It was our anniversary and we thought we would go to a lesser commercial place like conoor instead of Ooty. We were not disappointed at the choice of our hotel. The staff was excellent right from the rousing reception that we received When we were made to feel like Gods descended, basically we were garlanded with exotic flowers. The check in process was fairly fast and we were promtly shown the way to our room
The look of the room from outside reminds us of a hotel in the Middle East with white paint an amazing pottery mounted on the walls with the rustic look of the door. The rooms are spacious, there is a reading table that is provided in a separate room a television that's mounted at a right angle for you to watch your favourite program on the main room while taking rest, and of course the wash room which is equipped with a telephone like most of the modern hotels just in case someone calls you when you are in the middle of a warm shower
The main room also has a fireplace with the front office personnel at our beck and call to light it up in the evenings when it becomes fairly chilly.
The dining provides delicacies that would make you forget that you are in deep south. I have ordered for Malai Kofta and was extremely delighted with the taste, paneer dish in a Southern Hotel was definitely surprising and delighted me
It was a very busy evening on the 16th of sept which was a Friday and this day happens to be our anniversary. Despite a short notice to reserve 2 seats for our dinner the hotel staff defied huge crowds, they not only reserved the table but also decorated it with flowers in a heart shape And the chef has made us a delectable Chocolate Mousse which was eggless and was deliciously prepared to make our anniversary a memorable one
Even during a random walk on the pathway you would come across hotel personnel who is ever helpful , we had countless pictures clicked with their help. Afternoons can become a bit lazy considering the cold climate and in order to beat the laziness there is a recreation room that allows you to indulge in Foosball, table tennis, carrom board and host of other board games that might suit your aptitude
You also get a parental treatment in a nice way especially when you are about to miss your breakfast you get a prompt call asking why you are missing your breakfast and were invited to indulge on the breakfast spread
The transport desk is also ever helpful guiding you to the right locations where you could shop and get good deals
Overall the staff personnel were trained to delight, and made us feel that we were important guests and all their training has come to fruition when we arrived
If you would like to have a relaxing holiday enjoying the climate reading your favourite book , indulged by amazing service , good food with a nice view, the Gateway Hotel is the...
Read moreWe stayed 3 nights at Gateway Coonoor in May'24. Overall it was a very good stay at an excellent location with great hospitality. The positives largely outweigh the improvement areas. ||NOTABLE POSITIVES: |1. Location, landscaping, lush green gardens|2. Service levels- special mention to Anandha, Britto, Chef Ramalingam (all F&B), Nagaraj- HK Manager (who also took us around the property to show and explain its various flora) and the Front Office staff, as well as Security who were very courteous|3. Food was amazing!|4. They have a complimentary foot soak with hot water, tea leaves and lemon brought to your room (on request) which feels refreshing after a long day of walking and in the evening cold. |5. Proximity to both Coonoor town and Upper Coonoor Bedford main street, whilst maintaining its seclusion|6. Special mention to Anthony, who was our driver and guide for both our transfers from and to the Airport, as well as local sightseeing to off the beaten path locations. Extremely polite, resourceful and of great help! A real asset. ||IMPROVEMENT AREAS:|1. The room walls were incredibly thin in the Superior Rooms category and we could hear noises/ creaky floors right behind, as well as conversations from other guests and the room also has a small window up top which is not closed, so the light from outside seeps in; not a good thing if you are a light sleeper. |2. The key system for room access is now through the IHCL Mobile Key app. While seen as a good initiative to cut down on plastic/ room cards, it had its flaws- we struggled to have the OTP sent to my number due to some backend issue, it took a long time to sort this out; and they needed to do the registration through one of their staff's CUG numbers before adding my M-PIN. It was a bit of a hassle at the start but thanks to the team for having this fixed. |3. The Recreation/ Games area needs better maintenance. Some of the fixtures like TT Table and other games had missing pieces/ faulty equipment. | |Overall, we cannot have any major complaints about our stay. Value for money? Perhaps just about or at slightly less value, considering the rates, but I suppose that's an issue for the reservations or revenue management and outside the control of the excellent resort staff who did everything they could to make...
Read moreAbsolutely Exceptional Stay – A Perfect Getaway!
From the moment we arrived, our experience at Gateway Coonoor was nothing short of outstanding. The staff greeted us with warm smiles and genuine hospitality, setting the tone for a truly memorable stay. Every detail of the hotel, from its elegant decor to the immaculate cleanliness, reflected a high standard of excellence.
The room was spacious, beautifully designed, and well-equipped with all the modern amenities one could ask for. Housekeeping maintained the room flawlessly throughout our stay. Best part is they offered us the Connecting rooms for two families.
What truly sets this hotel apart is its service. Every member of the team—from front desk to restaurant staff—went above and beyond to ensure we felt welcome and cared for. They were attentive, courteous, and always ready to help with a smile.
I could not remember all names of people who helped to make our stay better but worth mentioning some names - Sathish, Thressa, Britto, Kiran, Kamlesh, Nagraj.
A highlight of our trip was the sightseeing experience arranged by the hotel staff. Rather than the typical tourist spots, they introduced us to hidden gems and offbeat locations rich with history and local charm. The guides (Prakasham) were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, sharing stories, local insights, and cultural details that made each place come alive. It felt less like a tour and more like a local friend showing us around—full of personal touches and genuine warmth.
The on-site dining was another delight. The food was delicious, fresh, and beautifully presented. We especially loved the breakfast spread – a perfect start to each day.
The location of the hotel was ideal, with easy access to major attractions (SIMS Park walkable) while still offering a peaceful retreat from the city’s bustle.
Whether you're traveling for business, a romantic getaway, or a family vacation, I wholeheartedly recommend Gateway Coonoor. It’s rare to find a place that gets everything right, but this hotel certainly does. I can't...
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