we finally reached a large flat rock, protruding into the wilderness – our picnic spot. Dear reader, trust me when I say this was one of the most paradisiacal places I have seen during my recent tour of the Nilgiris.
Manoj swiftly laid out a classic picnic spread featuring cucumber sandwiches, apples, and a piping hot cup of Nilgiri tea. As I slowly sipped my tea, I tried to engrave in my heart the hypnotic beauty of the Nilgiris.
Cleanliness At Teanest Nightingale Annexe
Being a new property, the hotel was absolutely spic and span. The floors and furniture were spotless. I also visited their neighboring older property Teanest Nightingale during breakfast hours and it was equally clean and well-maintained.
The Rooms At Teanest Nightingale Annexe
Teanest Nightingale Annexe has a total of 4 rooms, each named after an endemic bird of the Nilgiris. I occupied the Nilgiri Pipit room, which was a luxurious room with an attic.
Overlooking acres of lush green tea estates, the faraway blue mountains (often engulfed in mist), and a well-maintained lawn, the room offered a perfect theater experience for watching the ever-changing reels on nature’s bioscope. As a solo spectator in this expansive room, I recall spending hours by the long bay window with a weathered copy of How To Kill A Mocking Bird from the bookcase in the attic.
Ambience & interiors
Pink peach blossoms gently caressing my bedside window were one of the most cinematic sights that captured my heart throughout my stay. While evenings were lit with warm golden lights from low-hanging chandeliers and decorative brass lamps, mornings were magical in this room. I woke up in the attic drenched in blue light from the tinted windows.
Apart from the gorgeous view, another aspect of the room that catches the eye is its stunning display of vintage furniture. A majestic hand-carved queen-sized bed with blue tiles engraved with floral motifs claimed the spotlight. On either side, 2 beautiful hand-crafted table lamps threw a dusky light on the embroidered carpet decorating the room.
A classic coffee table set sat by the bay window. A high dressing table with a wood-framed mirror and a large wardrobe framed the doorway. Each piece of furniture was thoughtfully placed and did not just serve a functional purpose, but added to the aesthetic appeal of the room.
Inspired by the nature outside, the ground floor of this room had a soothing combination of emerald gray and pale wood-colored tiles with unique geometric patterns. The attic had a hardwood floor and was adorned with minimal furniture.
Amenities
The room was carefully designed to meet all your basic and luxury needs. It had a 50-inch large LED TV and offered a free Netflix account. This was a bonus for me. Binging on my favorite drama, tucked under a blanket, with a steaming cup of lemon tea felt like home away from home.
Other amenities included an array of tea and coffee options neatly arranged within a wooden tea box, an electric kettle, a mini fridge with flavored Goli Soda bottles, and complimentary fruits and Ooty Varkey for snacks.
There were also two cozy couches, a double-sized bed, and a bookcase filled with various books for guests of all ages.
Bathroom & Toiletries
The washroom was spacious with modern Jaquar fittings and a partitioned bath area. It displayed an impressive range of toiletries from Nature Resorts’ own eco-friendly brand. These included 2 bamboo toothbrushes with toothpaste, a shaving kit, a shower cap, glycerine soaps, shampoo, and a hair dryer.
Living Room & Common Areas
From the moment you enter Teanest Nightingale Annexe, you can’t not notice the amount of hard work involved in crafting and maintaining the property. Right from the beautiful potted plants decorating its driveway, and the pruned trees in the lawn, to the vibrant bird paintings by a professional artist decorating its rooms, it was evident that this nature stay has been brought to life by minds who are passionate about giving guests a unique and immersive experience.
At the center of the living room stood a colossal brick fireplace with a mantle evoking an old-world charm. Two antique chairs sat before the fireplace, creating an ideal spot during cold nights. The living room featured a glass wall overlooking the lawn and accommodated a cozy restaurant. There were two dining tables, one adjacent to the fireplace for dinner and another beside the glass wall for enjoying the view during your daytime meals.
Facing another section of the glass wall, a vintage sofa set and a small bookshelf lay with an amazing collection of classics from Mark Twain, Harper Lee, Daniel Steele, and others. A similar setup was arranged on the ground floor with two-seater tables meant for indoor games like chess, carrom, and ludo.
Food & Drinks At Teanest Nightingale Annexe
Teanest Nightingale Annexe’s in-house restaurant is called Whistling Thrush, named after a musical bird of the Nilgiris. The food here is freshly prepared with locally sourced ingredients. In fact, I was told that none of the nature stays owned by Nature Resorts use frozen ingredients to prepare their meals.
They had a wide variety of delicacies listed on their menu and I was quite surprised to know that every dish was available. With the mountains working up my appetite, here’s a quick list of the mouth-watering delicacies that I dug into during my stay:
Lunch
- Chicken Penne Pasta With Red Sauce
Exhausted and famished from my travel from Ooty, I opted for a nice bowl of pasta. To my surprise, it was served piping hot within a very short time. Nicely plated with lots of chicken and veggies, this deliciously creamy pasta was the perfect comfort food for Kotagiri’s cold weather.
Dinner
- Fresh Watermelon Juice
I am a big fan of fresh juices and prefer them as an accompaniment irrespective of the meal. The juice was prepared without sugar or ice, giving my dinner a refreshing start.
- Chicken, Mushroom With Grilled Veggies Salad
The Nilgiris are renowned for their Button Mushrooms. Hence, I had to order a dish with mushrooms as one of its main ingredients. The salad came with oodles of juicy mushrooms, freshly grilled broccoli, peas, and Ooty carrots, flanked by strips of chicken deliciously seasoned with pepper.
- English Style Fish n Chips
This dish was one of my favorites. The fish was amazingly fresh and cooked to perfection. It flaked delicately and melted in my mouth. The batter was light and crispy and the french fries were simply yummy.
- Fresh Fruit Custard
Custard is one of my favorite desserts and when I heard that they’ll be preparing it with fresh fruits, I couldn’t resist ordering one. It arrived in an adorable white bowl decorated with juicy black grapes and was absolutely delicious. Mildly sweetened, flavored with a luxurious assortment of fruits, and velvety smooth in texture, this delightful dessert gave a sweet conclusion to my day.
Breakfast
- Cucumber Sandwich & Green Tea
The sandwich and tea were served as part of the early morning Picnic Basket activity before breakfast. Munching on generously buttered sandwiches amidst tea plantations was a truly memorable experience.
- Fresh Sapota (Chikoo) Juice
This thick sapota juice was so delicious that I saved a sip for the end.
- Idli with Sambar & Coconut Chutney
Hot fluffy idlis on a winter morning is absolute bliss. The sambar had a home-like flavor accompanied by an authentic coconut chutney that had the right consistency.
- Kuzhi Paniyaram
Kuzhi Paniyaram is a Sunday snack that my mom-in-law prepares for us at home. Eating it at Teanest Nightingale, truly felt like home away from home. Each Paniyaram was nicely done, flavorful, and deliciously crispy.
- Masala Omelette & Vegetable Khichdi
The omelet was appetizing and the vegetable khichdi was light and yummy.
Lunch
- Light Mushroom Biriyani
The biriyani truly lived up to its promise. I wished for a light lunch since I was going to travel that night. Without compromising on the flavors the dish was prepared with less oil and masala, but with lots of mushrooms and fresh vegetables.
Apart from its vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu, Teanest Nightingale also arranges vegan cuisine at the request of their guests.
TWT Tip: If you’re a tea lover, do try Teanest Nightingale’s delectable tea menu, which offers 9 varieties of teas such as White tea, Golden tips tea, Rosemary Tea, Chamomile tea, and others. They also have a special Nuts & Seeds menu which offers mouthwatering delicacies prepared with a variety of nut & seed infusions.
Activities At Teanest Nightingale Annexe
- Breakfast With A View
Both the old and the new Teanest Nightingale properties have picturesque lawns that are bordered by tea estates. The lawns are decked with colorful orchids, lilies, and other seasonal blossoms. They also feature hammocks cozily nestled under peach blossoms. You can opt to have your breakfast in any one of these lawns like I did and skip the restaurant for a more immersive experience amidst nature.
- Candle-Light Dinner
The staff also arranges special candle-light dinners on their lawn. The mild chill in the air, the enchanting view of distant village lights against the silhouette of dark mountains, and the calming buzz of crickets make an ideal ambiance for a romantic meal with your loved ones.
- Picnic Basket
As mentioned earlier, the Picnic Basket activity involved embarking on a scenic trail through dense tea plantations to reach a picnic spot with a breathtaking view of the majestic green Nilgiris.
Note: The trek is of moderate difficulty and may be challenging for small children or adults with mobility issues.
- Bird Watching
Get to know the endemic birds of the Nilgiris as you go on a bird-watching tour with one of the specialists from Teanest Nightingale. Some of the common birds that you can spot are the Malabar Whistling Thrush, Warblers, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, and Magpie Robin.
- Tea Plantation Walk
If the weather is clear, the resort arranges for one of its staff to take you on an enchanting walk through the neighboring tea gardens. Don’t be surprised if you find plantation workers plucking tea leaves in their vibrant work attire just like a still from a Bollywood film.
- Bonfire
On Winter nights, Teanest Nightingale organizes bonfires on their lawns that you can enjoy with your friends and family.
- Library
Each floor of the nature resort had a small bookcase filled with classics and bestsellers for guests of different ages. I noticed a copy of Harry Potter, books by Enid Blyton, Harper Lee, Daniel Steele, Jeffrey Archer, John Grisham, and also many other interesting autobiographies. If you love reading during your vacation, take up the couch by the fireside for a cozy evening read.
- Indoor & Outdoor Games
Teanest Nightingale Annexe has dedicated tables set up for indoor games like chess, ludo, and carrom. You can also indulge in outdoor games like badminton in any one of their lawns.
Other Amenities & Services At Teanest Nightingale Annexe
- Free Parking
- High-speed WiFi
- HD TV
- Netflix
- Minibar
- Tea/ Coffee Maker
- Bathroom slippers
- Library
Neighboring Sister Property Teanest Nightingale
Although I stayed in Teanest Nightingale Annexe, my breakfast was arranged on the expansive lawn of their older property Teanest Nightingale, a gorgeous bright red colonial mansion. This property also has 4 rooms – 2 of them have an attic and the other 2 don’t. However, each room has a cozy sit-out area where you can enjoy your morning coffee while relishing the stunning view of the tea estates.
The resort also features a picturesque porch that adds to its colonial elegance. One of the most eye-catching decor pieces adorning the porch is a classic hat and umbrella stand with a variety of Fedora hats hanging from its hooks. Put on a hat and a brolly (umbrella) and take a walk in the tea gardens to relive the vintage charm. The porch also has an antique dressing table and two cane couches on either side from where you can watch the sunrise and sunset.
Location Of Teanest Nightingale Annexe
The new property is located exactly above their popular nature retreat, the Teanest Nightingale, Kotagiri. Both the Teanest Nightingale nature stays are located in Kotagiri at a 700 m distance from each other.
The nearest airport to Kotagiri is the Coimbatore International Airport (71 km from Teanest) and the closest railway station is the Coonoor (ONR) Railway Station (18 km from the resort). You can also take a bus from Chennai to Ooty and drive to Kotagiri, which is about 25 km away.
If you’re planning to go sightseeing during your stay at Teanest Nightingale Annexe, here’s a list of the main tourist attractions near Kotagiri:
Kotagiri
- Catherine Waterfalls
- Wellington Lake
- Longwood Shola Reserve Forest
- Kodanad View Point
- John Sullivan Memorial
Ooty (25 km)
- Government Botanical Garden
- Stone House
- Karnataka Siri Horticulture Garden
- Rose Garden
- Toda Temple
- St. Stephen Church
- Tamil Nadu Tourism Ooty Boat House
- The Tea Factory & The Tea Museum
- Sim’s Park
- Laws Falls
- Lamb’s Rock
- The Madras Regiment Museum
- Highfield Tea Factory
- Kattery Park
If you are searching for stay options in these places, check out our Willow Hill, Ooty and Sleeping Beauty, Aruvankadu hotel reviews. 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.
Inclusivity Checklist:
✅ Kid-friendly
✅ Family-friendly
✅ Couple-friendly
✅ LGBTQ+ friendly
✅ Vegan-friendly
✅ Eco-friendly
✅ Room heater
✅ Outdoor Dining
✅ Nature Activities
✅ Airport & Railway Station Transfers (paid)
Check-In Time: 1 pm
Check-Out Time: 11 am
Price Per Night At Teanest Nightingale Annexe: The rooms without an attic bedroom are priced at INR 5700 (weekdays) and INR 5938 (weekends). The Nilgiri Pipit Room with an attic bedroom is priced at INR 6175 (weekdays) and INR 6413 (weekends).
Price Per Night At Teanest Nightingale: Rooms without an attic bedroom are priced at INR 3770 (weekdays) and INR 4042 (weekends). Premium Rooms with an attic bedroom are priced at INR 4589 (weekdays) and INR 4862 (weekends).
Booking Link: Booking.com
TWT Experience Summary Of Teanest Nightingale Annexe
The Nilgiris have gained popularity among city-dwellers who wish to take a break from their frantic lifestyle and experience the tranquility of the mountains. So if you love cooler weather, Teanest Nightingale and Teanest Nightingale Annexe in Kotagiri can offer you the perfect winter getaway.
If you like a packed itinerary, you can visit the nearby Tea Factory, or the Catherine Falls or head to the nearby hill stations of Ooty and Coonoor. However, if all this sounds like your Monday morning schedule, then do nothing but unwind at Teanest Nightingale. Wake up to the call of birds, savor their mouthwatering dishes, read a good novel by the fireplace, and immerse yourself in the overwhelming beauty of the Nilgiris.
FAQs About Teanest Nightingale Annexe By Nature Resorts
1. Does Teanest Nightingale Annexe offer airport transfer or arrange cars for local sightseeing?
Yes, Teanest Nightingale Annexe offers paid pick-up and drop-off services from airports, railway stations, and bus stands. They also arrange for cars for local sightseeing.
2. What type of cuisine is available in Teanest Nightingale Annexe?
They offer a wide range of Indian, Chinese, and Continental delicacies, including vegan food. Some of the most popular dishes from their menu are Flavourful Dhania Murgh, Chilly ginger/ Garlic Chicken, Kadai Mutton, A Subzimela, Creamy Malai Kofta, Corn Palak, Piquant Mushroom Masala, Teanest Fried Chicken, Crispy Fish Fingers, Teanest Veg Salad, Kung Pao Potato, Zingy Chilly Mushroom/ Baby Corn, Honey Drizzled Noodles, Payasam, and Carrot/ Beetroot Halwa.
3. How many rooms are available in Teanest Nightingale?
Both Teanest Nightingale and Teanest Nightingale Annexe have 4 rooms each. Teanest Nightingale has 2 premium rooms with adjoining attic bedrooms and 2 without them. Teanest Nightingale Annexe has one room with an attic among the 4. Each of these rooms in both properties offer stunning views of lush tea gardens and the Nilgiri mountains.
4. What is the best time to visit Kotagiri?
The best times to visit Kotagiri and the nearby hill stations of Ooty and Coonoor are from November to March (winter) and April to June (summer).
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2 thoughts on “A Tea Estate Stay With An Attic Bedroom: Teanest Nightingale Annexe, Kotagiri”
Very nicely written review with all required information s. The place seems to be beautiful. Suitable for a holiday trip.
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