Where to Stay in Kodaikanal: A Local's Honest Guide
Most "where to stay in Kodaikanal" posts read like a sales pitch — usually for the property publishing them. We thought we'd try a more honest one.
The truth is, there isn't a single best area. Kodai is small enough that nowhere is really far, but the experience changes a lot depending on whether you're walking out of your stay into the buzz of town or waking up to terraced hills with no one around. Both are good. They're just different trips.
Here's how to think about it.
Closer to town: lake area, Coaker's Walk, and the town center
Staying near the center means you can simply walk to attractions like Coaker's Walk, Kodai Lake, Bryant Park, and Poet Thyagaraja Road, where most of the cafés and restaurants are. You'll save on cab fares and have everything at your doorstep. (At Sunnyside Up, we're tucked just far enough from the bustle to give you peace, but close enough that you can still reach the town's highlights without hassle.)
This is the right choice if it's your first trip to Kodai, or if you're traveling with older parents or young kids who'll appreciate not being in a car all day, or if you just want the option of strolling out for dinner without planning around a driver.
The trade-off is that the town area is busier, especially during peak season (April–June) and weekends. The closer you get to the lake itself, the more crowded it feels. Look for places set back into the residential lanes — you get the walkability without the noise.
A little out of town: Vattakanal, Poombarai, and beyond
Spots like Poombarai or Vattakanal are perfect if you want to wake up to terraced hills and quieter surroundings. The trade-off is that you'll need to take a cab to get around, but the reward is fewer crowds and a slower pace.
Vattakanal is about 8 km from town, popular with longer-stay travelers and people who want a more bohemian, slowed-down vibe. There are a few cafés and a small backpacker scene. It's gorgeous, but it's also developed quickly in recent years, and on weekends it gets its own crowds.
Poombarai is further still — about 18 km — and is the postcard version of Kodai: terraced fields, mist rolling through the valley, very few tourists. Great if you want to disappear for a few days. Less great if you want to pop into town for dinner.
This kind of stay works best on a longer trip (four days or more), or if you've been to Kodai before and aren't trying to tick off the standard sights. On a short trip, the daily commute to and from town eats into your time.
Resort, homestay, or budget hotel: which one's right?
Once you've picked an area, the next question is what kind of stay. A few honest takes:
Resorts are what most people default to, especially if they're booking through Booking.com or MakeMyTrip. The bigger names (The Carlton, Sterling, Tamara) have full-service amenities — restaurants, spas, room service — and they're a safe bet if you want predictability. The downside is that they can feel a bit corporate, and you don't get much sense of Kodai itself. Good for short trips, business stays, or if you're traveling with people who want the hotel experience.
Homestays are where Kodai shines, in our admittedly biased opinion. You get more character, more local knowledge, and usually better food than a hotel restaurant. Hosts can help with cab arrangements, suggest off-the-beaten-path spots, and give you a real sense of the place. Quality varies, so read reviews carefully — look for ones that mention the host or caretaker by name, that's usually a good sign.
The bedroom in Sunnyside Up
Budget hotels are plentiful around the bus stand and Anna Salai. They're fine for one or two nights if you're on a tight budget or just passing through, but Kodai's charm is in slowing down, and the cheapest options often don't have the warmth or quiet that makes the trip worth it. If you can stretch even slightly above budget, a small homestay almost always beats a budget hotel for the same money.
A few things worth knowing before you book
Book early in peak season. April to June and the December–January week fill up fast. Prices on the same property can double during these windows.
Heating matters in winter. From November through February, evenings are genuinely cold. Confirm the property has either room heaters or a working fireplace before you book. Not all do.
Check what's actually walkable. "Near the lake" can mean a 5-minute walk or a 25-minute uphill climb. Ask specifically, or check the location on a map before booking.
Read the recent reviews. Properties in Kodai change hands and standards drift. The reviews from the last six months tell you more than the overall rating.
If you'd like to know more about staying with us, you can read about Sunnyside Up here, or write to us with any questions — even if you end up booking somewhere else, we're happy to help you figure out what's right for your trip.
