Munnar Inn

htid

Now that our trip is back on we need a place to stay in Munnar. We're looking at the Munnar Inn and looking on Trip Adviser most of the reviews are good, but one is really bad and off putting. The thing is it's from 2005 and the newest reviews are only from October 2006, so I'm wondering if anyone has been more recently and can comment on how it is now.

Thanks for any info anybody can offer

Scandojazzbuff

If I remember correctly, the Munnar Inn is right in the middle of the town. While Munnar is a pleasant enough place, the surrounding area is magnificent. The hills are dotted with lovely places to stay but they may be more upscale than you want to pay. I stayed at the Windermere, $125 in peak season. You can bargain and should.

I think it's rare that you will see only good reviews for any hotel. Even the best have some not so good ones. People will always complain about something.

vandy

Hi there,Here's a few to consider.

Kaippallil Homestay - Overlooking town,5 min walk
Well Priced,Handy location.Approx 700rps for ground floor Double room,upstairs rooms(views)1000rps,Had meals in town,Morning coffee & Toast at
Homestay, they will do meals on Request.

Edassery Eastend - Have heard good reviews

High Range Club - Have heard very good review,
Recently a IM member stayed here at a cost of
1,900rps per night for outside cottage,He also
said Rooms in Main Building were Cheaper.Take note
they do have a Dress code for the Dining Room.
I was surprised at the price he Quoted as their website has very High prices.He was there just before Last Xmas(07)Send them an email & see.

Go to www.kerala.com and click onto Munnar Hotels

happy travels

BTW, Munnar Inn has very good Downstairs Restaraunt.

vandy

htid

Thanks both of you.

Scandojazzbuff, yeah I know there are ones further out and we do prefer them (they are not out of our budget), it's just that reading about they are all further out from Munnar (as you said) and since we can't drive, we don't want to be stuck somewhere with no way to get into the main town if we want to go to a restaurant or something. How far out is the Windemere from the town centre, because I read here on IM there's someone who rents out bicycles, so if it's not too far we could always ride.

rebeccam

I read recently (somewhere--can't recall) that there's now tear-down work in Munnar town. Old hotels and inns are being torn down for some governmental /permits reason. Next up is Kottayam. Anyone else heard, seen or read this?

Anyway, in case it's true, it might be worth phoning the hotels you're considering, to check if they are still there (-: or if they're next to a noisy wrecking ball site!

rebeccam

Isaacs Inn in the town of Munnar, is another possibility. Do a "google" search for some reveiws, which are positive. However, If i recall right, there are no reviews of it on Tripadvisor.

Scandojazzbuff

Windermere is about 7kms from town. Too far to walk and difficult to bike to as going there is uphill. There are tuk=tuk services and private car hires. I had a car and driver who accompanied us on most of our trip. More expensive but very worthwhile. You could arrange a car and driver from Cochin if you are coming from that direction. About 1700Rs per day. They will take you anywhere you please at any time. Lots of freedom doing this and you can cover more territory, easier.

Grantaustralia

I stayed at the High Range Club as Vandy described in Late September/Early October. The cost was 1900 + taxes.. as I said to Vandy the rooms are great .. I felt the food was expensive and not a patch on town. It is not more than a 15/20 min walk to "new Munnar" or a cheap auto ride up the hill. The club is a great place to stay. Photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantau...7602408021692/

Prices in the email from the club secretary were only slightly inflated ( a 100 or so Rs) from the quoted website prices. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others who want a quiet place to stay and room to roam.

The website for the club is http://www.highrangeclubmunnar.com/ it is different from the High range inn which is on the main road from old to new Munnar.

htid

We'll already have a car and driver from Cochin to Munnar, so I guess we could keep them to travel round Munnar? I just don't know how expensive that would be as he'd surely need somewhere to sleep so would we have to pay a hotel for him too?

pundabee

It is the driver's own responsibility to find somewhere to sleep. You need a driver, get a quote for the number of days you need the driver for, and that is it. Included in the quote will be his accommodation (usually calculated at around Rs. 150 per night). Most drivers sleep in their cars to increase the profit. In short, if you paid the driver any amount for a hotel, he would pocket it and still sleep in his car.

However, on route, or on other occasions where you are with the driver, it is common courtesy to invite him for lunch (if you are lunching) etc., but you should remember that you have already paid for the driver's provisions; it is part of the quote.

CliveG

I have stayed at Issacs Residency on two occasions. It is right on the edge of the town so you can walk into the centre. It is clean, the food is fine and the staff friendly. Off hand I think it is about Rs2500 per night B&B for two persons sharing but check out web site as recommended above. I would certainly recommend it.

Scandojazzbuff

Like Pundabee has said, the price for the driver is all inclusive. At Windermere, the hotel provides accomodations for the drivers.

Windermere is an exceptionally lovely place. The setting is spectacular and breakfast is included. It is a working tea and spice estate with magnificent views and excellent, but, expensive dinners (relatively speaking). We stayed in their least expensive room which was US$125. If you really wanted to splurge, they have wonderful cottages with unobstructed views. Very romantic and idyllic. It is on a different level than the High Range Club which looks like a very decent deal.

htid

Ok we're thinking maybe Windermere now then. The only reason not to chose it was the distance from the town, but since we'll only be there 2 days it doesn't matter anyway. I doubt we'll need to go into town as most of the attractions are out and about anyway.

My only problem would be that I read somewhere you need to pay a deposit which can only be paid by bank transfer, which costs money. Seems silly if you're able to actually pay by credit card!

It also doesn't say the prices on their site, but I'll just have to contact them for that.

*edit* also just to make sure, they do have Western style toilets, rather than just holes in the ground, right? Just something we'd prefer, so if someone could confirm

pundabee

I travel cheap (i.e. a preferred rate of around Rs. 500, which is cheap in Kerala), have stayed in numerous places in Kerala, and have yet to encounter an Asian toilet in a tourist accommodation. Don't worry.

Scandojazzbuff

I think they even supplied toilet paper!

Try emailing John at info@windermeremunnar.com