Royal Orchid Metropole

Mysore, India

Destinations

India

Accommodation

Royal Orchid Metropole

Nestled in the heart of the regal and architecturally rich city of Mysore, the Royal Orchid Metropole was originally built as the ruling Wodeyar family’s guest house for visiting British officers and aristocracy.

It provides an unrivalled glimpse into a bygone era of colonial design grandeur. The hotel features 30 rooms and suites, all styled with opulent comfort and luxury in mind. Dark wooden furnishings complement the pops of regal greens, reds and golds that adorn the suites, reflecting the richness of the city’s maharaja culture.

Just 0.6 km from the train station, the hotel is minutes from the inimitable splendour of Mysore Palace and the vibrantly bustling Devaraja Market, providing an accessible point from which to explore this ‘City of Palaces’. Reflective of Mysore’s culinary heritage, the hotel boasts several different restaurants blending the influences of traditional southern Indian flavours with an indulgent, royal flourish. The facilities match the focus on luxury, with a large outdoor pool and fitness centre within the verdant grounds.

What we love

Experiencing the best of southern Indian cuisine at the hotel’s terrace restaurant, Tiger Tail, widely reputed to be the best food in city.
The grounds of the hotel are richly planted and cleverly designed, we particularly loved relaxing under the sky-skimming palms that surround the circular outdoor pool.
Mysore is famed for its incense, sandalwood, sculptures and silk sarees, all of which can be found aplenty at the city’s Devaraja Market, an easy walk from the hotel.
If you need a break from the city streets, we recommend visiting Karanji Lake; an oasis of serenity, perfect for birdwatching and surrounded by undulating gardens, just 1km from the hotel.

The hotel sits right in the centre of the town meaning it’s not immune to the noises from life outside the hotel gates. Given the scope for easy sight-seeing during the day, we still feel it is a wonderful base for exploring Mysore

The hotel is over 100 years old and serves as a testament to the heritage of its founding Wodeyar dynasty. Expect historical charm rather than shiny newness.

Family visitors are encouraged with extra beds or cots available, on request, in certain rooms. The Tiger Trail restaurant offers children’s menus specifically tailored for younger tastes. The hotel features its own ‘Gaming Zone’ for older children, alongside a play area and reading corner Child-focussed royal chariot rides and heritage walks are also available, for an additional fee

The hotel is focussed on preserving the heritage of the royal Wodeyar dynasty. It offers guided ‘royal heritage walks’ to the main sites of the city and around the hotel itself, which immerse the guests in the family’s cultural influence on Mysore

Just o.6 km from Mysore train station, and a short 18km drive from the airport, the hotel is easily accessible on arrival in the city. Its central location means that the main palatial attractions of Mysore are within easy walking distance of the hotel. The crown jewel of the city, Mysore Palace, is only 15 minutes away on foot.

What our travellers say

We went to Sri Lanka as a three-generation family of three. The superb trip was organised by Samanthie and the team and it's difficult to see how it could have been bettered.

Roy Wood (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

Red Dot organised the most wonderful 3-week holiday for us. Samanthie built a trip around the amazing sights we had requested visiting, together with her own suggestions and a wide mix of hotels, which gave us the flavours of both traditional Sri Lanka and the sleek, stylish contemporary version of the country. Our Driver made the whole experience incredibly special for us.

Alie C (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor

I can’t thank Cherylle and the Red Dot team enough for their meticulous planning of our family holiday to India travelling through Rajasthan over Christmas. As a family of all adults, every suggestion from daily activities to hotel choices was simply perfect. We travelled through Delhi, Ranthambore (an unforgettable tiger safari!), Jaipur and Agra and I truly feel we experienced the very best of each destination while moving at a relaxed, well thought out pace

Daisy Stanton (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

My partner arranged a holiday trip at fairly short notice to Sri Lanka with Red Dot on a recommendation, Samanthie was so patient & helpful with her suggested itinerary which we followed with some minor amendments. On arrival at Colombo we met Manjula our chauffeur/guide who was absolutely brilliant!

Andrew S (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor

Dulmini and the Red Dot Team arranged a fantastic trip for us around Assam and North East India. Faultless service. I cannot recommend them more highly.

Martin Thomas (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

Wonderful company. Our holiday in Sri Lanka was perfect. Local knowledge made all the difference

Sandra Nicholson (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

We looked up, and communicated with umpteen tour operators. Though Red Dot seemed to have offices in Sri Lanka and the UK, they seemed to have the best reviews. We were fortunate enough to correspond with Cherylle, who not only assured us of the safety of our friend, but created a personalised, and flexible, itinerary which we could not have done ourselves.

Jayant Banerji (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

A 14-day tour with Red Dot Tours was the perfect antidote to the bleak UK winter. After a glowing recommendation from a friend, we contacted Red Dot Tours and were not disappointed. Our consultant, Lahiru, curated a seamless itinerary. Throughout the planning phase, Lahiru was incredibly responsive; the final itinerary—delivered via a user-friendly 'Guest Portal'—was impressively detailed, covering every hotel stay and excursion.

Phil Blair ( February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

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