The Carlton, Kodaikanal — Luxury 5-Star Hotel, Rooms & Booking
The Carlton is a 5-star lake-view hotel on Lake Road, Kodaikanal, with 91 rooms and cottages, terrace gardens, an indoor pool, spa and fine dining.
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The Carlton, Kodaikanal, Lake Road, Kodaikanal
Lake Road, Kodaikanal, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu 624101
Also known as Carlton Kodaikanal, The Carlton Hotel Kodaikanal.
The Carlton is a 5-star lake-view hotel on Lake Road in Kodaikanal, with 91 rooms, suites and cottages, terrace gardens, an indoor pool, spa and fine dining, about 120 km (a 2.5–3 hour drive) from Madurai Airport. Coaker's Walk is 1 km away.
Facts reviewed July 2026 by the FlightGPT editorial team · editorial policy · fact-checking · live rates and availability confirmed at booking.
The Carlton, Kodaikanal — quick facts
Address: Lake Road, Kodaikanal, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu 624101
Category: 5-Star hotel
Price: Typically ₹10,000–20,000/night
Check-in / out: 14:00 / 12:00
Distance to MDU airport: 120 km (~165 min by car)
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The Carlton, Kodaikanal is a 5-star hotel on Lake Road, set on the banks of Kodaikanal Lake in the Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu. Operated under the K. Raheja Group, it is the best-known luxury property in the hill station, with 91 rooms, suites and cottages and terrace gardens that look out over the lake. The architecture and decor draw on Kodaikanal's colonial heritage, and the lakefront position is the hotel's defining feature.
Kodaikanal is a high-altitude hill station around 2,100 metres above sea level, known for cool weather, mist and forested slopes, and The Carlton's setting puts guests within walking distance of the lake and the town's main promenade.
Location & Getting There
The hotel is on Lake Road, beside Kodaikanal Lake, roughly 200 metres from the water and a short walk from Coaker's Walk and Bryant Park. Reaching Kodaikanal involves a hill drive, so distances matter. Madurai Airport is the nearest airport at about 120 km, a drive of roughly 2.5 to 3 hours up the ghat roads. Kodai Road railway station, on the plains, is around 80 km away, about a two-hour drive. Travellers should plan for the winding final stretch into the hills, which is scenic but slow.
Rooms & Suites
Accommodation is split across the main building and standalone cottages. Deluxe and Super Deluxe Rooms have private balconies with lake views, wooden flooring and classic decor, and the larger rooms add minibars and in-room safes. Executive Suites provide a separate living area, and the stone-built Cottages sit in private gardens overlooking the lake, giving a more secluded feel away from the main hotel. Most rooms are oriented to make the most of the lake and garden views.
Dining
Silver Oak is the fine-dining restaurant, serving multi-cuisine menus in a setting that suits the hill-station mood. The Hearth Coffee Cafe handles coffee, tea and lighter fare, welcome in the cool climate, and the End of The Road Bar serves cocktails and drinks. In-room dining is available. Given Kodaikanal's compact town centre, much of a guest's eating is likely to happen on-site, and the hotel's restaurants are geared accordingly.
Amenities, Spa & Pool
The hotel has an indoor heated swimming pool, sensible given the cool hill climate, along with a spa and a fitness centre. Terrace gardens overlook the lake, and there is a library, indoor games and a kids' play area for downtime when the weather closes in. Conference and banquet venues support events and small weddings. Free Wi-Fi and a travel desk round out the facilities.
Experiences & Things to Do Nearby
Kodaikanal Lake, beside the hotel, offers boating and cycling along its shore. Coaker's Walk, about 1 km away, is a cliff-edge path with valley views, and Bryant Park, around 500 metres off, is the town's botanical garden. Further out, Pillar Rocks (about 8 km), Green Valley View, also called Suicide Point (about 6 km), and Silver Cascade Falls (about 8 km) are the classic Kodaikanal viewpoints. The surrounding shola forests and trekking routes make the hotel a comfortable base for exploring the hills.
Who It's Best For
The Carlton is best for travellers who want the premier lake-view address in Kodaikanal, couples on honeymoons or romantic breaks drawn to the misty hill setting, and families wanting a comfortable, full-service base in the hills. It sits at the top of Kodaikanal's price range, in keeping with its position and lakefront location. Visitors should factor in the long, winding drive up from Madurai or the plains, but once there the hotel is among the most established luxury stays in the hill station.
The Carlton, Kodaikanal — room types
Room
What you get
Deluxe Room
Rooms with private balconies and views of Kodaikanal Lake, with wooden flooring and classic decor.
Super Deluxe Room
Larger rooms with attached balconies, lake views, minibars and in-room safes.
Executive Suite
Suites with a spacious living area and lake views for premium stays.
Cottage
Stone-built cottages with private gardens overlooking the lake, set apart from the main building.
Dining at The Carlton, Kodaikanal
Outlet
Cuisine / type
Silver Oak
Fine-dining multi-cuisine restaurant
The Hearth Coffee Cafe
Café
End of The Road Bar
Bar
What's near The Carlton, Kodaikanal
Landmark
Distance
Approx. on foot
Kodaikanal Lake
0.2 km
~2 min walk
Coaker's Walk
1 km
~12 min walk
Bryant Park
0.5 km
~6 min walk
Pillar Rocks
8 km
short taxi/auto
Green Valley View (Suicide Point)
6 km
short taxi/auto
Silver Cascade Falls
8 km
short taxi/auto
Distances are straight-line estimates; walking times assume roughly 12 minutes per km. Confirm routes locally.
Price & value
Typically ₹10,000–20,000/night across its 4 listed room categories — the exact rate for your dates is confirmed at booking. As with any hotel, prices move with season, day of week and how far ahead you book; flexible (refundable) plans typically cost more than advance-purchase ones for the same room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Carlton, Kodaikanal located?
It is on Lake Road beside Kodaikanal Lake in the Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu, within walking distance of Coaker's Walk and Bryant Park.
How far is the hotel from the nearest airport?
Madurai Airport is the nearest at about 120 km, a drive of roughly 2.5 to 3 hours up the hill roads.
How many rooms does The Carlton have?
The hotel has 91 rooms, including suites and a small number of standalone cottages.
Does the hotel have lake views?
Yes, it sits beside Kodaikanal Lake and most rooms, the terrace gardens and the cottages are oriented towards the water.
Is there a swimming pool given the cold weather?
Yes, there is an indoor heated swimming pool, along with a spa and fitness centre.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 2:00 pm and check-out is by 12:00 noon.
Which hotel group runs The Carlton, Kodaikanal?
The Carlton, Kodaikanal is operated under K. Raheja Group.
What dining options does The Carlton, Kodaikanal have?
The Carlton, Kodaikanal has 3 listed outlets: Silver Oak, The Hearth Coffee Cafe, End of The Road Bar.
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