https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Fernhills_PalaceFernhills Palace - Revision history2026-07-31T12:20:30ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Fernhills_Palace&diff=499054&oldid=prevWinifredMontero at 03:33, 6 March 20262026-03-06T03:33:26Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Palace and hotel in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India}}<br />
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[[File:The Fernhills Palace, Ooty.jpg|thumb|Fernhills Palace]]<br />
'''Fernhill Palace''' was the erstwhile summer residence of the [[Maharaja of Mysore]].<ref name="ootacamund">{{Cite web | url=http://www.ootacamund.com/Attractions.htm | website=www.ootacamund.com | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228191725/http://www.ootacamund.com/Attractions.htm | archive-date=2009-02-28 | title=Local Attractions}}</ref> The first Fernhills bungalow was built in 1851 as a private residence in the hill station [[Ooty]] in the Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. In the 1990s, Fernhill Palace became a heritage hotel<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernhills Palace Hotel, Ooty, South India - Corinthian Travel |url=https://www.corinthiantravel.co.uk/hotels/fernhills-palace-ooty-india}}</ref> and today it is considered a luxury resort, attracting visitors from around the world. The palace resembles a Swiss Chalet with its carved wooden bargeboards and ornamental cast iron. The palace grounds with its manicured gardens, firs and cedars accentuate the alpine look of the place. There is a church-like indoor badminton court on the grounds.<ref name="ootacamund"/><br />
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==History==<br />
The first Fernhills bungalow was built in 1851 by Capt. F. Cotton. It changed hands over some time till mid-1860 when it was temporarily named Moonesami and served as one of Ooty's earliest country clubs. During the time of the [[British Raj]], the English elite would flee the hot and muggy plains of the [[Madras Presidency]] and take sanctuary in the cool climes of Ooty, with its expanses of hills and terraced tea gardens. Its popularity never waned and has grown to include holidaymakers, honeymooners, film units and boarding schools.<ref name="FootprintSouthIndia"/><br />
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The palace was converted into a luxury hotel by [[Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 Dec 2013 |title=Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar: Obituaries Last scion of the royal family of Mysore who became an MP, fashion designer and hotelier |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10539453/Srikantadatta-Narasimharaja-Wadiyar-obituary.html |access-date=3 January 2026 |work=The Daily Telegraph |pages=29}}</ref> <br />
[[File:Maharaja's rest (13918437301).jpg|thumb|Dining room of the Fernhills Palace Hotel in Ooty]]<br />
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Today it is a heritage hotel run by the WelcomHeritage Hotels Group.<ref>[https://www.welcomheritagehotels.in/hotel-details/fernhills-palace-ooty/ Fernhills] WelcomHeritage Hotels website.</ref> The luxury resort includes the Curry & Rice restaurant serving Anglo-Indian cuisine, a library, wedding hall and lawn, and board room.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Heritage Hotel in Ooty {{!}} Luxury Stay for Family |url=https://www.welcomheritagehotels.in/hotel-details/fernhills-palace-ooty}}</ref><br />
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==Description==<br />
The Palace is spread out over {{convert|50|acre|m2}} of lawns, gardens, and dense woods. It is situated in the [[Nilgiri Hills]], fringed by cardamom and tea plantations and eucalyptus forests.<ref name="FootprintSouthIndia">Footprint South India By Annie Dare</ref> It has been described in the [[The New Indian Express|New Indian Express]] newspaper as having a 'British [[Colonialism|colonial]] vibe.'<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 Feb 2015 |title=A Royal Retreat |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fernhills Palace, Ooty}}<br />
[[Category:Palaces in Tamil Nadu]]<br />
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Ooty]]<br />
[[Category:Houses completed in 1844]]<br />
[[Category:Heritage hotels in India]]<br />
[[Category:Hotels in Tamil Nadu]]</div>WinifredMontero