In the most lovable Lovedale, a quiet little neighbourhood of Ooty, lies the hideaway vacation home of one of South India’s most iconic film stars, V Mohanlal. For years, it has been a completely private retreat for him and his family, and very close friends. Today, Mohanlal opens his heart and his beautiful home to welcome you to share in the experience of his life’s journey as an actor and indulge in his passion for food, arts and nature. Stay in this luxurious and beautifully furnished 3-bedroom home that pays tribute to his rich legacy of films in the memorabilia and art that adorn its walls. Celebrate togetherness with your family or friends and create lasting memories much like your host did; in the family room, playing board games while warming by the fire or in the quirkily named Gun House, enjoying a drink or two with close friends. During the day, stretch out with a book in the beautiful garden outside, surrounded by colourful flowers and be serenaded by the chirping of birds nesting in the dense ivy. Ooty’s attractions are only a 15-minute drive away. But why bother when you can enjoy outdoor barbecues and lip-smacking Kerala cuisine prepared by Mohanlal’s chef, whose food is the real hero of Hideaway! STORY OF HIDEAWAY Fans of Malayalam cinema and of peaceful hill station holidays alike will cherish their time at Hideaway, home of iconic superstar Mohanlal. Step through the ivy archway into this enormous open house and admire the memorabilia from his long body of work. Built more than a decade ago, Hideaway was a family retreat while the children were studying in Ooty; a place to reunite and bond during weekends, surrounded by nature. With time, it has grown into a house that reflects their passions. The lush garden is lovingly maintained day in and day out, full of colour throughout the year. The delicious food is prepared by the expert in-house chef, who has been with the family for over 25 years, learning Kerala recipes directly from Mohanlal and his wife. And the art of film is represented throughout the house, in the memorabilia and caricatures from Mohanlal’s illustrious career. The annex, the Gun House, also features a number of replicas from his films. Fitting for its name, Hideaway now stands as a celebrity’s sanctuary, where he can keep his privacy and enjoy time with his friends and family. We invite you to do the same. SPACES - Villa sleeps a maximum of 8 guests - 3 Bedrooms with ensuite baths - Master Bedroom - 4-poster King bed - Appu’s Room - King bed - Maya’s Room - King bed - A sofa bed is available on the first-floor mezzanine TV area for an extra guest - An extra floor mattress is provided in one bedroom - Beautifully furnished living space - Intimate dining space with scenic views - Family room with a fireplace and a powder room - Mezzanine TV room - Gun House - Annex Unit with a powder room for sundowners - Beautiful lawn with outdoor seating, BBQ and bonfire area - Accommodation for accompanying staff INCLUDED SERVICES - Breakfast daily; coffee and tea available through the day with our compliments - Portable room heaters in all bedrooms - High-quality bed & bath linen - High-speed Wi-Fi - Daily housekeeping - Luxury bath amenities - 100% power backup - Board games - 3-member on-site team of chef & housekeepers LUX Concierge & Guest Relations Services AVAILABLE SERVICES - Garden BBQs and authentic local South Indian meals available with suggested menus - Advance and daily provisioning services available for a fee - Bonfire services available - Laundry with 24-hour turnaround - Firewood for a bonfire or the fireplace at a fee - Curated experiences of the Nilgiris including nature walks, food experiences, tea-tasting, dining reservations & golf sessions - Itinerary planning & organising special occasions - Airport transfers and local transport, including acting drivers HOW TO SPEND YOUR TIME - Warm up in the lawn with a bonfire and feast on a delicious BBQ - Visit the village of Lovedale, one of the highest places in the Nilgiris, and walk around to take in the beautiful scenery - Explore the nearest town, Ooty, on a guided heritage walk or e-bike tour - Play a round of golf in one of Ooty’s colonial-era clubs or enjoy a delicious meal in one of the city’s fine-dining restaurants - Try a unique workshop in Coonoor, such as making chocolate or tasting the area’s local teas - Ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a 120-year-old UNESCO-protected monument and India’s only rack railway - Pay respects to soldiers who gave their lives for their country at Coonoor’s army museums - Learn about the Todas and Irulas, two Dravidian ethnic groups who live in the Nilgiris, through expert-led anthropological tours - Relax in the garden, surrounded by the chirping birds nesting in the ivy and bottlebrushes - Admire the region’s wealth of wildlife and nature, which you can explore on guided tours with experts in their field HOME TRUTHS - The replica guns on display inside the house and annex are only for viewing. They are strictly not to be touched or removed from their place. - Evenings in Lovedale tend to be very cold. Dress warm before you start feeling chilly. - Pets are not permitted in the villa. - Indoor spaces are non-smoking. If you wish to smoke outdoors, please use the ashtray provided. - Hideaway is a footwear-free zone. Please carry personal slippers if you wish to wear them inside the house. - The mezzanine level has railings with a drop. Please do not leave young children unsupervised in these areas. - The room and cabinet doors tend to expand in the winter and rainy seasons, which can make it difficult to open them. Please ask the villa team for help if needed. - Electricity supply is of reasonable quality throughout the year except during the monsoons. The house has 100% backup power from a diesel genset with manual changeover in case of a power failure. - Leopards are often found in the woods near the villa. Please be careful when walking during the day. Due to the presence of wildlife after dusk and in the early mornings, please do not venture outside. GETTING HERE - Ooty: 15 mins - Coonoor: 40 mins - Kotagiri: 50 mins - Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: 2 hrs - Coimbatore: 2.5 hrs - Mysore: 3.5 hrs - Bangalore: 7-8 hrs - Chennai: 8-9 hrs - Mettupalayam Railway Station: 2 hrs - Coimbatore Airport: 3 hrs