King's Cliff

Staff: The staff is kind and attentive and the manager is responsive. However, there is nothing they can do to solve these issues. It is an impossible job to satisfy lodging guests under the circumstances. The main business here is the restaurant which is a booming business with excellent food and service. They host events, weddings and are quite busy for lunch and dinner. The property is perfect for this purpose but it is not somewhere you want to spend the night, unless you are having your event here. Earls Secret which located in the lodge is charming for meals or parties, especially under candlelight with the fireplaces aglow. The rooms should only be rented to parties that are using the facilities for their own functions and not to unrelated travelers without prior warning. Littlearth has an ethical obligation to disclose this to all guests prior to confirming a booking.

Details: Space: The property is packed from lunch to 10pm with restaurant guests who have a run of the place but which encroaches on the house guests space and tranquility. Heat: There is no apparent heat except fireplaces, which cost 600 rupees and they have to light it for you. This price is for one lighting which heats up the room for a very short time. The fireplaces in the other areas are lit in the evening for the restaurant guests, who clearly take precedence over the house guests. Extras: There are no robes or slippers provided which makes for a cold an unpleasant experience considering the heating issues. Noise: Guest rooms are intermingled with the kitchen and dinning areas and the noise is constant. The chef screams orders at the top of his lungs from 7am to 10pm daily. This yelling combined with pots and pans banging around makes it impossible rest comfortably in the room or around the property until the restaurant closes. Food: Lunch and Diner are superb but dont expect much from the complimentary breakfast, which is limited and of low quality. Once again, this demonstrates that this place is not for the lodgers. Upkeep: Mold in the shower, corners of the room not been cleaned for a long time, toilet does not flush properly, warped door is difficult to lock, complimentary bath products were left half used from the previous guest, wooden floors are rotten in some areas and spongy underfoot, this will eventually be dangerous. The walls are very worn and dirty. Water & wifi: Hot water is given twice a day, there is almost no wifi. Security: Besides the door issue, no in-room safe is provided Drinking water: I have stayed at numerous properties in India and I have always been provided safe drinking water. That is not the case at Kings Cliff, they told me that if I wanted to drink the water I would need to boil it. Unfortunately, the kettle turns off after it hits boiling and 3 minutes are required to make water safe.

The food was excellent at breakfast and dinner was exceptional with Continetal, Indian and Asian dishes on offer.The Staff were also very pleasant and helpful. The location was superb with fine gardens, plants and flowers in the well tendered gardens The views over Ooty were spectacular from so High. The reason we chose this property from so many was the colonial charm - the hotel looked like it must have done in 1925 with old photos, prints and other memorabilia on show What history! The location was great, being away from the hustle and bustle of Ooty down below. Would definitely stay again.