We stayed for a day at the Tea Nest near Coonoor during our latest trip to the Nilgiris in the month of July. There are certain places which you instantly feel like visiting when you see the pictures of them and this was one such destination for us. We thoroughly enjoyed our short stay at the Tea Nest and would love to visit again at the earliest possible opportunity.

About Tea Nest:

Tucked away in the middle of endless hills covered with tea plantations in the outskirts of Coonoor, Tea Nest is an ultimate retreat for someone who is willing to spend a few quiet days away from the hustle-bustle of the city life. Everything at the Tea Nest revolves around the concept of tea- be it the cozy rooms named after the different flavors of tea, or the tea-infused special menu or the interiors and the decor. The stately mansion built in the 1800s was home to a British Aristocrat and then a tea school until the Nature Resorts took it over and transformed it into a budget homestay. The mansion is located on the slope of a hill in the Singara Tea Estate and offers a panoramic view of the tea estate surrounding it on all four sides.

Accommodation:

Tea Nest has 6 rooms named after the popular tea flavors/types – Lemon, Chamomile, Jasmine, Golden Tips, Silver Tips and Green. Each room is tastefully decked up with period furniture and a working fireplace. The minimalistic interiors give a colonial feel to rooms. The large sitting area decked up with plush furniture and artifacts opens up to a lush green tea plantation with its huge door and tall windows. Our personal favorite was the Jasmine room which is located away from the other rooms. It opens up to a beautiful garden and a small glasshouse having many varieties of orchids. Tea Nest Annexe located just a little distance away from the Tea Nest is a world in itself. The beautiful mansion which was built to accommodate the manager of the estate and his family has been modified into a homestay to offer its guests an experience of plantation managers lifestyle during the British era. It has two beautiful rooms namely Basil and Rosemary which offer a panoramic view of the tea estate.

Activities:

The best thing one can enjoy during the stay at the tea Nest is walking or cycling in the endless tea plantations.  It is very likely for anyone to see herds of wild bisons grazing peacefully in the middle of the estates. The popular tourist spots like Lamb’s rock and Dolphin’s Nose are situated very close by. The homestay has an array of books and board games  for all age groups. The adventurous souls can try cycling or trekking along the multiple trails surrounding the tea estate and in the Nilgiris. A tea tour is one unique experience we would suggest everyone try which would include a  tea tasting session to explore the myriad colors and flavors of tea. Not to forget that the location of Tea Nest is so serene that one can engage endlessly in clicking pictures and loose track of time. There are many more activities on offer, the details of which you can check on their website.

Food:

The Homestay offers a complimentary breakfast as part of the stay but the guests will have to pay for lunch and dinner. The food prepared is very homely and reasonably priced. The complimentary breakfast has a good spread which includes a couple of Indian delicacies along with English breakfast. Do not forget to try the seven-course tea menu lunch specially prepared by the in-house master chef, each course of which is infused with a flavor of the tea.

Tariff:

Tea Nest and Tea Nest Annexe have different types of rooms to cater to different needs. Please check their website for more details about the rooms and their pricing.

Getting there:

Tea Nest is located in the Singara Tea Estate off the Dolphin’s Nose road. The best way to reach is either by driving your own vehicle or hiring a taxi.

Distance from various cities:

• 24 Km from Ooty.
• 5 Km from Coonoor.
• 298 Km from Bangalore.
• 150 Km from Mysore.
• 75 Km from Coimbatore.

Tips:

• Since there is a lot of walking involved, leave your fancy sandals behind and wear comfortable flats or shoes.
• Nights could get pretty cold during winters. Carry adequate layers of clothes.
• Tea Nest is a photographers paradise. So do not forget to carry a good camera and extra memory cards.
• If you love to get pampered in luxury, you should try the Kurumba Village Resort nestled amidst the fragrant tea plantations owned by Nature resorts.

A huge shoutout to The Nature Resorts for hosting us at Tea Nest during our stay at Coonoor.

If you are looking for an adventurous road trip across the Nilgiris, read our ultimate itinerary for a weeklong budget trip to Ooty and Coonoor.