This write up is basically meant for the first time visitors. We went in the month of May 2007. Temperature was 16 to 20 degrees in the night, pleasant weather, no need for sweaters, but old people and small children can keep one.
Travel:- From Bangalore we booked both to and fro journey through KPN Travels, (their offfice is opposite to the lake and next to BSNL Office in Kodai). The ticket costs Rs.480/- per head for one way. It was about 11-12 hours journey from Bangalore. While going the stopover hotels / places were clean and return it was not so I felt.
Stay:-We stayed at Hotel Mount View Resort( http://www.kodaimountview.com) as we had booked through holidaymakers.in.(After our visit we felt that we should not have), we went through them as no hotel booking was available). We checked in at 9.15 am on 20th and checked out at 9 am on 22nd. Though our package included 2 nights and 3 days, since the check out time was at 9a.m on 22nd(20th to 22nd), we felt that was not enough after going all the way.
Our experience in the hotel was ordinary. Service was poor-reviews at https://indiahotelreview.com. We did not open the window for fresh air as the scene in the backyard was pathetic. Inside the room was neat and tidy though small. If you travel by bus, get down at Zion School walk 2 minutes, to reach this resort. The place where Mount view is situated has a cluster of hotels, like Kodai international, Rivera, GPS hotels, Gurukrupa Telephone No.4113641046, 431643026, Royal Inn etc. of which Kodai International looks posh and prominent(but not as you see on internet) from outside. Mout view looked like one of their cottages as it is opposite to that. The remaining hotels looked like small standard hotels. If you stay in this area, you cannot enjoy any scenic beauty. It is 2 kms from lake and bazars.
The Telephone numbers of few hotels are(Hotel Kings Park - cell 9942526916, 04542240012, looks like they have neat rooms from outside, could see many foreigners outside. It seems to be standard size rooms – I did not see inside the rooms), It is about 1 km from lake, Golden Parks Inn 04542 246181-185(5 lines) is in the heart of city(did not see inside the hotel). Hotel Hill Top Tower(heart of city - you can book through their website, heard it is a good hotel). https://hotelsinkodai.com gives you a categorization of hotels.
The main aspect is that to take of your stay, before arrival, if you plan to visit in season. In front of every other second house, you will see boards that rooms are available for family. Most of the info are available on net. Once you can arrange the stay in Kodai, almost every taxiwala is a guide(I understand that for 5 hours trip they charge Rs.700 to 900 irrespective of no of people, it would be better to go through the hotel you stay – we met one I S Bala of Angel Cabs(Mostely Taxi). His mobile No. is9360554742, 9865003301, seems to be reliable) or if you like to go in groups, there are plenty of’travels’ who takes care of such needs. Attached to KPN travels itself there are plenty of privatewalas arranges such tours. Here is one eg. Rajas Tours and Travels Tel.242422/23, 244223.(Mount view Resort had arranged our tour through these people, they were good and had a good guide. First day they came and picked us up and went to different resorts to pick other couples and started by 10 a.m. It will cost you only Rs.150/- per head if you go individually). Second day tour we arranged with them directly as it was not in the package. They charged Rs.150 per head) You can also bargain. There is no auto available in Kodai. The standard minimum rate of taxi within 2 kms is Rs.60. and 3 kms is Rs.70 Most of them are polite and good. After booking the stay in any hotel, it would be better to arrange the sight seeing package through the hotel with cabs or taxis known to them separately after reaching the hotel; otherewise there are chances that you may get cheated by giving advance to unknown drivers and cabwalas.
The above said people need not be good or reliable always.
-If you go by taxi, you can choose the places you want to visit
-It would be better to use flat slippers / chappals if you plan to visit dolphin nose as climbing is required for 1 hr+
-Try to use mineral water as most of the hotel drinking water is said to be contaminated in Kodai)
97% of the hotels are vegetarian
Plastic carry bags are prohibited in Kodai, you may be fined if you carry one
Most of the hotels / houses does not have a/c, fridge or fan
Day 1: In the afternoon we went for boating and spent some time around the lake. Bicycles are available for rent for any age near the lake, also horse riding. After which we went to see the Bryant Park, where the flower show was going on. It was less than one fourth of the flowers and other items we see in Bangalore, Lalbagh during flower show, and such a lot of loud music was playing on one side…. food packets were selling another side… and people are eating and throwing the waste there itself… It was not a pleasant scene. We did not spent much time there.
Day 2: We have covered the following places - Coaker’s Walk – the most beautiful place I liked… here you can have beautiful views of the plains while walking. Pine Forest, Green Valley View or suicide point, Moier Point, Golf Course, Pillar Rocks, Shanthi (Valley View, Upper Lake View, Jain Temple(made of full marble), Kurinji Andavar Temple, Palani View, Chettiar Park.
For lunch we were taken to Hotel S V International on Convent Road. The hotel seems to be neat and tidy and has lodging facilities. The food(non veg) was not so tasty as we expected. So we were a bit disappointed. If you stay here you may have to manage with their food only as there is no other restaurants nearby I could see. Anyway their telephone nos. are 04542-243816, 244182. website is https://hotelsvinternational.com.
Day 3: We have covered Fairy Falls(not worth seeing in summer as there is no water to fall, it was almost dried, few drops of water were falling), Pambar Falls(no water to “Fall” moreover the place is kept unclean). From this place way to mountain beauty starts after which dolphins nose. You must go to these two places only if you have good health to climb the hills(it takes more than 1+ hour trekking). Old, unhealthy people are advised not climb these two places. After this we saw a 500 years old tree and La Saleth Church(more than 100 years old). We were dropped to the city at 2 p.m in the afternoon. https://kodaikanalonline.com gives you a bird’s eye view of kodai in a nutshell.
Shopping: Almost from every shop, you can buy homemade chocolates(100 gms) for Rs.25. In Annasalai, we could get 1 kg for Rs.145/- I could see Nepalis, who sells sweaters in OPH Road, Bangalore selling the sweaters and shawls in the same manner with lot of bargaining near the lake. Plums and carrots seems to be fresh and plenty for reasonable price.
We were told also understood from other’s review that there are some more interesting places to see. May be in our next trip we will make it.
Have a nice Holiday