Discover the majestic Tea County Munnar. If you are on the lookout for the best resorts in Munnar, KTDC Tea County should definitely be on your list. With classy and clean accommodation and the perk of its location in the heart of Munnar town, Tea County will make you feel at home with its exceptional hospitality.
- Type: Premium Hill Resort
- Great for: Couples, Solo/Group female travelers, Family
- Best time to visit: December – January
- Would I revisit: YES
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4 out of 5.
Table of Contents
- TEA COUNTY MUNNAR & US
- AS YOU ENTER
- THE SPACE
- THE ROOM
- FOOD & DRINKS
- LITTLE THINGS MATTERED
- THE PEOPLE
- FIT FOR WHOM?
- CRITIC’S NOTE
- BOOK NOW
- THE AUTHOR
TEA COUNTY MUNNAR & US
An impulsive detour on our honeymoon road trip in 2022 and a gentle question of the staff, “Shall I show you the rooms if you don’t mind?”, helped us discover Tea County Munnar.
A property that won us over, along with many others, as one of the best resorts in Munnar in many ways. With the humanness in their hospitality, attention to detail in service, location, and sense of security, we revisited twice, with the most recent trip this May for our third anniversary. In the three years, while a lot has remained the same, some things have changed. Read on to know the hits and misses of this property.
P.S.: This is not a paid collaboration. Munnar trips are impulsive for us, thus the stays were always booked by us on the way!
AS YOU ENTER
Located in the heart of Munnar, hardly half a kilometer from the bus station and town, Tea County welcomes you with commendable hospitality right from the main door. From the luggage being handled with extra caution by the bellboy to the warm herbal tea as the welcome drink, Tea County starts to grow on you while you enjoy the lounge and the beauty of the chandeliers with the faint earthy fragrance of incense in the air.
The high ceilings, grand stairs, tall French windows, and the arcade that leads to the cottages create a vibe so reclusive that you’ll forget that you are in a town.
Unless during the heavy monsoon, the rooms are almost always booked full, even though this property is still lacking in the marketing it deserves. We strongly urge the Department of Tourism and the Minister of PWD and Tourism, Shri. P A Muhammad Riyas, to ensure that the government-owned firms like Tea County Munnar are used to their greater potential.
THE SPACE
To be worthy of being one of the best resorts in Munnar, the Switzerland of Kerala, means the availability of a range of room types to pick and choose from. Tea County Munnar offers you a total of 59 rooms in varying types, such as Avenue, Executive, Premium, Royal Premium, Superior, and Royal Suite. Tea County has the basic amenities expected of a premium resort, including conference rooms, a multi-cuisine restaurant, a beer parlour, indoor games, laundry, spa, and more.
All cottages are built with a theme that hints at Kerala architecture, but the undeniable colonial charm is present through subtle details. All common areas are regularly cleaned and maintained, well-lit, and smell fresh.
Despite being located in Munnar town, a significant detail that deserves all praise for this property is how serene and calm the whole resort is. The plot being located slightly uphill contributes heavily to this tranquility and ensures a beautiful valley view from the balconies of cottages and the restaurant. You see the town, you know its proximity, but you are also ever so conveniently away from it. You feel almost like a viewer enjoying a framed art piece, distant but connected.
The location also ensures quick accessibility to all the major viewpoints.
THE ROOM
During the two visits to Tea County Munnar, the Premium and Royal Premium rooms were chosen, and the experience has been almost perfect! The Premium rooms, especially the top-floor ones, are ideal for couples and solo female travelers to have privacy, a beautiful balcony with a view, and a cozy vibe for romance and/or tranquility. The Royal Premium rooms, with their larger carpet area, are great for families with a child and for elderly people.
The cleanliness is the first thing you can tick off of your list. Everything is clean, hygienic, organized, and well-placed for easy access. The rooms are spacious, well-ventilated with multiple window openings and balconies, hence no musty or damp smell.
The bathrooms, the ultimate test to decide whether a stay is going to be regrettable or not! The bathrooms are big YES. Clean, dry floor with dry and wet areas and a very detailed array of toiletries, including the basics, a sewing kit, slip-on footwear, lotions, and more, spread neatly near the sink. The toilet seats are disinfected, and the only issue found was with the water pressure of the flush.
The rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and have power outlets on almost every wall, so no need to wait for one device to get charged before you can plug in another. The absence of AC could become an issue in the coming years, but so far, the fan is ample for a comfortable stay. The wardrobes come with a locker and a dressing area parallel to it, with ample space.
The interiors also hint at the stunning beauty of English architecture, specifically the Tudor style. The curtains, furniture, and linens complement each other, making a cohesive whole. The bed linens and covers are clean and pressed with no stains or bedbugs in sight, ensuring a peaceful sleep. Yet another appraisable element is the availability of multiple seating options in the form of chairs, sofas, and even a traditional easy chair – you don’t have to sit on the bed to eat.
FOOD & DRINKS
As mentioned, it is their spring rolls and lemon tea, along with honey as the sweetener, that made the primary impression. But compared to the other resort dining experiences of similar stature, it has to be mentioned that the food is not the strong suit of Tea County Munnar. Especially during the second visit, there has been a considerable decline in the taste and variety of the dishes served, including the absence of honey as the lime tea sweetener.
The cleanliness, service quality, and ambiance of the restaurant and the beer parlor are great and suitable for their respective moods and visitors. Veg and non-veg options are available with breakfast, lunch, and dinner being served as a buffet with a very predictable menu. À la carte is available primarily for the in-room dining option. When it comes to the beer parlor, do keep in mind that ‘only’ beer and wine are served.
LITTLE THINGS MATTERED
I have said this many times and will say it more: hospitality is the defining strength of Tea County Munnar, ensuring customer retention year after year and helping it rank among the best resorts in Munnar.
The presence of security in common areas such as the arcade and the parking is such a relief. Whether you need to go to your car at night or return to your room at the far end corner, you (especially the female travelers) will feel safe with the presence of security in audible range.
The maintenance of the landscape and garden is commendable. The sheer amount of work that goes on around the year for the landscape maintenance is a reason that makes your experience here grounded and calming.
The mosquito repellent in the room is another tiny thing that makes you smile when you realize the thoughtfulness.
The restrooms in common areas, such as the restaurant, are constantly cleaned thoroughly with dedicated staff who deserve praise! The toilets are clean and smell clean, so the ladies won’t necessarily need to do ‘air squats’ and ‘hovering’, iykyk.
THE PEOPLE
There is the architecture, the grandiose, and the spell of the location, but Tea County Munnar is its people first. From the bell boys and reception desk team to the restaurant staff and security, they are here to serve, and they are proud of their jobs. No inhibitions, no confusions, no half-heartedness, just pure professionalism and warmth, ensuring that you won’t have much to complain about as you leave the property.
Heads up! Micro story ahead. Two instances locked this property in the forever list for us. Not quite ready to go home after our honeymoon, we took a detour to Munnar and stayed in a different hotel. The next day, as we were planning to leave, we reached Tea County for lunch. On the way back, the reception team enquired about our staying for the night.
Our budget was exhausted, yet “Shall I show you the rooms if you don’t mind?” was the question from the bell boy, which we couldn’t deny. While showing the two rooms with pride, hinting at the confidence he has in the property, he also noticed that I liked the latter. Still concerned about the budget, we promised to return soon when one of the receptionists came in on time with the deals they were having- two nights for the price of one. The deal was done!
The second instance was during the next day’s breakfast buffet, when the Food and Beverage Manager noticed that my husband (Luke) was dining alone. He enquired whether I had fallen sick due to the weather. As Luke informed him that I slept in after our tiresome journey, his immediate reaction was to offer breakfast in our room. Though Luke tried to avoid troubling them, the F&B Manager insisted and made me a plate with bread, butter, jam, cut fruits, and coffee. Needless to say, the rest of my day was made.
The staff at Tea County Munnar know when and how to interact. They are humble, observant, considerate, understand the guest’s needs, and are ready to help out. The two personal instances of invisible hospitality that they offered unasked were enough to make Tea County synonymous with Munnar for us.
FIT FOR WHOM?
Solo female travelers looking for a safe yet beautiful property to stay in Munnar have to look no further than Tea County Munnar. It is safe and very close to the town, hence to all possible amenities such as hospitals, police station, shops, taxi stands, and bus station. You can pack your bags now.
Tea County Munnar is a kid-friendly property for families planning to visit. The beautiful gardens and indoor games are great for the little people to be engaged with while having a break from the overstimulating blue light and screens. For the elders, you might want to request the cottages or the ground-floor rooms in case of mobility issues.
Munnar is the OG honeymoon heaven, and Tea County Munnar is here to raise that standard. For the couples, this property is a no-brainer. From candlelight dinners and cakes to flower arrangements, they do it all for you. Your partner is now waiting to be surprised with this getaway.
Tea County is not for those looking for a workcation or adventure. The tariffs are quite hefty for a longer stay for a workcation, and the property doesn’t provide adventure activities such as hiking and trekking.
CRITIC’S NOTE
Not a dealbreaker, but the absence of AC can be an ick. Global warming is real, the climate is changing, and it’s affecting even the magic of Munnar.
Exclusive architecture. Not all rooms/cottages in Tea County Munnar are accessible, specifically the rooms on the top floor, as there are no lifts or ramps.
The water pressure of the flushes in the bathrooms has to be improved. Yes, I learned it the hard way!
The buffet menu needs to stop playing it safe. A more extensive and varied menu, maybe even seasonal, is expected from a premium resort. Consistency of taste is also required.
BOOK NOW
Now that you’ve read all the way through and I have given answers to all your possible questions, scroll that finger to click the book now to have a wonderful stay at Tea County Munnar!
THE AUTHOR
Keerthana Bose is the property critic and co-founder of Franco Anil Tours & Travels, a boutique travel consultancy that only recommends places she and her partner have personally vetted. A lifelong traveler with a sharp eye for the overlooked, she writes honest, experiential reviews meant to help real people make better travel decisions.
Follow her journey as she turns hotel stays into stories worth reading.
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