Sherlock — Hotel in Tamil Nadu

This was our second trip to Sherlock after a wonderful first trip just 4 months ago. We decided to take our pets along this time given that Sherlock claims to be pet-friendly, only to be shocked at the gross unfairness in the way we were treated. Let me explain.

Upon reaching after an 8-hour drive, hungry, we were not allowed into the restaurant because of our dogs. We were told that we would have to tie them outside the restaurant while we eat, or leave them alone in the room. No provisions were made for us to have our meals along with our pets even after multiple requests to the manager, who responded with, and I quote, "You can check-out if you wish but we cannot allow your pets into the restaurant." At best, they said they'll serve us in the room or in the garden where it's usually either too cold (causing the food to get cold) or too sunny (there's no shade) and uncomfortable for the dogs, or it's raining if you happen to visit during the monsoon. So bottomline - you are confined to your room which is just not nice.

The last time we were here, we loved spending time in the cozy lobby area with the fire burning in the fireplace. It was our evening ritual and we spent hours there every evening and really looked forward to it this time. This time we were not allowed to be in the lobby because we have pets.

Food for pets - we were told that they provide boiled chicken as pet food, where a single portion contains 400 gms of chicken. We ordered it every day but the portion kept getting smaller and smaller with only a few pieces of chicken, no more than 200 gms. When we were presented with the bill during check-out, every order for boiled chicken was billed as "Chef's Special Chicken Curry" worth Rs.310 - because apparently that is the only option they have in their system. We were too tired to argue further but to anyone reading this, please do not accept this.

We met some lovely people at the resort who we wanted to spend time with during meals and in the common lobby area but could not, because of Sherlock's pet restrictions.

Additionally, the approach road to Sherlock is horribly damaged and nothing has been done to repair it for over a year despite countless requests from guests. It ended up damaging our car this time and we are not happy.

The staff members seem remarkably inattentive - food orders were frequently mistaken and requests to fix lights and other things in the room had to be repeated several times before any action was taken. The room's maintenance seems to be the guest's responsibility since things get repaired only when a guest complains about it. One of the lamps wasn't working, the room was missing carpets, the cupboards were smelly, one of the towels had a hole in it, and there wasn't even a hook behind the bathroom door (all of this was later fixed upon requesting multiple times).

Overall, having experienced Sherlock twice, once without our pets and this time with them, we were appalled at the way we were treated - as second-class guests because we have pets. Pets or no pets, we are not going back to Sherlock ever again and urge people planning a vacation with their pets to reconsider, because Sherlock certainly isn't pet-friendly, it is 'pet-tolerant'.

Thank you for reading, and much love to...

Our recent stay at Sherlock Resort was nothing short of amazing. Located amidst the misty hills of Ooty, this charming property truly lives up to its name. With its colonial architecture and tranquil surroundings, it felt like stepping into a different era—one filled with mystery, elegance, and quiet charm.

From the moment we arrived, the experience was smooth and pleasant. The check-in process was quick, and the staff were warm, polite, and always willing to assist. As a group of friends looking for a mix of adventure and relaxation, Sherlock Resort turned out to be a perfect choice.

The rooms were beautifully themed, with touches that paid homage to the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. Wooden floors, antique-style furniture, and cozy fireplaces gave each room a unique character. Our rooms were spacious, well-maintained, and offered stunning views of the surrounding hills. Waking up to the cool breeze and birdsong was a refreshing change from our daily routine.

One of the highlights of the resort was its peaceful ambiance. Despite being a popular spot, it never felt crowded or noisy. We often sat in the garden or the common areas, sipping tea and soaking in the view. The fog rolling in over the hills created an almost cinematic atmosphere—it was the perfect backdrop for our group photos!

The food at the resort was another pleasant surprise. The in-house restaurant served a mix of Indian and continental dishes, and everything we tried was flavorful and fresh. Breakfast was especially good, with a variety of options to suit everyone's taste. The service staff were attentive and made sure we were always comfortable.

During our stay, we also explored nearby attractions like Doddabetta Peak, the Ooty Botanical Gardens, and the beautiful tea estates. The resort helped us arrange transportation, which made everything hassle-free. We even spent one evening playing board games near the fireplace, just enjoying each other's company. The resort had a cozy, homely vibe that made us feel completely at ease.

Another thing we appreciated was the cleanliness and upkeep of the property. Whether it was the rooms, dining area, or garden, everything was well maintained. Even the Wi-Fi worked well, which was useful for sharing our moments online.

In short, Sherlock Resort provided a wonderful base for our Ooty adventure. It was ideal for our group—a place where we could relax, laugh, explore, and make memories together. We would definitely recommend this resort to anyone traveling with friends or even as a couple or family. It’s rare to find a place that balances charm, comfort, and service so well.

We left with smiles, full hearts, and a ton of photos—and we’re already planning to return someday. If you're looking for a serene, storybook-like escape in Ooty, Sherlock Resort should definitely be on...

The overall rating factors in the price, and for me it felt overpriced compared to the value. If it was priced a little lower, I would have given it 4 stars. The entry is a little uphill from the location that was shown in the map. The approach road is a mud road with steep incline and sharp bends, and provides little challenge unless drivers are skilled. The garden was the first sight and was captivated by it. Due to the season, there was special Christmas decoration as well. The sitting hall was also very well decorated. Each section had some pictures or anedoces relating to Sherlock. The checkin process was smooth. The trouble started with rooms. When we booked, we got only one mountain view room, and the other we had to take a standard. There was quite some distance between the two and 2 flights of stairs. The standard room part of the main building and garden, while the Mountain view was across the garden on the other side of the road. The view of mountain view was great, but the standard room had a window that faced a little empty corner, and did not get muh natural light. So it was rather gloomy. Add to that the hot water in standard room was erratic. The mountain view room washroom has moisture retention issues, despine running exhaust for hours. Years of this has led to some mold buildup on some places. They had provided cookies for tea, and for Christmas gave us freshly baked inhouse cakes and chocolates. All of these were delicious and thoughtful gifts for the guests. The food was great, and one of our best part of our stay. Loved everything that we ordered (biriyani, inidan curry, thai curry, Schezwan noodles to name a few), and the all you can eat buffet breakfast. They have relatively less number of items than others, but each of the items were amazing (which I prefer than having a 100 item menu where everything is average at best). Another notable thing is that the resort is pet friendly. We saw atleast 4 pawed friends during our stay. So if you are travelling with a pet, they will likely have a great time here. On the flip side, if you are afraid of dogs or don't like pets (who am I to judge), you might not like the place. Overall, I felt it a falling a little short in the price to value ratio. Would love to see some improvement in rooms, proper approach road and/or a reduction in...