Ooty, South India, India

A hotel since the 1840s, the Savoy used to be the epitome of “Snooty Ooty”. With its parquet floors, darkwood antique furniture and oak-panelled dining hall, the place remains brim-full of Raj-era charm.

The main bungalow looks essentially as it did 150 years ago, when the lawns outside would have been full of men wearing topees and talk in the bar revolved around hog hunts and tea prices. Staff light roaring log fires in the rooms at bed time, and the gardens look across the tree tops to the distant mountains.

Our opinion

A standard grade period hotel with a pretty garden, the Taj Savoy is amongst the best hotels in Ooty.