Originally known as Udhgamandalam, Ooty got its present name during the British Raj when the officials, try as they might, couldn’t get the erstwhile name right. Till date, the quaint surroundings and the nature of the residents show that Ooty retains traces of its British past.

Ooty looks like it is meant to be the subject of a great painting – so beautiful is the town. Here, the sun rises and sets in all its glory, trees are covered in greenery, flowers bloom in their best hues and the fragrance of the forest merges with the inviting aroma of the local brews of tea and coffee. The town has become so popular among tourists that come peak season, it’s packed with travellers from all over the world.

Derby Green

Derby Green, Club Mahindra’s new resort in Ooty is a renovated 50-year-old colonial structure. The remodelling has retained the historical architecture details, bungalowstyle apartments with individual paved paths and mini gardens allowing guests to easily slip back into the past. Situated in the heart of the town, the resort looks out at the Ooty Race Course.

Tucked away from the cacophony that is now synonymous with this popular hill station, Derby Green will offer a multi-cuisine restaurant, holiday activities centre, conference venues and other facilities.

Sights and sounds

There’s a lot that Ooty offers to travellers. Ooty is known to be one of the terminal stations of the Nilgiri Mountain Railways. Designated a World Heritage Site by the UN, it is one of the most important attractions of this town.

Take an unhurried boat ride down the famous Ooty Lake; hire a boat from the Boat House or take a leisurely walk down the Wenlock Downs. Picnickers may want to settle down at Cairns Hill for a relaxing day out. While children can let their hair down at the Children’s Park, trekkers may want a trip up the Doddabetta peak. A nature lover’s trip to Ooty cannot be complete without a visit to the Glenmorgan viewpoint, the Thread Garden or the Kathatty Waterfalls.

Chocolate connoisseurs must not miss Modern Stores, which makes the best chocolates in town. Ooty is also famous for its delicate silver jewellery, Nilgiri teas and Toda embroidery.

With so much to explore and enjoy, Ooty is hardly a place to be ignored by anyone who loves to travel.