Tripp.in receives numerous contributions from India travel specialists, Backpackers, Luxury hotels, Home stay owners and fellow trippers. Diana Barucha emailed us about their 107 year old home stay.
The Bharucha family, proud inheritors of Themi Villa, in Coonoor – Nilgiris, decided to convert it into a home stay and called it ‘Great Grand fathers Holiday home-stay’! This house has been restored with much love and affection in the fond memory of Mr. Mherwanji Eduji Bhumgara, (the Great grand father ) the then Chief Engineer of Coonoor Municipality, who bought this house in 1948 as the 11th owner.
Great Grandpa Meherwanjee
Guests can use the whole house, which has a foyer, 3 bed rooms, (1 family TV room that doubles up as a bed room without privacy), all having attached toilets. A sitting room, dressing room and dining cum kitchen. 2 single additional mattress can be provided in the master bed room or sitting room at an additional cost. The house has a small garden with old trees where you can sit out to see the valley view; maximum 2 cars can be accommodated.
colonial beauty
homestay inside
Tariff :
The House tariff (3 bed rooms) US$125 (foreigners) / Rs 5000 ( Indians) per night . (Includes simple Indian / English breakfast for 4 adults and 2 children )
Non-peak season prices: US$ 75 (foreigners)/ Rs. 3000 (Indians) per night.
Maximum occupancy possible 6 adults and 2 children @ nominal up charge
Why go here:
- Chill out and soak in the mountain air. That’s why you would primarily go to Coonoor.
- You are a train hobbyist and want to check out the steam engine running to Coonoor from Coimbatore
- Get to experience the colonial heritage feel maintained by the proud owners
- Feast on authentic Parsi cuisine (book in advance) like Dhansak, Salli boti, Lagan nu custard and many more hard-to-find delicacies.
- Tiger spotting trips to Madhumalai forests a few hours away.
coonoor railway station
How to get there:
Themi Villa, 23, Appleby Road, Near St Joseph’s College,
Wellington Bazaar P.O, Coonoor . Nilgiris 643 232
A wonderful way to commence your journey is by boarding the ‘100 year old ‘ steam engine Niligiri mountain train from Mettupalayam ( 37 kilometers, an hours journey from Coimbatore the closest rail / air station) the foot hills of Niligiris, to Coonoor about 4 hours journey. The Niligiri Mountain train enjoys the UNESCO world heritage status.
coonoor tea gardens
You could also come up by Taxi or by bus from Coimbatore (Nearest Airport) directly 71 kilometers away, which is about 3 hours journey. Alternately Coonoor can also be reached from Bangalore via Mysore, Bandipur wild life sanctuary, Madhumalai tiger reserve and Ooty by taxi or bus – 7 to 8 hours journey.
Contact them at +919880433711 or e mail dianabharucha@gmail.com