SINCE 1947
THE DUNNOTTAR BUNGALOW
A boutique five-bedroom heritage villa and private estate on Lake Road by 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
YOUR OWN BUNGALOW, WITH FOOD, STAFF, AND CARE IN PLACE
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Book the Whole Bungalow for the full five-bedroom house and grounds, or North and South as private self-contained bungalows with their own bedrooms, living and dining spaces, separate entrances, and access to the one-acre grounds.
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Lawns, garden paths, patios, hammocks, bonfire spaces, quiet corners, and the wood-fired pizza oven give guests room to spend the day at the property, not just sleep here.
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The Bungalow Manager and team are on site to help with arrival walkthroughs, taxis, transfers, bonfire setup, pizza oven setup, local arrangements, concierge help, and practical questions during the stay.
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The house is looked after through the day, with daily housekeeping, laundry service, fresh towels, luggage help, and house staff on site.
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Breakfast is included; lunch, dinner, tiffin, grill, and wood-fired pizzas are available on request.
Tea, coffee, and pantry access are available through the day, and meals can be served indoors, outside, or to your room.
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Ensuite bedrooms, electric room heaters, hot water, Wi-Fi, and the practical comforts needed for a longer stay in Kodaikanal.
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Kodaikanal Lake is just outside the front gate, with Bryant Park, cafés, boating, golf, forest walks, viewpoints, and hiking trails close by.
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A carefully restored 19th-century Scottish bungalow, in the Puliyadi family 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
Our chef and the bungalow team are on site through your stay; breakfast is included, and every meal — tiffin, lunch, dinner, grill, wood-fired pizza — is made to order in the bungalow kitchen, with food cooked in the spirit of a home kitchen: fresh, generous, and made with care.
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.
