The Tamara Kodaikanal: Luxury Resort Review & Stay Guide

Once the lockdown in Tamil Nadu was lifted, I started looking for safe places to travel. The Tamara stood out because it is a suite-only property, which felt like a lower-risk option for a getaway.

When ePass rules for hill station visits were relaxed, I applied and booked a stay the same day for the very next day — which also happened to be my birthday.

Below is a detailed review of my stay at The Tamara, Kodaikanal in early September 2020.

The Property

The name Tamara is derived from the Tamil word “Thamarai,” meaning lotus. Tamara Kodaikanal is well connected to nearby cities; Madurai is the closest airport, and the hotel is about five minutes from the Kodaikanal lake.

The property comprises around 53 suites organized into 13 clusters across 7.8 acres, developed by extending the heritage spot La Providence, which translates to “under the guidance of God.” The project was a significant investment and emphasizes eco-conscious practices.

Sustainability features include a large rainwater conservation tank used to irrigate gardens throughout the year. Tamara properties, including this one and the Coorg resort, are run by Shruti, daughter of SD Shibulal, co-founder and former CEO of Infosys.

Booking

• Rate: Approximately Rs.12,000 + GST per night for a Superior Luxury Suite (weekday)
• Inclusions: Breakfast, welcome amenity, daily high tea at 4 PM, and complimentary archery (20 shots)

We stayed two nights and used an American Express domestic travel voucher to cover a significant portion of the cost. American Express often offers discounts on select packages, and occasionally third-party platforms list discounted rates.

After confirming the booking you receive several calls: from the sales team to confirm details, from the property to reconfirm requests, and even from the chef a few hours before check-in to coordinate the meal on arrival.

The Suite

Each suite includes a living room, a bedroom with a small balcony, and a bathroom. The design follows a French colonial aesthetic. While that style isn’t my personal favorite and doesn’t always photograph well, the suites are comfortable and well-maintained.

Welcome Amenity

Shortly after arrival we received a welcome tray with chocolates, cake, cookies, and fruit.

As part of the Superior Luxury Suite benefits, we also received a birthday cake, which was a pleasant touch and added to the celebration.

The Food

The team behind the property has strong restaurant experience, so expect higher-quality food than typical hill-station fare in the region.

Lunch: The Tawa Fish we had was outstanding—one of the best I’ve tasted in recent years.

Breakfast: Buffet service was temporarily suspended, but the a la carte menu offers a wide selection and everything we tried was well prepared.

High Tea: Our plan included high tea between 4 PM and 6 PM. We ordered sandwiches, chilli bajji (molaga bajji), and pizza — all were tasty. Molaga bajji with tea is a classic hill-station combo we enjoyed.

Activities

The property offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, though some were limited due to Covid-19 restrictions. We tried archery and trekking, both of which were excellent.

Trekking was a highlight. The trails provide fresh air and scenic views that are refreshing for both lungs and eyes. We chose the beginner-level Rainbow Trek, a roughly 3 km walk through forest adjacent to the property that takes about two hours and delivers beautiful vistas.

Archery was equally enjoyable. The complimentary package includes 20 shots; I paid for an additional set because I enjoyed it so much. The sport is satisfying, though holding the bowstring can be physically straining at times.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi worked reasonably well with speeds around 3 Mbps but occasional drops occurred. Mobile connectivity varies: Airtel signal is weak and voice calls may fail unless you switch the preferred network to 3G, where things are more reliable yet still slow. BSNL service tends to be better in the area, and is a useful backup.

Service

Service throughout our stay felt attentive and personalized. With fewer guests at that time, staff could focus on detailed care across room service, dining, and activities. Many staff members mentioned they receive strong support from management, which reflects in service quality. Overall, service standards are comparable to high-end brands.

Shopping

We stayed on property since many local attractions were closed, but the on-site boutique offered some worthwhile items:

1. Cookies – very tasty and reasonably priced
2. Handmade chocolates – good quality but on the expensive side
3. Honey – disappointing; I would not recommend it

Covid-19 Safety Protocol

We were among the first guests after reopening and the property followed strict safety protocols. Staff consistently wore masks, and many wore face shields in dining areas. Entry procedures were strict: the gate security required guests to have the Aarogya Setu app installed before admitting our vehicle, which delayed entry due to patchy mobile coverage.

Staff enforced mask usage at all times, which is necessary but can be uncomfortable for guests who wear glasses due to fogging. Rooms were quarantined for 48 hours before being reassigned, and all shared equipment — from archery gear to pens used at check-in — was thoroughly sanitized. Vehicles also received a quick sanitization. These measures aligned with typical five-star hotel practices.

Final Verdict

• Cardexpert Rating: 4.8/5

Overall, The Tamara is a wonderful option in Kodaikanal. Our experience felt almost presidential, partly because the property had few guests at the time. The Tamara fills the gap left by the absence of major luxury brands in the area and competes strongly on service and experience. I plan to visit Tamara Coorg in the future, as it looks like a standout property as well.

If you have visited Tamara Kodaikanal or Tamara Coorg, feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.