WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace

Fern Hills Palace The three words that best define this place: Stinky, Dilapidated, Disgusting. This place would be ok as a Museum and it also has the feel of a Mausoleum. One wonders if the ghosts of the past residents and the British are condemned to roam around the premises and contribute to the stench. There are ***y rare photographs of the Wadiyar family and large photographs of the celebration of a cruel fox-hunt that the Britishers held here and the Wadiyars, who were loyal servants of the Empire, took part in. The foxes probably cursed this place before they were killed and that would explain why this place is disgusting. I've stayed at more than a few hundred different hotels and resorts around the world. This place was the absolute worst, in terms of the condition of the building, its maintenance, the quality of the furniture and the rooms. If you have stayed at any five star hotel or resort in India, be assured that the hotel or resort is way better than this place. There is no gym, no swimming pool, very limited buffet options, and the pool table has been out of service for a long time because the Wadiyar Group is too cheap to repair it. As you walk up to the front desk, the desolate place gives a sense of gloominess, sorrow and grief. This place used to be owned by a few white Britishers before a Wadiyar Prince bought it. There is a plaque that says Wadiyar Group near the front desk. From what I gathered, the Queen comes and stays here. The poor lady must have bad eyesight and also lost her sense of smell as the rooms stink and the furniture looks so cheap, old and gross. Some of the reasons for the stinky rooms is poor ventilation and high amounts of moisture in the rooms, mainly because the roof leaks in ***y places and is in dire need of repair. In a Suite, there are three or more rooms plus a bathroom and they are cold. Only one electric heater will work because the electric wiring is so old, if more heaters were turned on simultaneously, it would trip the circuit. So, only one heater pathetically attempts to heat four rooms. The hotel does provide hot water bottles to stick in your bed. I would be glad to tell the Wadiyar Group people what part of their anatomy they can stick the hot water bottles up. The current Dining Room was a ballroom for the British and they stopped dancing there because the floor was unsafe to dance upon. If the floor was unsafe to dance on, and it probably has never been repaired, how is it now safe to walk on? There was a large tarp covering part of the dining floor because the roof leaks. I feel bad ripping the Wadiyar Group and this Hotel a new one, but the hotel is in dire need of repair. Stop being greedy and fix the roof, ventilate and deodorize the rooms, and update the furniture and amenities to match other hotels. Save your money: have a look around then leave.

We had a Memorable stay at Fern Hill Royal Palace. We had a warm welcome from Mr.Parasuram (General ***ager). He was very kind enough to take us for a walk around the Palace and explained us in detail about it's history. We were very delighted to know that Royal Family still uses the Palace for their vacation. Each and every part of the Palace is unquie with it's design and our 6 years old daughter too had a good time. We stayed in Maharani suite which had complete wooden flooring and traditional wardrobes made out of teak. Bathroom was quote big with Jacuzzi. Thanks to William for providing us with good spread of dishes and service.

Staying here was like stepping back in time. We stayed for 2 nights on our trip to Ooty. The hotel is from a bygone era , you really get an insight of this with all the photographs of the Royal Family when they stayed here back in the day. The property has got all its original features but is desperately in need of some love and attention to preserve it. We had no complaints about our room - large and airy , with a little sitting area and big bathroom. All the furniture was in keeping with period of the property. We found it to be very clean but because there is some dampness in the bathroom there are some marks on the ceiling. The food was very good , we had dinner one night and just a simple breakfast is as our choice, but there seemed to be a good choice for others. The few staff were very friendly and helpful. They were trying so hard to give good service but we could tell they were under a little pressure from other not so satisfied and de***ding guests. I actually felt quite sorry for them. If you decide to stay here do not expect modern luxury of chain hotels and try to keep an open mind. We think you will probably forget some of the modern hotels you will stay in , but like us you will never forget your stay here ! I would say to the owners of this hotel you have great staff but you need to make some inves**ent in your property before it’s too late. It could be an absolute gem and the star of Ooty.

Should have read the reviews before going - joke. Shame because the location is beautiful. Thought I would have a drink in the garden, but they do not serve alcohol? Although the bar is full of alcohol? . I was offered beer - it’s being a not alcohol? I was told they’d run out 🤪. I was told I could have teal coffee only to be you told they had no tea, so I opted for coffee. I came back with tea as they found some 😳. 300 rp for a very average lukewarm tea. Was very glad I wasn’t staying here at 12000 rp a night!

This hotel should have everything going for it. The location is great and from a distance the building looks lovely. However Faulty Towers would rate a 5* in comparison!! The hotel does not have sufficient staff, and although well meaning they lacked training. The food was good but service terrible. Tables were left dirty from the previous meal, food never matched what was ordered. The building needs significant structural work. The rooms smell of damp and our bathroom ceiling was crumbling away. They have a fully stocked bar but no drinks licence...so you have to bring your own. The welcome was cold and impersonal and lacked the "heritage" expectations. All in all not a great place to stay. And based on what we paid there are far better hotels in Ooty for much less. I very rarely give such a negative review but want people to be aware before booking. will put this one down to posterity.

There was no heat even though the temperature was below 50 degree Fahrenheit. The shower did not work and the food for breakfast had run out. Our rooms had absolutely no windows or sunlight. Badly needs renovation. Most importantly it’s being run with skimpy staff and so no one answered the telephones or took care of you. Sad because bones of property are great.

How should I begin - " A celebration of mediocrity". We started off on the wrong foot from the moment we landed at this property. We were "greeted" at the so called reception / lobby area (which is almost the size of my attic) by a *** dressed like a pallbearer who found it extremely difficult to smile or show any warmth but rather stare back at you! When I was asked for an ID, which I readily gave, he proceeded to take a photo of it despite my repeated protests! From then on things started to go downhill very swiftly. We were not offered any welcome drinks / refreshments (mind you this is a heritage palace) which is standard across all properties of this stature. My first thoughts of the palace per se is not one of awe. The bulding though majestic is in a fragile condition with parts of it appearing to crumble. The interiors are cold and damp with a musty smell. However the old photographs from a bygone era that line the walls and the woodwork does render it a regal tone. We were taken (I won't use the word ushered) into the Kotada suite which in itself is quite nice and well appointed in the old fashion way but definitely cold & damp due to the lack of modern insulation. The *** at the reception also told us that hot water will be "available" in the room from 6am to 10am and 6pm to 10pm only - now how's that for a place tagged a luxury palace?!! It seems they want to conserve the diesel in the generator - quite strange!! Anyhow we spent the rest of the day outside sigtseeing and only returned back to the hotel later at night. There was one warmer in the room which was wholly inadequate for a room of that size - but we got through the night somehow. The real disaster unfolded next day at breakfast. That is when I realized what a shambolic operation they really are. The entire place is run by complete amateurs with absolutely no clue what hospitality is about. The breakfast spread looked like a complete pig sty with bread slices on the floor, curry strewn on the table cloth and everything in complete and utter disarray. Most of the food counters did not even have any food in it. There was no labelling as to what dish was kept on the buffet table. The table we sat was filthy with food stains and no cutlery. Then about the waiters - there were two of them running helter skelter without a clue as to what was going on. Our food was served cold and in the most unhygenic way possible. The waiters were literally shouting out orders to someone standing near the kitchen. My son almost threw up after drinking the so called pineapple juice. This was simply the most disgusting and discourteous breakfast experience I've ever encountered in a hotel. The Ananda Bhavan near by would have done a better job at treating their guests. By this time I had made up my mind and I was prepared to leave. We had one more night left to stay but enough was enough I immediately asked to prepare the bill for check-out. Normally I don't type out such an elaborate review ab

The property is good and luxurious but there is no other development at the property. Only rooms for stay and a restaurant/cafe for dining. Our package was inclusive of breakfast but they didn't spread any buffet which is understandable due to limited guests. The breakfast was served as per our choice from the limited options given by the hotel. The options are basic and same on all days, that is something the hotel should improve upon. Moreover, Parathas are very thick, and they serve cold breakfast - Sambhar, toasts, omelet. Upon complaining about that, they said that the cook is different today which doesn't seem a valid reason. The breakfast is definitely not up to the standard of the hotel and the service is pathetic as there is only one waiter.

Worth the money, very nice heritage property, well maintained