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As I winded up the narrow hilly road of Ooty, the noise of the city slowly faded away. It gave way to the musical notes of bulbuls and cheerful chirps of sparrows. Fresh aroma of Eucalyptus filled my heart and a breathtaking view of the Nilgiris unfolded before my eyes, as I found myself standing at the gates of Willow Hill.
The resort’s tagline ‘Resonate with Nature’ gradually began to make sense. Willow Hill is part of a chain of small-scale luxury properties by Nature Resorts. Designed as a Victorian log-cabin, it interweaves simplicity and aesthetics with a delicate touch of romanticism.
Surrounded by rolling hills blanketed with pine, eucalyptus and deodar forests, Willow Hill’s wooden interiors effortlessly meld with the natural beauty of the hill station.
So, what exactly about my stay at this hotel touched my heart? And why do I recommend it to a fellow traveller? I’ll discuss them all in this article. First, let’s go through the 4 main highlights of my stay at Willow Hill.
Contents
Best Part Of My Stay At Willow Hill By Nature Resorts, Ooty
Seamless Service
Let me start by how impressed I was to receive my room within 10 minutes of arriving, an hour earlier than expected. Despite my early arrival, Willow Hill’s manager, Mr. Lakshmi Narayanan, ensured that I had a seamless check-in.
I was amazed at how the manager and his dedicated team are always on their toes, interacting with all the guests and attending to their needs at all times of the day. Be it handing out umbrellas during the occasional October rain, or arranging cars for sightseeing, Mr. Lakshmi Narayanan ensured that all the guests consistently received a royal treatment.
Responsible Tourism
As mentioned on their website, Willow Hill is dedicated to green or sustainable tourism. The hotel shows its commitment through various eco-friendly measures such as foam flow faucets in the bathroom, bamboo toothbrushes, CLF low-energy-consumption bulbs, and tribal handloom furnishings. Also, the minimal plastic used in toiletries and waste are segregated and recycled. These efforts not only help minimize energy and product wastage, but also promote the local culture.
Great Food
Apart from their warm service, the food at Willow Hill deserves a special mention. I will soon unfold the details in the following sections.
The Hotel’s Lawn
This was my first time coming across a hotel that had a two-level lawn. The quickest way to get to this tempting space was via a flight of steps from the parking lot or the outdoor dining area.
On the first level, a gigantic Cypress tree stood tall, overlooking a couple of guests basking in the early morning sunlight. Under it were a pair of white patio chairs, a table, and a garden umbrella. The set-up seemed perfect for a romantic meal in the garden or for simply enjoying oneself in the serene atmosphere of the hill station.
The second level is landscaped for lazy afternoon strolls and bonfires at night (if the weather favors). According to the manager, the lawn’s maintenance is overseen by two skillful local gardeners. And truly, their efforts were visible through the vibrantly blooming orchids and unique animal topiaries.
However, what truly peaked my curiosity was the exquisitely crafted cypress doorways, each marked by a pebbled path. There were two of these — one on the first level that marked the entry from the outdoor area and another on the second level that opened up to a secret garden.
It was the mere existence of these mystical doorways that sprinkled a touch of magic and greatly enhanced the overall enigmatic charm of the lawn.
TWT Tip: While climbing the stairs is healthy, don’t miss out on the glass-covered elevator ride that offers a stunning view of the surrounding hills and valley.
The Room At Willow Hill By Nature Resorts, Ooty
The hotel has a total of 9 rooms that are named after unique plants and trees such as Spathodea, Jacaranda, Eucalyptus, Walnut, Cypress, Fir, Pinewood, Oakwood, and Tea Tree.
I stayed in Willow Hill’s Spathodea Room, which is one of the most spacious rooms in the hotel, featuring a private garden.
The Private Garden
The first captivating sight as you step into the room is the rolling private garden just beyond the glass wall. Both the Spathodea and the Eucalyptus rooms located on the ground floor enjoy the privilege of an English Garden with Eucalyptus trees. Closely resembling the hotel’s lawn, this garden also features an arrangement of white patio chairs and a table, creating the perfect spot for enjoying a cup of coffee amidst nature.
Interiors & Decor
The room’s interiors were meticulously designed to not just meet basic necessities, but to create an atmosphere of pure luxury. The room’s wooden ceiling, floorboard and wainscoted walls mirrored the charm of a cozy English log-cabin. Additionally, soft, warm lighting complemented the wooden interiors and casted a golden glow throughout the room.
The room had two segments to it, demarcated clearly by the furniture. A sitting area that opened out to the garden and the private area with the bed, closet and dressing table that led to the bathroom.
However, it is the specially curated, handpicked, vintage furniture adorning the room that warrants special mention. A classic solid-wood study-desk sat by the glass wall overlooking the garden. It was decorated with 3 miniature white vases and artificial flora that contrasted against the dark wood to present a picturesque sight. Adjacent to the desk was a hand carved coffee table with two vintage chairs, cushioned with a royal shade of green.
One of my favorite decor pieces was an antique, red-colored, rotary dial telephone that graced the bedside table. Another exquisite decor item used to accentuate the room was the symbolic red & white embroidered tea coasters woven by the Toda community (indigenous tribe of Ooty). It appeared to be an interesting way to uphold the local culture.
In-room Facilities
On the table, a red wooden caddy with two jars of complimentary cookies and a decorative brass fruit bowl added to the timeless charm.
As advocates of responsible tourism, they had not placed a single piece of plastic in the entire room. Two elegant glass water bottles replaced the typical disposable plastic ones.
A marble-topped tea table positioned alongside the classic king-sized bed, featured a charming wooden tea box stocked with 3 varieties of tea bags, coffee, milk and sugar, along with an electric kettle — perfect for those midnight ‘chai’ cravings.
TWT Tip: Each room of Willow Hill is equipped with a large flat screen TV and a free Netflix subscription, giving you a perfect chance to binge watch your favorite TV shows. Don’t forget to check it out if you’re big on the OTT shows.
The Bathroom
The bathroom was quite spacious and featured a shower cubicle with a glass-partition. The bath amenities included 2 bamboo toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving kit, earbuds, cotton ball, nail buffer, comb, shower caps, glycerin soaps, shampoo and hand wash. Additionally, fresh hand and bath towels were neatly placed on the towel racks.
Adding to the luxurious experience, the hotel also provides Fabindia’s bathrobes and bathroom slippers, a compact hair dryer and a yoga mat.
Food & Drinks At Willow Hill By Nature Resorts, Ooty
Dining at Willow Hill’s in-house restaurant, ‘Bird Of Paradise’ is an experience on its own. The dining area has an indoor and an outdoor sitting area. It offers an array of Indian and Continental dishes.
Similar to the rest of the hotel, the restaurant too is based on a Victorian theme. The interiors, featuring Saxon green-hued walls with wainscot wooden panels, mirrored the surrounding pine and deodar forests of Ooty. An old transistor radio played timeless classics as a young child admired an empty fireplace, probably used during the winter months.
Tempted by the cool mountain breeze and a breathtaking view of the landscape, I inevitably carried my plate to the outdoor area. This place is ideal for photographs and gives you a 180 degree uninterrupted view of the surrounding mountains.
Breakfast
The breakfast at Willow Hill is complementary and features a wide variety of Continental and Indian delicacies. Apart from white and brown bread, the menu included delicious herbed cheese, pancakes, muffins, donuts, boiled eggs, fresh fruits, juices & milkshakes, choice of omelet, veg puffs, dosa, idli, vada, sambar, chutney and puri.
Lunch
Willow Hill has an expansive lunch menu designed to cater to people with different food preferences. They also prepare vegan dishes if requested by their guests.
For lunch, I had ordered a bowl of Steamed Rice with Chicken Nilgiri Korma. The meal was served with Mango Pickle and 2 large appalams (Papad). The Chicken Nilgiri Korma had juicy pieces of boneless chicken in a flavorful gravy, enriched with fresh mint leaf and coconut puree.
You can choose to dine within the comfort of your room, in which case the menu is conveniently sent to you via WhatsApp. Alternatively, you can visit the restaurant as I did, and watch the fog descend upon the mountains while dining.
Dinner
The dinner menu is printed and handed over to the guests in the evening. Live Barbeque in the outdoor seating area is also available upon special request.
It featured 4-course, veg & non-veg Indian and Continental meal options. Craving some warm pasta in the cold mountain weather, I ordered a plate of Chicken Bolognese Pasta, along with Chicken & Veggie Cream Tortilla Soup, Freshly Grilled Chicken Tikka and Pineapple Kesari (dessert).
It would be a crime to simply say that the food tasted good. The Chicken Tortilla soup was absolutely delectable with 2 different varieties of Zucchini that popped an amazing blend of flavors in my palate. The pasta was cooked to perfection with mouth-watering Bolognese sauce and generous chunks of chicken, exotic vegetables and black olives. The Chicken Tikka was soft, succulent and juicy. And my favorite, the Pineapple Kesari, was just heavenly.
Other Amenities & Services At Willow Hill By Nature Resorts, Ooty
- Spacious parking area
- Bonfires (on request)
- Special occasion packages
- High speed free WiFi
- Complimentary breakfast
- Welcome drink
- Laundry service
- Shuttle service for airport transfers and local sightseeing (chargeable)
Cleanliness at Willow Hill by Nature Resorts, Ooty
The entire hotel is well-maintained and scores a perfect ten in the cleanliness department. Even with the occasional rain and mud, the winding wooden staircases, long corridors, and the dining area remained spick and span.
Location Of Willow Hill By Nature Resorts, Ooty
Willow Hill’s location is quite favorable for those seeking a quiet time amidst the mountains. Nestled approximately 2.6 km uphill from Ooty’s bustling Charring Cross, Willow Hill leaves the noise behind and provides its guests with a peaceful retreat.
The hotel is conveniently located just 2.8 km from Hotel Sarkar Palace which is the drop-off or pick-up point for most long-distance travel buses. And, the Udagamandalam Railway Station, locally called the Ooty Railway Station lies at a mere distance of 3.7 km from the hotel.
The closest airport to Willow Hill is the Coimbatore International Airport, located approximately 85 km away. The hotel arranges airport transfers (on additional charges) for its guests, thus ensuring hassle-free transportation to and from the hotel.
Here’s a quick list of local tourist attractions in Ooty and their distance from Willow Hill:
- Government Botanical Garden (3 Km)
- Tibetan Market (3 Km)
- St Stephen Church (1.7 Km)
- Stone House Museum (3.2 Km)
- Government Rose Garden (3.9 Km)
- Toda Temple (5.1 Km)
- The Tea Factory & The Tea Museum (6.1 Km)
- Tamil Nadu Tourism Ooty Boat House (4.7 Km)
- Karnataka Siri Horticulture Garden (6 Km)
TWT Experience Summary Of Willow Hill By Nature Resorts, Ooty
Willow Hill is a stay I will definitely recommend to my friends and family. The luxurious hotel truly enhanced my travel experience. From cozy interiors, extremely helpful staff, soul food, and panoramic vistas from its room and dining area, Willow Hill felt like a home away from home.
In fact, all the hotels by Nature Resorts, such as Sleeping Beauty (Aruvankadu), or Teanest (Coonoor), are known for their picturesque locations, gastronomic opulence, and warm hospitality. So if your Ooty trip itinerary also includes nearby hill stations like Aruvankadu, Coonoor, Kotagiri or Masinagudi, you can easily book your stay with Nature Resorts. This will also ensure easy hotel transfers within the Nature Resorts’ properties.
Inclusivity checklist:
✅ Kid-friendly
✅ Eco-friendly
✅ Vegan-friendly
✅ Family-friendly
✅ Couple-friendly
Check-In Time: 1 pm
Check-Out Time: 11 am
Price Per Night: INR 5804 – INR 8475 (rates may vary during peak seasons)
Address: Willow Hill by Nature Resorts, CM9X+GQW, Police Quarters, Pudumund, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643006.
Landmark: Opposite to King’s Cliff.
Location: Google Maps
Contact:
+91 – 8088855855
+91 – 7710029815 / 16 / 17
+91 – 7738018815
+91 – 7738066816
+91 – 22-23514592 / 93
(Mon to Sun 09.00 am to 06.00 pm)
Room Booking Link: Booking.com
Frequently Asked Questions On Hotel Willow Hill By Nature Resorts
1. How long does it take to reach Willow Hill by Nature Resorts from the Ooty bus stand?
The Ooty bus stand is just 3.6 km from the hotel, which roughly translates to about 14 minutes in a car/auto.
2. Is Willow Hill at a walkable distance from Charring Cross?
Willow Hill is located 2.6 km away, which is about a 24 minutes walk uphill via the Stephen Church Road. However, some parts of this road do not have street lights. Hence, it is advisable that you take an auto while returning to Willow Hill after a late-evening shopping or dining trip.
3. Is Willow Hill’s restaurant open to non-residents & what kind of cuisine does it offer?
Yes, Willow Hill’s restaurant Bird Of Paradise is open to all. However, non-residents need to make a reservation before hand. It offers a wide-variety of Indian and Continental cuisines. Some interesting delicacies that you can try are Nilgiris Fresh Vegetable Chowder Served On Bread Bowl, Creamy Chicken and Ooty Mushroom Soup, Eggs In The Blankets, Spinach Corn Mushroom Pie, Grilled Garden Fresh Ooty Veggies, Veg Tempura, Pahadi Paneer Tikkka, Dum Aloo Kashmiri, Meenkodambuli Curry, Meen Pollichathu, Mutton Vindaloo, Methi Paratha, and Apple Crumble Sundae.
4. What to buy during a trip to Ooty?
Ooty is famous for Nilgiri tea, spices and homemade chocolates. You can also buy unique Toda community-woven banana leaf shawls.
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5 thoughts on “Willow Hill by Nature Resorts Ooty: A Magical Boutique Stay”
Excellent reviews. By seeing the pictures I am getting excited to visit the place in our next trip to Ooty. Thank you for such detailed informations in your review.
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Thank you for taking the time to leave your valuable feedback on our content.
Thanks for the detailed review, appears to be a cozy nature stay in Ooty.
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