As I headed up the winding road towards King’s Cliff, the clouds kept up a steady drizzle. Below, Ooty town smothered in the green hues of monsoon looked better than it did up close. Located away from the clutter and chaos of Ooty, King’s Cliff is a charming hotel redolent with the promise of silence. Once a British ancestral home, this heritage property is now a boutique hotel with a Shakespearean theme.

The first thing that captured my imagination as I entered the property was the long driveway flanked with manicured green lawns and flowering bushes on either side. I found myself half-wishing, half-imagining that I was on a horse carriage as my vehicle strolled down the driveway to the pretty white building. Scattered around the garden were wrought iron chairs and tables; an ideal spot to sip your tea as you took in the pretty fuchsia flowers that hung heavy with rain-drops all around the building.

Unlike grandiose hotels with an evident spectacle of opulence, King’s Cliff is cosy and even a little musty. Built as a home, it retains its original character and sits pompously amidst the surrounding greenery. The entrance has been converted into a foyer with a reception area. Walking inside, you first come across the hall and lounge area. Hanging on the wood-panelled walls are pictures of its erstwhile residents as well other aging paintings. Huge couches and sofas (and, quite oddly, a bean bag) are placed around the room and the fireplaces hint at the many cackling conversations that must have taken place around the fire. Walking around you can sense the many stories that this old building must have been part of.

But the nine rooms are the real appeal of this hotel. They all been whimsically named after Shakespearean characters or plays such as Macbeth, Tempest and Othello. From elegant simple rooms to ones with large canopied beds and inviting bathtubs, these rooms are meant for those looking for luxurious old-world pampering with the comforts of modern-day satellite television and mobile connectivity. Plus the functional fireplaces in each of these nine rooms make them an apt setting for those looking to inflame their romantic passions while on vacation.

While travellers will find their bliss in the rooms, people passing through town visit King’s Cliff to dine at its restaurant, Earl’s Kitchen, which is said to be among the best in Ooty. The continental fare whipped up by the chefs transports you to the cloud of culinary satisfaction, invariably making you close your eyes and sigh. Located in one corner of the building, the restaurant also allows you the experience of eating in the outdoor sitting area. There, in the bright little nook with cherubs and other little statues for company, you can sample the delicious a-la-carte fare.

Undisturbed by external sounds, in the company of clouds, birds and flowers, King’s-Cliff is all about indulgence. Many an hour can be spent reading, chatting, painting or just gazing at the scenery around. If British aristocratic ambience is your thing, then it is reason enough to visit King’s Cliff. Its décor, food, and courteous staff make it an ideal get-away. Go there and be transported back to the days of yore when Fords, Austins and Wolseleys still roamed the streets of Ooty.