SINCE 1947
THE DUNNOTTAR BUNGALOW
A private five-bedroom estate on Kodaikanal Lake. Carefully restored. Entirely yours.
PRESS
AS FEATURED IN CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER, AD & VOGUE INDIA
This 19th-century bungalow in Kodaikanal has all the makings of a classic summer holiday.
At the Dunnottar Bungalow in Kodaikanal, Scottish and South Indian influences blend seamlessly.
This stately bungalow located on the banks of the Kodai Lake once belonged to Lord Chamberlain in the pre-1947 era. Now, carefully restored by the Puliyadi family, this property exudes charm in spades.
Escape Into An Idyllic Retreat At The Dunnottar Bungalow In Kodaikanal
The Dunnottar: An Exquisite Boutique Bungalow by the Kodaikanal Lake
THE BUNGALOWS
THREE WAYS TO STAY
The Dunnottar Bungalow is divided into two self-contained wings, North and South, each with its own bedrooms, living and dining spaces, and separate entrance. Guests can book the Whole Bungalow, with the full five-bedroom property and grounds private to one group, or book the North Bungalow and South Bungalow separately.
WHY STAY WITH US?
The whole property, entirely yours
One acre on Kodaikanal Lake
Five ensuite bedrooms
Home-cooked meals with breakfast included
Staff throughout your stay
Carefully restored family home since 1947
PLAN YOUR STAY
CHECK AVAILABILITY
All bookings are confirmed on request, so we can make sure the right arrangement is in place for your stay. Visit our Booking page for more details.
THE ESTATE
ONE ACRE BY THE LAKE
The estate opens into lawns, garden paths, patios, garden terraces, hammocks, bicycles, bonfire spaces, and a wood-fired pizza oven, with Kodaikanal Lake just outside the property. From the house, guests can walk around Kodaikanal Lake, visit nearby cafés, stores, parks, Kodaikanal Club, the boating area, and the market, then return to the quiet of the grounds.
THE DUNNOTTAR WAY
A FAMILY HOME, OPENED TO GUESTS
The Dunnottar came into our family in 1947, when Lord Chamberlain sold the house to our grandfather, Puliyadi Kuppuswami Iyer, a businessman and philanthropist from Madurai. As the story goes, Lord Chamberlain and his wife left for the United Kingdom with just two suitcases, leaving behind much of the furniture and many of the objects that still remain in the house today.
Since then, The Dunnottar has been shaped by four generations of the Puliyadi family and by the lake, trees, rooms, food, and household rhythms that define it. Its DNA is rooted in family, memory, restoration, comfort, and continuity: preserving the original character of a 19th-century Scottish bungalow while giving it a renewed life as a private estate on Kodaikanal Lake.
FOOD & STAFF
HOME COOKED MEALS, STAFF ON SITE
Every stay includes breakfast from the bungalow kitchen. Lunch, dinner, snacks, tiffin, grill, and wood-fired pizzas can be arranged on request, with food cooked in the spirit of a home kitchen: fresh, generous, and made with care. The Bungalow Manager and team are on site to help with meals, bonfires, the pizza oven, transfers, taxis, and the practical details of the stay, so guests can settle in and spend time together.
GUEST NOTES
THE MEMORY BOOK
Vidya Gajapathi Raju Singh
The location of Dunnottar was so great as the lake was at our door step
Sri Garapati and Jyotsna Garapati
We enjoyed the activities… hiking, cycling, walking around the lake or just lying on the hammock and reading a book… you let us unwind and chill at our own pace
Hanan Nasir and Dhruv
The menu at Dunnattor is scrumptious but nothing beats the amazing snacks
Abhimanyu and Nivedha
So much attention to detail in every object around that may be used by the guests
Read More
JOURNAL
LETTERS FROM THE BUNGALOW
Notes on the house, food, gardens, seasons, local guides, and life in the hills.
