March 7th – 9th, 2025

Do you have an inclination for the Incline? Then join me on this little trip high up in the hills of the Eastern ghats of South India.

The driveway slopes upwards, flanked by rows of pretty cottages coated in warm, earthy tones against which lush greenery speckled with colorful flowers creates a striking contrast as it faithfully clings alongside. Spring has burst forth in the hills and so have the bright blooms that adorn the clusters of shrubs and trees, creating a vibrant multicolored canvas for the eyes to feast on.

The avocado trees are at their peak potential with their prolific bunches of delicate blossoms, proffering the hope of branches soon to be laden with the bright green buttery fruit.

I breathe in deeply of the crisp mountain air and surrender to the melodious trilling of the resident Bulbul orchestra as these restless birds play ‘Catch me if you can’ with each other and of course with my camera too!

This is nature’s welcoming committee that greets me and invigorates me as I arrive all weary and jaded from the dreary and dusty city.

Snuggled in the folds of the charming hill station of Yercaud, lies the TGI Star Holiday Resort, where I have arrived to likewise snuggle in its hospitable arms for the next couple of days.

Perched on the rolling slopes of the Shevaroy hills of the Eastern ghats, Yercaud is a picturesque town that lies in the Salem district of Tamilnadu which is one of India’s southern states.

About Shevaroy hills and Yercaud –

The Shevaroy hills got their anglicized name from the local deity known as Servarayan. This range is a part of the Eastern ghats of India and rise to over 5000 feet above mean sea level (msl). Yercaud is a major town in this region and is a popular hill station destination for tourists because of its scenic landscapes, unpolluted environs, salubrious climate and ease of access from many nearby towns and cities.

About The Great Indian Group of Hotels and Resorts (TGI) – 

TGI Hotels and Resorts manages and markets a chain of small, medium and premium hotels and resorts across India.

Based in Puducherry, this brand is a venture by two hotel management graduates Amitava Roy and V.K. Arun Kumar. They began operations in 2014 and have now burgeoned from a single hotel in Yelagiri, to several business and boutique hotels as well as resorts across India.

About TGI Star Holiday Resort  – 

Launched in 2004, this 2.5 acre resort has been in existence for an impressive duration of over 20 years. Initially known as the Star Holiday Resort for the first 10 years, its management was taken over by the TGI group in 2014 and they continue to run this place till date.

Ensconced within the hilly slopes of the Shevaroy Hills in Yercaud and surrounded by coffee plantations and majestic silver oak trees, this picturesque resort offers elegant stay options with the luxuries to make for a pleasant and comfortable vacation.

Said to have one of the largest number of rooms in Yercaud, this 2.5 acre space is set in an L shape with gates at either end. The shorter side of the L houses the new rooms, the reception, the restaurant, banquet halls and spa and the longer side is a sloping path framed by the rest of the cottages situated on either side, along with the other features like the pool, play area, courtyard, games area etc.

Landscaped greenery, day long melody from the local prolific bulbul ‘bird-gangs’ and the brightness of the abundant multicolored blossoms, make for charming visuals.

The Terminalia Mentalis tree at the entrance, with its graceful umbrella like form, is the first thing to catch one’s eye.

To add to the appeal, a Pergola with a row of trellises draped with the delicate hanging blossoms of the Mysore trumpet vine (Thunbergia Mysorensis), provides a walkway between the new block and the reception, emanating celebratory vibes and tantalizing us to seize the photo opportunity!

The tranquil aura and natural beauty of TGI Star Holiday Resort, makes it a desirable getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether it is gazing at the hills from the breezy verandah or simply listening to the rustle of leaves and birds, this resort in the hills offers an idyllic retreat where nature and comfort come together beautifully.

Features and Amenities – 

A short video of the property – 

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The reception – 

The main reception is an elegant room where guests are greeted with a welcome drink as they complete the formalities.

Courtyard and Cafe –

With a dais, stone seating in various angular designs, a coffee shop that is operational on a need basis, the Courtyard is a very interesting common area where guests can hang out at any time or where  group events can be conducted.

The Indoor games room, the bonfire, the badminton court and the children’s play area are also a part of this Courtyard.

Indoor games room – 

Games like carrom, chess, playing cards etc are available.

Badminton court – 

Bonfire pit – 

The bonfire is lit from 7.30 pm onwards and one can enjoy the flames which dance to the accompaniment of some robust Tamil music 😁

The play area – 

The place has slides, swings and the usual paraphernalia to keep children occupied while the adults can relax within view at the Courtyard.

Swimming pool – 

The curved pool is a relatively small one but has a separate section for children too. Timings are from 9 am to 6 pm.

Gym –

The gym is housed in a small room with some basic equipment.

Adventure sports – 

This area is situated at the main entrance adjacent to the parking lot and features a High Rope walk and a couple of swings.

Banquet hall and board room – 

The Banquet Hall is a large space that can accommodate up to 500 guests (floating) and is a suitable venue for personal or official events and celebrations like weddings, parties, conferences etc. The hall is equipped with WiFi as well as the necessary audio-visual aids. This is located on the second floor above the restaurant.

The mini hall/boardroom is a fitting space for seminars and corporate meetings and is furnished with premium seating and modern equipment. This is located on the first floor above the restaurant.

There is no elevator access to either.

Spa and wellness center – 

The Aura spa is located next to the mini hall and offers therapies like Kerala Ayurvedic treatments, Swedish and Deep Tissue massages, foot reflexology, children’s massage etc. There are male and female therapists to suit both genders of guests.

The Stay – 

TGI Star Holiday Resort offers an impressive 56 rooms and suites to choose from. Named after regional flora like Avocado and the 2 varieties of coffee which are Arabica and Robusta, the elegant cottages and rooms are located in 2 clusters. 8 of the rooms/suites are at the entrance where the terrain is even but the rest of the options are found in cottage style buildings flanking a sloped path which may be a bit difficult to surmount for those who are not fit enough. However, the driveway is fortunately motorable right up to the entrance of each dwelling.

All the rooms have ensuite bathrooms and provide the basic amenities like TV, Tea/coffee maker, toiletries, bed and bath linen, 24 hours hot water etc.

Arabica Rooms – 

There are 2 Arabica Rooms, one on the ground floor and one on the first floor and these are located in the entrance block near the reception. The 360 sq ft of space can accommodate up to 3 guests.

Arabica Suites – 

The 5 Arabica Suites (3 on the ground and 2 on the first floor) are located in the same cluster along with the Arabica rooms. These are spacious and comfortable spaces spread across 500 sq ft with a living room, balcony, bedroom, dressing area, ensuite bathroom etc and are suitable for small families or groups.

These suites offer a host of amenities like luggage racks, coffee tables, couches and center table, desk and chair, double bed, full length mirror, hairdryer, iron, 24 hours hot water, bath linen, toiletries, mini fridge, tea/coffee maker, etc.

I stayed in this suite and I definitely recommend it for the various comforts and aesthetics that it offers.

Arabica Presidential Suite – 

The Arabica Presidential Suite is the fanciest of all the options and lies next to the regular Arabica suite on the first floor. This generous 768 sq ft space has in addition to the features of the regular suite, a second bedroom, a second bathroom with a tub and an exclusive terrace space with the facility of having a private bonfire. This is ideal for 2 adults and 2 children or even 2 couples. There is only 1 of this category.

Flora Suites – 

The 9 Flora Suites are ground floor suites offering 415 sq ft of space that comprises of a small porch, living room, bedroom and ensuite bathroom. These are non AC suites. They can house up to 4 adults and 2 children.

Robusta Suites – 

Robusta Suites are also 415 sq ft in size and are located above the Flora suites. These 9 suites are similar to the Flora in design and features but have the added benefit of being AC suites and have a small balcony at the entrance. Some of the Robustas have good views of the hills in the background.

These suites also can accommodate up to 4 adults and 2 children.

Avocado Rooms – 

The 30 Avocado rooms are in clusters of 4 and there are 15 on the ground level and 15 on the first floor. They are comfortable and functional non AC rooms with some verandah space too. They can accommodate up to 3 adults and 1 child.

Restaurant – 

The resort has its in-house restaurant which is operational from 6.30 am to 11.30 pm everyday.

The multicuisine dining space can seat 63 pax and serves breakfast, lunch, hi tea and dinner. When the occupancy warrants it, the meals are served buffet style but they also have an a la carte menu.

When I visited, the kitchen was under renovation and hence a temporary set up was in place to cater to the guests.

My personal feedback on the dining experience was that while the service was pleasant and eager to please, the efficiency needed to be taken up quite a notch. A lot more training and fine tuning is required for the staff.

Also regarding the overall quality of the food, while the breakfast buffet was quite a comprehensive spread encompassing the usual gamut of North Indian, South Indian and Continental fare, the lunch and dinner were not up to the mark and were rather inconsistent and average experiences for me.

However I must also mention that at the very economical price point which they have maintained, this seems to work well for the many groups of guests who throng the place and who seemed to have no complaints about anything.

Room service is also available for those who wish to dine in private.

Food options outside the resort – 

Yercaud being a tourist town, there are also many options to dine at other eateries outside the resort, though I did not have the time to explore any on this trip.

Activities – 

Activities within the resort – 

As mentioned earlier, the swimming pool, children’s play area, indoor games, outdoor games, gym, bonfire etc are some of the facilities available to keep guests entertained within the premises.

Things to do in the Surroundings – 

Yercaud is a tourist town and has its set of famous landmarks, sightseeing spots and other attractions. It is also a relatively small town and one can cover most of the local places of interest within a couple of days.

Some of the popular ones are the Yercaud lake, Shevaroy temple, Sacred Heart church, Pagoda point, Ladies seat, Gents seat, Kiliyur falls (after the rains), Montfort school, Poppy Hills adventure park, botanical garden, Holy Trinity church, Retreat church and view point, Anna park, several chocolate factories/shops and so on.

One can also shop for spices, chocolates, the local black and red rajma beans, seasonal vegetables and fruits like the Kamala orange, Hill banana, avocados etc.

Do not miss the famous Drynaria quercifolia rhizome also known as Mudavattukaal Kizhangu/Attukaal Kizhangu, Oakleaf Fern or vegetarian goat trotters. This thick rhizome of the fern resembles a furry goat trotter (paya) and is said to also have similar medicinal properties of the paya whose soup is used to treat or cure issues like arthritis and other joint pains. The soup made from this rhizome is also widely available at streetside stalls.

Visitor Profile – 

Guests of all ages are permitted with no restrictions.

The resort in its idyllic hill station setting, is ideal for any type of occasion, whether it be a rejuvenating break from the mundane to get away from it all or for corporate team outings or celebrations of intimate nature or family events like birthday parties and other celebrations etc.

It is a good place for individuals, couples, families and groups of friends. Bear in mind however, that only a few spaces are accessible to guests who are differently abled.

It is also a nice place for artists, photographers, tourists, professionals who want to ‘work from resort’ and those who just want a really quiet holiday!

Best time to visit – 

Yercaud is a hill station and hence can be considered to be a year round destination. The weather in the town which is surrounded by wooded slopes, is not too unpleasant even in summers, though in the recent past global warming is baring its fangs to some extent. Rainy season has its own charms, though outdoor activities may be restricted. Winters are cold but actually quite lovely and are also a great time to visit.

Winters are from October to February, spring in March, summer in April and May and monsoon around June to September.

Winter is considered to be the most ideal to visit and summers are called the peak season due to school holidays and the notion that hill stations are cooler than the plains. Spring is very pleasant and the rainy season also has its own charms with lush greenery abounding.

Phone and internet connectivity –

The property provides a free Wifi connection for its guests. When I visited, the connection was mostly good but there were unstable moments too. Airtel and Jio both work here.

What is available and what you should carry –

There is a generator for power back up which can support all appliances, WiFi etc, in case of a power failure.

All standard toiletries and bed and bath linen are provided.

Considering the terrain and possible activities, carry a pair of walking shoes, a cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, a backpack, swimwear, binoculars, camera etc.

Since the resort is in a small town, make sure to carry your medication and other personal supplies which you may need.

The type of clothing you need, is weather dependent but being a hill station surrounded by trees, it is mostly cool especially between sunset and early morning, even if it is summer. So it is always a good idea to carry at least 1 coat. Winters are quite chill, hence equip yourself accordingly.

Daytime is warm in summer, so carry light, cotton wear.

And as always, carry your ID card with you.

Additional Information –

Multiple large spaces are available for open air parking.

The resort provides free accommodation for the drivers of their guests. Food is extra.

This place does not permit pets.

Being located in a hilly region, the main driveway is quite steep and hence this is not really a disabled friendly property. However the 4 ground floor Arabica rooms/suites near the reception are on level ground and are wheelchair accessible and the nearby restaurant has 2 small steps to surmount.

Getting there – 

By air –

TGI Star Holiday Resort is –

146 km from Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) international airport

154 km from Coimbatore international airport

250 km from Kempegowda international airport, Bangalore

From these cities one can come by bus, train or car/cab.

By train –

Salem junction railway station is the nearest at 30 km from the resort and it takes an hour by road from there over the ghat section.

By bus –

Yercaud town bus stand is 2.5 km from the resort.

Taxis and autos are a possibility for last mile accessibility.

The resort can also organize transport if required.

By personal transport/cab – 

The most convenient way to get here from the surrounding cities, is by your own car or cab.

I travelled from Bangalore by car. The roads are excellent and there are several options along the way for food and restroom breaks.

Booking and contact – 

Address –

TGI Star Holiday Resort,

Salem main road,

Yercaud

Phone – +91 9025221653

Email id –  reservations@tgihotels.com

Website of TGI Star Holiday Resort

Instagram of TGI Star Holiday Resort

FB Page of TGI Star Holiday Resort

X of TGI Hotels

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Please Note –

This trip was in collaboration with TGI Star Holiday Resort and I thank them for the hospitality. My narration is based on the inputs I received from various sources as well as my personal experiences.

For more pictures see My Facebook – TGI Star Holiday Resort

Also catch me on My Facebook, My Facebook page, My Twitter and My Instagram

This itinerary was specially curated hence some of the features might have been personalized accordingly. Before booking, please check the facilities offered in your package.

I would really appreciate your feedback and comments in the comment box below.

March 7th – 9th, 2025