The South Bungalow is a private three-bedroom bungalow within The Dunnottar, a lakefront 19th-century Scottish heritage house on Kodaikanal Lake. It sits within the one-acre Dunnottar estate, defined by tall stands of eucalyptus and pine, with lawns, garden paths, patios, bonfire spaces, and the wood-fired pizza oven. From the house, guests can step out for walks around Kodaikanal Lake, visit nearby cafés or the boating area, and return to the quiet of the grounds.

The Dunnottar has been in the Puliyadi family since 1947 and has been carefully restored to preserve its original character while adding contemporary comfort. The South Bungalow is one of two self-contained wings within the larger house, with its own bedrooms, living and dining spaces, study, patio, garden terrace, and separate entrance.

The South Bungalow sleeps up to 8 guests across three ensuite bedrooms: The Rose Library, The Boiler Room, and The Old Study. The Rose Library takes its name from the shelves along one wall. The Boiler Room was once used to heat the Chamberlain bath water; photographs of the original boilers remain on the wall. The Old Study keeps the writing desk and window light that made it one.

Inside, the bungalow has an open loft-style living and dining room with views of the lake, eucalyptus, and pine. Outside, the South Patio and South Garden Terrace give the bungalow its outdoor rhythm, with a long wooden table, hammock, vines over the structure, bonfire spaces, and a wood-fired pizza oven set into the stone wall.

The South Bungalow interiors are private to your group. If the North Bungalow is also occupied, the outdoor grounds are shared. Guests who want the full property and grounds privately can book the Whole Bungalow.

The house has Wi-Fi, room heaters, updated bathrooms, and the practical comforts needed for a longer stay. Breakfast is included for every guest. Lunch, dinner, snacks, tiffin, grill, and wood-fired pizzas are available from the bungalow kitchen on request and charged separately.

The property is staffed, with the Bungalow Manager and team on site to help with meals, bonfires, the pizza oven, transfers, taxis, and practical questions during the stay. Parking is available on site.

As featured in Condé Nast Traveller India, Architectural Digest India, Vogue India, and Design Pataki.

Life In the South Bungalow

The South Bungalow has three ensuite bedrooms, each carrying its own history. The Rose Library takes its name from the shelves along one wall — books that have been here longer than we have. The Boiler Room was once used to heat the Chamberlain bath water; photographs of the original boilers remain on the wall. The Old Study keeps the writing desk and the light from the windows that made it one.

The loft-style living and dining room is the heart of the South Bungalow — an open space that brings everyone together, with views of the lake, the eucalyptus, and the pine. It is large enough for a family lunch and quiet enough for an evening with books.

The South Patio is where mornings often begin: forest views, tea in hand, no particular plan. Below the bungalow, the South Garden Terrace opens into one of the most lived-in parts of the property. Vines have climbed the structure over many seasons. A long wooden table seats the group. A hammock is strung between two posts. The wood-fired pizza oven is set into the stone wall at the back. In the evenings, this is where the South Bungalow gathers.


Bungalow at a Glance

- The Rose Library — sleeps 3, ensuite bathroom

- The Boiler Room — sleeps 2, original boiler history on the wall, ensuite bathroom

- The Old Study — sleeps 3, writing desk, ensuite bathroom

- South Living and Dining Room — open loft-style room with high ceilings and forest views

- South Study — work desk, books, board games

- South Patio — outdoor seating with garden views

- South Garden Terrace — vine-covered outdoor patio with a long wooden table, hammock, and wood-fired pizza oven set into the stone wall

About the neighbourhood

The Dunnottar sits on Lake Road, directly on Kodaikanal Lake and near Bryant Park. This is one of the most useful parts of staying here: guests can step out for a walk around the lake, walk to the boat area, cafés, bazaar, and lake market, and return to the house without needing a car for every outing.

Kodaikanal is a small hill town, and The Dunnottar is placed at the heart of it. Bryant Park, the boating area, lake market, cafés, bakeries, the bazaar, and the historic Kodaikanal Club are within easy walking distance, while Coaker’s Walk is a short walk or drive away. For guests who want to visit Pillar Rocks, Green Valley View, Guna Caves, Pine Forest, the Kodaikanal Golf Club, waterfalls, viewpoints, or other popular sites around Kodaikanal, taxis and local transport can be arranged. Many of these places are around 10 to 25 minutes away by car, depending on traffic, weather, and the time of day.

The advantage of the location is flexibility. Guests can stay close to the lake and walk out when they want, or plan short drives to the surrounding viewpoints and picnic spots. Most popular places around town are a short car or taxi ride away, depending on traffic and weather.

At the same time, the house feels set apart. The one-acre grounds, eucalyptus, pine, lawns, and garden paths give guests space to return to after being in town. It works well for families and groups who want access to Kodaikanal without depending on a car for every small plan.

Kodaikanal sits at about 2,100 metres in the Palani Hills, so mornings and evenings can be cold, especially outside summer. In the wet season, rain often arrives in the afternoon. We recommend carrying warm layers and planning outdoor sightseeing earlier in the day.

Madurai Airport is about 3 to 3.5 hours away, Coimbatore Airport about 4.5 to 5 hours, and Kodaikanal Road railway station about 1.5 hours; transfers can be arranged on request and charged separately.

Since 1947

The house has been in our family since 1947, when it was purchased by Puliyadi Kuppuswami Iyer from Lord Chamberlain, a Scotsman who left for the United Kingdom with two suitcases. Almost everything else stayed — the furniture, the paintings, the bookcases, the brass.

For four generations, the Puliyadi family has returned here to spend time slowly: walking through the grounds, eating together, sitting by the fire, and gathering under the trees. The one-acre grounds are part of the house’s rhythm — space to walk, read, picnic, play, or do very little at all. Mornings often begin outdoors, with breakfast in the garden. Afternoons move between the verandah, the lawn, and the lake. Evenings gather around the wood-fired pizza oven or the bonfire.

The Dunnottar has always been a house shaped by family, the lake, the trees, and time spent together. Opening it to guests is our way of letting that tradition continue.