School Estate

Coorg, India

Destinations

India

Accommodation

School Estate

Sitting in a 200-acre coffee and spice plantation, School Estate is a hotel that embodies the traditional Kodava culture of this region.

Originally a training centre used to teach local young people vital agriculture and plantation management skills, it is now a homestay hotel in the heart of a working plantation.

Surrounded by the lush green of the dense forest, School Estate offers guests a choice of accommodation, either in independent cottages or within the main estate bungalow. Rooms are all simply furnished and comfortable with ensuite private bathrooms. They are flooded with natural light and offer immersive forest or garden views. Breakfast and dinner are a focal point here, with meals served under the forest canopy.

What we love

The hotel offers tours of the plantation, teaching about coffee-growing from seed to cup, alongside an insight into cardamom, pepper and vanilla crops.
We love the hotel’s commitment to sharing the unique Kodava culture, from the authentic specialist cuisine to storytelling and cultural performances.
The nature walks through the plantation and surrounding forests enable you to make the most of the fabulous bird watching opportunities.

Whilst the hotel only serves breakfast and dinner as part of its packages, you can request for both lunch and tea to be prepared at a small additional cost/p>

Families are welcome with cribs available on request

There is a strong focus here on facilitating tourism whilst maintaining eco-friendly practices in every element of the hotel and plantation management The plantation is run organically ensuring a healthier soil and protecting local biodiversity.

The estate practices agroforestry, integrating trees with coffee and spice crops to maintain soil fertility, enhance biodiversity and prevent soil erosion. The hotel is committed to employing its staff locally and training local workers in sustainable farming practices as well as hospitality

There are some fabulous attractions within an easy drive, giving lots of options for day trips from the hotel. These include: Abbey Falls, Madikeri Fort, Raja’s Seat and Talacauvery. Mangalore international airport is 160km from School Estate and Mysore Junction major train station is 120km away while Madikeri regional railway station is only 35km from the hotel.

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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