Gateway Coonoor is a 5-star IHCL heritage hotel in an 1857 colonial manor in Upper Coonoor, with 36 rooms, the Peony restaurant and Nilgiri tea-country views.
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Gateway Coonoor is a 5-star IHCL heritage hotel in Upper Coonoor, set in an 1857 colonial manor, with 36 rooms and suites, the Peony restaurant and a colonial bar, about 70 km from Coimbatore airport.
Live rates and availability confirmed at booking. All prices indicative — updated June 2026.
Gateway Coonoor is a five-star heritage hotel run by IHCL in Upper Coonoor, in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. The building began life in 1857 as Hampton Manor, and the property keeps much of that colonial character — high ceilings, period detailing, manicured gardens and views across tea slopes — while operating to modern five-star standards under the Gateway brand. At an altitude of roughly 1,800 metres, Coonoor is cooler and quieter than its better-known neighbour Ooty, and this hotel is one of the town's calmest places to stay.
It is a heritage stay rather than a resort with sprawling facilities: the appeal is the old-world atmosphere, the gardens and the hill outlooks, not a large pool complex or extensive activity menu. The hotel's age gives it a genuine sense of history, and the surrounding tea gardens, mist and birdsong set a slow, restorative pace. For travellers who find Ooty too busy, Coonoor — and this manor in particular — offers the same Nilgiri scenery with far more peace.
The hotel is on Church Road in Upper Coonoor, close to Sim's Park and the Coonoor railway station on the heritage Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport (CJB), about 70 km away and roughly a 1.5-hour drive up the Nilgiri ghat road, with its tight hairpin bends and tea-clad slopes. Coonoor also sits on the famous toy-train line from Mettupalayam, and arriving by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway is an experience in itself, with the steam-hauled section between Mettupalayam and Coonoor among the most scenic stretches of railway in India. Mettupalayam, at the foot of the hills, is the nearest broad-gauge railhead for those connecting from Chennai or Bengaluru.
There are around 36 rooms and suites, including Deluxe and Luxury categories and a small number of suites. Rooms carry heritage styling — period furniture, wood detailing and warm tones — and look out over the gardens, the valley or the surrounding tea estates. Luxury rooms are more generously sized, while suites add a separate living area and the most expansive hill views. Because the property is intimate and the building old, no two stays feel identical, and the colonial-manor character — fireplaces, timber and tall windows — is very much part of the draw rather than incidental to it.
Peony is the multi-cuisine restaurant, pairing Indian and international dishes with local Nilgiri flavours and, naturally, the region's tea, which is among the finest in the country. The Hampton Bar is a colonial-style lounge for an unhurried drink, in keeping with the manor's history, with the kind of clubby atmosphere the building's age lends itself to. A library lounge and garden areas give further spots to settle with a book or a pot of tea, and an afternoon spent reading by a window as the mist rolls in is one of the simple pleasures of a stay here.
This is a heritage hotel rather than a full resort, so facilities are deliberately understated: landscaped gardens, a library lounge, a travel desk, room service, free parking and Wi-Fi. The real amenity here is the setting — the cool climate, the tea-country views and the quiet — so guests after a busy spa-and-pool resort should weigh that up, while those seeking calm and character will find it a strong fit. The gardens, with their colonial-era plantings, are a destination in their own right and reward an unhurried wander.
Coonoor is tea country, and several estates and viewpoints are within a short drive. Sim's Park, a terraced botanical garden, is barely 2 km away; the Dolphin's Nose and Lamb's Rock viewpoints overlook deep, forested valleys and the Catherine Falls in the distance; and the Highfield Tea Estate offers factory visits and tastings that explain how Nilgiri tea is made. A ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage line, is the classic Coonoor outing, and Ooty is about 19 km away for those who want to combine the two hill towns. Tea-tasting, nature walks, birdwatching and visits to the Sim's Park flower show in season fill out an itinerary.
Gateway Coonoor suits couples, honeymooners and heritage enthusiasts who want colonial character, cool weather and tea-country views over resort-style facilities. It is ideal for a quiet Nilgiri break, for travellers arriving by the toy train, and for anyone touring Coonoor and Ooty together at a gentle pace. Guests who specifically want a large pool, extensive spa or a children's activity programme may prefer a different, more resort-oriented property — but for atmosphere and a real sense of the old Nilgiris, this manor is hard to beat.
| Room | What you get |
|---|---|
| Deluxe Room | Heritage-style room with period detailing, valley or garden views and warm furnishings. |
| Luxury Room | Larger room with seating area and outlooks over the Nilgiri hills and tea slopes. |
| Suite | Spacious suite with a separate living area, colonial character and panoramic hill views. |
| Outlet | Cuisine / type |
|---|---|
| Peony | Multi-cuisine restaurant with local Nilgiri flavours |
| The Hampton Bar | Colonial-style lounge bar |
| Landmark | Distance | Approx. on foot |
|---|---|---|
| Sim's Park | 2 km | ~24 min walk |
| Dolphin's Nose viewpoint | 10 km | short taxi/auto |
| Lamb's Rock | 8 km | short taxi/auto |
| Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Coonoor station) | 3 km | short taxi/auto |
| Ooty (Udhagamandalam) | 19 km | short taxi/auto |
| Highfield Tea Estate | 4 km | short taxi/auto |
Distances are straight-line estimates; walking times assume roughly 12 minutes per km. Confirm routes locally.
The building dates to 1857, when it was known as Hampton Manor. It is now a five-star heritage hotel operated by IHCL under the Gateway brand.
The hotel has around 36 rooms and suites, including Deluxe and Luxury rooms plus a small number of suites with hill views.
Coimbatore International Airport (CJB) is about 70 km away, roughly a 1.5-hour drive up the Nilgiri ghat road.
Yes. Coonoor is a station on the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and the hotel is close to the station; the heritage railway runs from Mettupalayam via Coonoor to Ooty.
Peony is the multi-cuisine restaurant and The Hampton Bar is a colonial-style lounge. A library lounge and gardens add further spaces to relax.
Visit Sim's Park, the Dolphin's Nose and Lamb's Rock viewpoints, Highfield Tea Estate, ride the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, or take a day trip to Ooty.