Luxury Bungalows
Colonial Charm Meets Modern Comfort
There was a time when the British, missing the country houses of England, built bungalows across India's hill stations and tea estates -- thick-walled, high-ceilinged retreats with fireplaces that crackled against the mountain cold and verandahs that framed views the architects back home could only dream of. Those bungalows still stand, and the best of them have been restored with the kind of care that respects history while embracing comfort. Our curated luxury bungalows are scattered across India's most scenic landscapes. In the Nilgiris, former tea planters' bungalows overlook carpets of green stretching to the horizon, staffed by butlers who serve bed tea at dawn and stoke the fireplace at dusk. In Coorg, coffee estate bungalows offer private gardens where cardamom grows wild and the air smells like a premium roastery. In Rajasthan, havelis with courtyard gardens and jharokha windows offer a living lesson in Rajput architecture. These are not hotels. They are private residences opened to a select few guests at a time, which means the experience is intimate, unhurried, and deeply personal. The cook prepares meals to your preference, not a buffet template. The gardener shows you around the property, naming every tree. The caretaker shares stories of the bungalow's original owners -- the collectors, the planters, the maharajas -- whose portraits still watch from the walls. The pace of a bungalow stay is deliberately slow. There is no check-out time to stress about, no restaurant reservation to rush toward. Mornings unfold on the verandah with a book and unlimited tea. Afternoons might involve a walk through the estate, a nap in a planter's chair, or a conversation with the cook about the evening menu. This is luxury defined not by excess but by the generous use of time and space.
What Makes It Special
Heritage architecture restored with authentic details -- original flooring, period furniture, fireplaces, and verandahs
Private estates with gardens, orchards, and walking trails exclusive to bungalow guests
Personalized service with a dedicated cook, caretaker, and butler attending to your every need
Meals tailored to your preferences using local, seasonal ingredients from the estate or nearby farms
Fireside evenings in wood-paneled rooms that have hosted conversations for over a century
A genuine sense of place -- each bungalow tells the story of its era, region, and original inhabitants
Amenities
Perfect For
Unique Experiences
Estate Walk with the Planter
Walk the grounds with the estate manager who knows every tree, every microclimate, every story. Learn about tea cultivation, coffee processing, or spice gardening from someone whose family has tended the land for generations.
Heritage Dinner
A multi-course dinner served in the formal dining room, prepared by the bungalow cook using recipes that have been in the kitchen for decades. Silver service, crystal glasses, and courses that trace the culinary heritage of the region.
Fireside Storytelling
After dinner, settle into a leather armchair by the fireplace. The caretaker shares tales of the bungalow's history -- the scandals, the celebrations, the ghost stories that every old house accumulates over time.
Morning Tea Ritual
Bed tea arrives at your door before dawn, brewed from leaves picked on the estate. Sip it on the verandah as mist lifts from the valleys and the garden reveals itself in stages -- flowers first, then trees, then the horizon.
Private Cooking Session
Spend an afternoon with the bungalow cook learning regional recipes passed down through the kitchen. From Nilgiri-style kuruma to Coorgi pandi curry, these are dishes you will not find in any cookbook.
Where to Experience Luxury Bungalows
Available across 11+ stunning locations
Ooty
Coonoor
Coorg
Munnar
Darjeeling
Shimla
Nainital
Udaipur
Jaipur
Fort Kochi
Pondicherry
Things to Know
Bungalows are typically rented as entire properties. This means you have the whole house to yourself but also the full cost.
Heritage properties have character, which sometimes means creaky floors, older plumbing, and the occasional quirk. Embrace it.
Staff (cook, caretaker, butler) live on the property and are available during set hours. Communicate meal times and preferences on arrival.
Hill station bungalows can be cold. Fireplaces and hot water bottles are standard, but pack warm clothing.
These are remote properties. Stock up on any personal necessities before arriving -- the nearest shop may be a drive away.
Minimum stay requirements often apply, especially during peak season. Two-night minimums are common.
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