THE DUNNOTTAR BUNGALOW
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Dunnottar Bungalow is a private five-bedroom estate on Kodaikanal Lake, in the Puliyadi family since 1947, carefully restored. Five bedrooms, all ensuite. Home-cooked meals. If your question isn't answered below, message us on WhatsApp.
The Bungalow
What is The Dunnottar Bungalow?
The Dunnottar Bungalow is a 19th-century Scottish heritage bungalow on Kodaikanal Lake, Tamil Nadu — a private five-bedroom estate on one acre of eucalyptus, pine, lawns, and garden paths, on Lake Road near Bryant Park. It has been in the Puliyadi family since 1947 and was carefully restored by Shalini Biswajit. It has been featured in Condé Nast Traveller India, Architectural Digest India, and Vogue India.
Is The Dunnottar more like a hotel or a private villa?
The Dunnottar is a private family bungalow opened to guests. It gives you the privacy and space of a private house, with many of the comforts guests expect from a good hotel: breakfast included, daily housekeeping, laundry service, room service, concierge service, house staff on site, luggage help, and help from the Bungalow Manager and team.
How private is it if we book North or South?
North and South are private self-contained bungalows, each with its own bedrooms, living and dining spaces, and separate entrance. If the other bungalow is also occupied, the one-acre outdoor grounds may be shared, but only with that other bungalow group. There are no shared hotel corridors, lobbies, or restaurant spaces.
Is the bungalow exclusively ours?
Yes. Each booking at The Dunnottar is for one group only. If you book the Whole Bungalow, the full property is yours — no other guests on the estate. If you book North or South, that bungalow is private to your group; if the other bungalow is also occupied, the outdoor grounds are shared.
How many guests can stay?
The Whole Bungalow sleeps up to 15 guests across five bedrooms. The North Bungalow sleeps up to 7 guests across two bedrooms. The South Bungalow sleeps up to 8 guests across three bedrooms. All bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms.
Can we book just part of the bungalow?
Yes. The Dunnottar can be booked three ways: the Whole Bungalow, the North Bungalow (The Dunnottar Suite and the Master Bedroom, with the Sun Room and its own kitchen), or the South Bungalow (The Rose Library, The Boiler Room, and The Old Study, with its own kitchen and garden terrace). Each wing works as a complete home.
What is the history of the property?
The Dunnottar is a carefully restored 19th-century Scottish heritage bungalow on Kodaikanal Lake. In 1947, at Indian independence, it was purchased by Puliyadi Kuppuswami Iyer from Lord Chamberlain, a Scotsman who left for the United Kingdom with two suitcases. Much of what he left behind remains in the house today. The bungalow has been in the Puliyadi family since then — four generations.
Is the bungalow heated? Is there hot water?
Yes. Every bedroom at The Dunnottar has a room heater, and there is hot water throughout the house. Kodaikanal evenings are cold in every season. The fireplaces are lit with the caretaker's help.
Gatherings, Occasions & Retreats
Is The Dunnottar good for a family reunion?
Yes. The Dunnottar suits family reunions especially well — the whole five-bedroom bungalow is booked to one group, so three generations can stay together under one roof, with the one-acre garden and the lake private to you and every meal cooked in the bungalow kitchen.
Can a large group of 10 to 15 stay together?
Yes. Booked as the Whole Bungalow, The Dunnottar sleeps up to 15 across five ensuite bedrooms in two wings — a group of ten to fifteen can stay together, everyone under one roof, on Lake Road directly on Kodaikanal Lake near Bryant Park.
Is The Dunnottar a good base for a golf trip?
Yes. The Dunnottar is a short drive from the Kodaikanal Golf Club, established in 1895 — a comfortable base for a golf trip, with a round in the hills and a home-cooked meal back at the bungalow by the lake.
Can we celebrate a birthday or anniversary at The Dunnottar?
Yes. Many groups book the whole bungalow for a birthday, anniversary or milestone — the whole house and garden are private to your group, with a bonfire, the wood-fired pizza oven and home-cooked feasts from the bungalow kitchen. It is your own private celebration in the house, not an events service.
Can our family stay at The Dunnottar during a Kodaikanal wedding?
Yes. Many groups book the whole bungalow as the private base for the family during a Kodaikanal wedding — the couple's parents, grandparents and closest friends staying together in one house on the lake, minutes from the celebrations, with meals cooked through the stay. We host the stay and the quiet moments around the wedding — the welcome dinner, slow breakfasts, getting ready — not the ceremony itself, which we leave to the venue.
Can we use The Dunnottar for a corporate offsite or team retreat?
Yes. The whole bungalow makes a private base for a small team offsite — five ensuite bedrooms, quiet grounds by the lake, and a cook and caretaker on site so the group can focus, with meals taken care of. It is especially good off-season, when the house and Kodaikanal are at their quietest.
Is The Dunnottar suitable for a creative retreat — music, writing, art or food?
Yes. The Dunnottar suits creative retreats of many kinds — writing, art, music and food — with named studios like the Rose Library and the Old Study, a one-acre garden, the quiet of the lake, and photography by Harsha Biswajit throughout. We have hosted a chef-led food retreat, and the whole house works the same way for a group making music, writing or art together.
Booking, Payment & Cancellation
How does booking work?
The Dunnottar is booked on request. Choose your dates at thedunnottarkodai.in/book and send the booking through — nothing is charged until we confirm, usually within a day. Once confirmed, full payment secures your dates. You can also enquire directly on WhatsApp.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations made 30 days or more before arrival are refunded in full. Within 30 days of arrival, payment is non-refundable — but if your plans change, write to us: we will do our best to move your stay to new dates, subject to availability. We understand that things happen. Refunds are credited within 30 working days; payment gateway charges may be deducted.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in at The Dunnottar is from 2pm and check-out is by 10am. We try to accommodate early check-ins and late check-outs subject to availability, and you can drop your bags off if you arrive early. Check-ins before 8am and check-outs after 5pm carry a minimum half-day charge.
Food & Dining
Is breakfast included?
Yes. Breakfast at The Dunnottar is included for every guest, every day, cooked in the bungalow kitchen.
Can meals be served to our room or outside?
Yes. Meals from the bungalow kitchen can be served indoors, outside in the garden, or to your room, depending on the meal and the day’s arrangements.
Is room service available?
Yes. Room service is available for meals and tea or coffee, subject to the day’s arrangements. The Dunnottar is a private bungalow rather than a hotel, so the Bungalow Manager and team will coordinate this with you during the stay.
Is tea and coffee available through the day?
Yes. Tea, coffee, and pantry access are available through the day. The pantry has a Nespresso machine, French press, coffee filter, tea bags, kettle, microwave, refrigerator, crockery, cutlery, and basic serving items.
Can we arrange lunch, dinner, snacks, grill, or pizza?
Yes. Lunch, dinner, snacks, tiffin, grill, and wood-fired pizzas are available on request from the bungalow kitchen and charged separately. Ask for the current menu and rates.
What time is the kitchen open?
The bungalow kitchen is open from 8am to 9pm.
Can guests cook?
Guest cooking inside the bungalow is not permitted unless agreed in advance. The bungalow has a full kitchen staff to cook for you. Professional cooks brought by guests are not permitted unless approved in writing before arrival.
Do you provide food and accommodation for drivers and staff?
Yes. Home-cooked meals are served for drivers and accompanying staff from the bungalow's main kitchen, and there is a separate staff room with dormitory-style beds for them to stay in.
Service, Housekeeping And Staff
Is daily housekeeping included?
Yes. Daily housekeeping is included. Rooms are serviced by the house team under the direction of the Bungalow Manager.
Is laundry available?
Yes. Laundry service is available on request and charged separately. Dry cleaning can also be arranged on request and is outsourced.
Is there staff on site during the stay?
Yes. The Bungalow Manager and house team are on site to help with meals, housekeeping, laundry, luggage, taxis, transfers, bonfires, the pizza oven, local arrangements, and practical questions.
Do you provide concierge help?
Yes. The Bungalow Manager and team can help with local arrangements, taxis, transfers, bonfire setup, pizza oven setup, forest walks, hiking, and practical questions. The service is personal and house-based, rather than a hotel front desk.
Do you help with luggage?
Yes. The team can help with luggage on arrival and departure.
Is there an arrival walkthrough?
Yes. On arrival, the Bungalow Manager or team will walk you through the bungalow, rooms, dining arrangements, pantry, outdoor spaces, and anything else you need to settle in.
The Grounds
Is the lake accessible from the property?
Yes. The Dunnottar sits directly on Kodaikanal Lake, and the garden leads to the lake.
Are the one-acre grounds private?
If you book the Whole Bungalow, the full house and grounds are private to your group, with no other guests on the property. If North and South are booked separately, the outdoor grounds may be shared, but only between the two bungalow groups.
Do we need to go out every day, or is there enough to do at the property?
Many guests spend much of their time at the property itself. The one-acre grounds include lawns, garden paths, patios, hammocks, bonfire spaces, quiet corners, bicycles, and the wood-fired pizza oven. The house has living rooms, dining spaces, books, board games, and places to sit indoors and outside.
Who sets up the bonfire and pizza oven?
The house team sets up bonfires and the wood-fired pizza oven on request. If both North and South are occupied, timing is coordinated between the two bungalow groups.
Can we use the wood-fired pizza oven?
Yes. The wood-fired pizza oven is on the South Garden Terrace, used with the caretaker's assistance. If the Whole Bungalow is booked, it is available to your group; if North and South are both occupied, timing is coordinated between the two groups.
Can we have a bonfire?
Yes. Bonfires are possible in designated areas and are set up by the caretaker. Please request this in advance.
Is there parking?
Yes. The Dunnottar has open-air parking for up to five cars when the Whole Bungalow is booked. Parking may be shared when North and South are booked separately.
Practical
Is Wi-Fi available throughout the house?
Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the bungalow.
Are fresh towels and linen provided?
Yes. Towels and linen are provided. Towels and linen are changed according to the house’s environmental policy, and fresh towels or linen can be arranged sooner on request.
Are children welcome?
Yes. The Dunnottar suits family stays. The grounds are large and suitable for children with adult supervision.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are not allowed.
How do we get to The Dunnottar?
The Dunnottar is on Lake Road, near Bryant Park, Kodaikanal 624101, Tamil Nadu. Madurai International Airport is approximately 115 km away, around 3 to 3.5 hours by road. Coimbatore Airport is approximately 165 km away, around 4.5 to 5 hours. Kodaikanal Road railway station is approximately 80 km away, around 1.5 hours. Transfers can be arranged on request and are charged separately. See How to Get Here.
When is the best time to visit Kodaikanal?
Kodaikanal holds up in every season. April to June is the classic summer season — the reason the town exists. The months around it are quieter, and the property is at its best with fewer people in town. The afternoon rain, when it comes, starts at three and hits the galvanized iron rooftops in a way you will remember.
How should we pack?
Keep a light jacket handy through the day and warm clothes for the evenings — Kodaikanal turns cold when the sun drops, whatever the month. Walking shoes for the forest and the lake path.
What can we do in Kodaikanal?
Kodaikanal Lake is at the door — walking, cycling, boating. Bryant Park is next door. Coaker's Walk, Pillar Rocks, and the forest trails are a short drive. Most guests do nothing for the first two days. See our Kodaikanal page.
Are the rooms warm enough in winter or monsoon weather?
Yes. Bedrooms have electric room heaters, electric blankets, and hot water bottles on request. Kodaikanal evenings can be cold in every season, so guests should still carry warm clothing.
Can drivers or accompanying staff stay on the property?
Yes, subject to availability. There is a staff room with dormitory-style beds for drivers and accompanying staff, charged separately. Home-cooked meals for them can also be arranged from the bungalow kitchen.
Are taxis and transfers available?
Yes. The Bungalow Manager and team can help coordinate taxis, local transport, and airport or railway station transfers. Transfers and taxis are charged separately.