Coorg guide: 10 eco-friendly stays to book

Wake up and smell coffee at these eco-conscious Coorg stays

09 Sep 2025

A rare all-rounder destination, which is equally enticing all year, Coorg wears the crown of the coffee capital of India and takes this responsibility seriously! A pastoral paradise termed as the Scotland of India. Yet, this limited sobriquet robs Kodagu of its earned individuality, characterised by fertile foliage, emerald estates and thick forests teeming with wildlife. In fact, even the posh properties here advocate for the upkeep of their indigenous biodiversity, with suites on stilts and cafes amid treetops. Here, nature is sought and not treated as an afterthought.

The result? A front row seat to the amusing antics of the engulfing environs, where comfort does not come at the opportunity cost of the environment. Here are 10 eco-friendly stays in Coorg that offer solace from the daily grind. Sip back, relax and prepare to be amazed!

Evolve Back Resort by Earthitects

Nature reigns supreme at this exquisite abode, which remains concealed, like any good secret, within Coorg’s coffee-scented hills. Helmed by Earthitects, it houses Kodagu-style villas, cottages and duplex suites, with each one emanating an essence of raw grandeur. Here, simply follow the meandering stone pathways and lily ponds to bask in the glory of barefoot luxury, seen above in the thatched roofs and below with durable red oxide flooring, ideal for foggy Coorgi winters. Dining turns decadent amid treetops at the candlelit “Machan”, while the aroma of Arabica beckons at the Sidapur Coffee Museum adorned with rope-hoisted shelving and sustainable eucalyptus pole lighting. Evidently, Evolve Back is nature-forward, allowing the contours of the lush landscape to lead the way. Pure alchemy.

The Tamara Resort by Iyer & Mahesh

Picture this: it’s daybreak, and the gentle rustle of leaves wakes you up, beckoning you to the balcony of your alpine-style villa, where clouds descend on Earth to kiss the treetops surrounding you. You’re 3500 feet above sea level, at the 5-star Tamara, designed by N. Mahesh of Iyer & Mahesh, where mornings begin with birdsong and the gentle patter of precipitation. Here, guests are spoiled for conscious choice and may indulge in recreational reverie with fresh brews at the heritage Verandah, or introspect at the on-site Yoga Temple. Built with traditional Mangalorean clay roof tiles and laterite stone, this site is a sight to behold, especially when lit with oil diyas at night. We highly recommend signing up for a forest bathing session to beat any work-triggered ennui or indulge in a coconut sugar body scrub at the Elevation Spa for a shortcut to serenity. Ironically, here you’ve got to unplug to (re)charge your soul. Are you in?

Club Mahindra Madikeri Resort by IMK Architects

During my stay here, the playful peck of the elusive Malabar grey hornbill on my window awoke me one morning. Such is the welcoming embrace of Club Mahindra Madikeri, nestled in the midst of a misty coffee estate. India’s first triple net resort left no stone or plantations upturned during its construction, under IMK Architects’ watchful eye. Each Ainmane-style suite houses kayyales overlooking silver oak trees where zipliners make frequent cameos. This microcosm of Coorg features spice plantations, avocado trees and arabica saplings lining its intertwining pathways, while the cricket choir punctually regales evening walkers. Don’t miss a foot massage at the al fresco Svaastha spa, perched picturesquely along the precipice of Cardamom Valley. Pass the main reception — which boasts a central courtyard and a tranquil rainwater-fed base pool — to reach Green Cardamom for a hearty ishtew, where a blue whistling thrush might just join you for company. Are you ready to let nature nurture your soul?

The Ibnii by Abdul Hameed, Abdul Hameed Architects; Photograph courtesy The Ibnii

The Ibnii by Abdul Hameed Architects

Guided by the principles of inclusion rather than intrusion of nature, The Ibnii sprawls across 120 acres of a former pristine wooded coffee estate. Conceptualised by architect Abdul Hameed, nature takes the reins here, with a large lake serving as the entrance, leading to the concealed resort inside, where only electric buggies are allowed. Take a seat beside nature in the cottages and suites, designed to disappear into the topography, where every tree preserved peeks through the roof garden! Alternatively, plunge into paradise at the four-level swimming pool with cascading water, or unwind at the canopy-laden coffee shop for a customised brew. In a landmark feat, the property was awarded a Platinum rating by the Indian Green Building Council, a first for an Indian resort. In fact, guests must bear the costs of ecological negligence as leftovers are weighed after meals and diners are charged accordingly. Mother Nature would be proud!

School Estate

If you’ve ever spontaneously thought of starting afresh in the countryside, then this opulent 150-year-old bungalow is for you. Straight off your dreamy Pinterest board, it interludes between a home and a hotel within a sustainable 200-acre coffee estate. An erstwhile home of German missionary Reverend Richter, former administrator of Coorg’s schools, it is currently run by Rani and KK Aiyapa. Inside, two private cottages and a sprawling heritage room await, where each iota is a 19th-century vignette, including fine China, Victorian hand-embroidered cross-stitch linen, hat racks, a grand escritoire, and low wood-panelled ceilings. Mornings begin with brews by the manicured English garden while birdwatching for Long-Tailed Drongos, or fishing for the mahseer at Cauvery. Don’t miss the full English breakfast under a bottle brush tree and akki roti at the century-old pool table. Watch out for the ancient iron school bell (that rings to announce meal time) as environmental empathy culminates in a true home-away-from-home experience here!

SaffronStays Calamondinn Bungalow (holiday rental villa by SaffronStays) by Irishman Charles Waring and his English wife Alice (née Cockerton); Photograph courtesy SaffronStays

SaffronStays Calamondinn Bungalow by Charles Waring and Alice (née Cockerton)

This 130-year-old colonial estate appears frozen in time with its vintage semblance that whispers nostalgia, in a befitting ode to Kodagu’s bygone colonial era. Minutes away from the Mathigodu Elephant Camp, Calamondinn Bungalow is a 5-bedroom rental heritage property by SaffronStays, constructed in the early 1890s by Irishman Charles Waring and his English wife Alice (née Cockerton). The current owners, who acquired it directly from the descendants of Charles and Alice, have painstakingly restored it, with the promise of preserved architectural finesse. Here, experience a day in the life of a Coorgi with ceramic art, beekeeping, coffee trails or vicarious adventures in the well-stocked library. A yesteryear treasure trove, it features Victorian rococo & Lutyen furnishings, including ornate wooden framed mirrors, massive chandeliers, a gramophone, and a grandfather’s clock. Here, each corner and cranny teleports onlookers to colonial Coorg. Historic, indeed.

Timbertales Resort by Abdul Manan, AM Designs

This new niche luxury resort vouches for solitude amid serenity with eight exclusive villas that effortlessly mimic the region’s rusticity with their earthen architecture. Helmed by Abdul Manan of AM Designs, Timbertales is, quite literally, that 100-acre wood we grew up watching and loving. Nurturing evergreen coffee plantations, the resort’s facade is a seamless extension of the encircling flora and fauna as it cleverly metamorphoses into a green corridor. The villas and woodlands merge into a scenic sanctuary with attached private terraces adjacent to towering trees. Here, dewy mornings are best enjoyed with a fresh cuppa for instant refreshment. Slow living turns habitual, be it at the Bamboo Buzz restaurant that assumes the shape of a honeybee, or the tri-level Viyoma Wellness centre that boasts a Turkish Hammam. Don’t miss Cove The Lobby, modelled on Kodagu’s pepper leaf, featuring a black granite water body and an optical illusion of a floating leaf. Spanning across the lobby, it’s among India’s largest standalone bamboo constructions. A living legacy in its best form!

Taj Madikeri Resort by Pramod Ranjan

A forest for rejuvenation — that’s Taj Madikeri for you. Designed by Pramod Ranjan with the heavenly landscape playing close assistant, it stands tall and proud across 180 acres of a thriving rainforest, of which only 30 acres are developed. Inside, the comely rooms exude a Kodagu-meets-hygge vibe with crackling fireplaces, hardwood floors, open skylights and gentle sloping roofs. Gourmands will love Nellaki’s authentic thali, a delicious extension of the spice trails surrounding the eatery. Here, simply surrender to the sensory entrapment as whispering streams, wild falcons, and whistling winds drown any internal noise. Next, immerse yourself in the amusing anecdotes of Coorg’s cultural legacy with a Taj Conservatory tour, led by a retired colonel, followed by a wood-fired Gudda Bath at the wellness circle. End the day with a poolside barbeque and bonfire under the stars, where grilled yam patties, dessert degustations, and more await you! Quiet luxury has never looked this good.

LuxUnlock: Earthsong & Birthsong Villas by Inesh Shah; Photograph courtesy LuxUnlock

LuxUnlock: Villas by Inesh Shah

Portals to peace, these serene poolside villas of Earthsong and Birdsong remain embedded within a 500-acre coffee estate. Crafted by Inesh Shah, their design-forward architecture reverberates across the land in poetic echoes honouring Kodagu culture. The space camouflages into the sloping contours of the thriving plantation with expansive glass façades and open layouts, minimising environmental impact and maximising natural light and ventilation. Prepare for a grand welcome at the lounge designed as a four-leaf clover, which ascends towards Birdsong’s elevated lawns. Meanwhile, Earthsong opens onto a sprawling deck complete with a lap pool, a small hot pool and a widescreen movie projector. With the quiet promise of privacy, these villas aren’t just built to look good—they’re built to do good. For instance, coffee pulp is composted into organic fertiliser, while water conservation measures and 100% power backup systems harness mindful living. Pro tip: explore the estate on eco-ATVs for a wild good time!

Coorg Wild Walk CGH Earth Saha by Inspiration Collective

Follow the call of the wild, and it’ll lead you to this retreat, where nature is at her untamed best. Spread across Kodagu and Mysuru, this sanctuary is minutes away from Nagarhole National Park, a renowned Tiger Reserve. Running the ecological gamut, it houses dense forests, the calm Kabini, avians and, of course, the carnivore clan. Designed by Inspiration Collective, it boasts a four-bedroom villa tucked within a coffee plantation. Anchored by an ethos of immersive, sustainable living rooted in place, the bi-level accommodation stands as an upscale, plush villa. Encircled by 360-degree immersive vistas of the canopy, here, the indoors and outdoors coalesce into an ethereal atmosphere. Culinarily speaking, the local cuisine shines with specials, including Kadambuttu (soft rice dumplings with curry) on offer. Look out for glimpses of gaur, wild dogs, leopards, elephants, and countless herbivores, apart from the majestic striped beast, the tiger! Don’t be surprised if you wake up to the whine of cicadas, the chatter of monkeys, the rustling of trees, or the occasional roar of a wild cat. Welcome to the jungle!