New Resort — Opening Soon
UG The Fern Resort & Spa, Chikmagalur
Marriott's Series brand arrives in Karnataka's coffee hills — here's everything genuinely confirmed so far, including one honest distinction most listings won't tell you.
UG The Fern Resort & Spa, Chikmagalur
What Is This Property, Exactly?
UG The Fern Resort & Spa Chikmagalur is a new resort operated by The Fern Hotels & Resorts, an established Indian hospitality group, under Marriott's Series by Marriott brand — a genuine Marriott Bonvoy-affiliated arrangement, though not a fully Marriott-flagged luxury property. Set on 5 acres in Chikmagalur's coffee-growing hills, it looks out toward Mullayanagiri — Karnataka's highest peak — along with Bababudangiri and Deviramma peak.
Worth knowing before you book: "Series by Marriott" is a value-focused tier, not a luxury one. The property's own marketing calls itself a "luxury retreat" with "opulent" spaces — but Marriott's own brand description for Series positions it as "the basics done well at prices that reflect our streamlined philosophy." Expect a comfortable, well-located, Marriott Bonvoy-eligible resort, not a five-star luxury property in the traditional sense. Neither framing is wrong exactly — just worth knowing which one to actually expect.
Is UG The Fern Chikmagalur a luxury resort?
Worth being precise here. The property's own marketing describes it as a 'luxury retreat' with 'opulent' spaces, but it operates under Marriott's 'Series by Marriott' brand — which Marriott itself describes as 'the basics done well at prices that reflect our streamlined philosophy,' a value-focused tier, not a luxury flagship line. Expect a comfortable, well-located resort rather than a five-star luxury property in the traditional sense.
Who operates UG The Fern Resort & Spa Chikmagalur?
The Fern Hotels & Resorts, an established Indian hospitality group, operates the property under Marriott's Series by Marriott brand — a genuine Marriott Bonvoy-affiliated arrangement, not a fully Marriott-flagged luxury property.
Is It Open Yet?
Not fully, as of the time of writing. Marriott's own listing marks the property explicitly as "New," and a General Manager — Jayant John, whose background includes Sterling Hotels & Resorts, Le Méridien, and Grand Hyatt — was appointed in December 2025 specifically to oversee the pre-opening phase. Operations are expected to begin imminently.
Bookable on OTAs already, but confirm before you commit. Marriott's own booking engine and several major OTAs already list the property, which is normal ahead of a confirmed opening. Given the pre-opening status, we'd recommend confirming directly with us before locking in specific travel dates.
Is UG The Fern Resort & Spa Chikmagalur open yet?
Not fully, as of the time of writing — it's in its pre-opening phase. Marriott's own listing marks it explicitly as a 'New' property, and a General Manager was appointed in December 2025 specifically to oversee the pre-opening period. It's expected to become operational imminently. Confirm current status with us before booking a specific date.
What's On-Site
Velvet Hills & Café Flora
Two named restaurants on-site, alongside a bar called Scenic Vista Lounge, and a lobby-level Al Fresco Coffee Shop — fitting, given the property sits in the heart of Karnataka's coffee-growing region.
Outdoor Pool
Positioned to take in panoramic Western Ghats and Sholas forest views alongside the swim.
Spa
An on-site spa offering treatments, part of the resort's broader relaxation-focused positioning.
Meeting Space
Event and meeting facilities on-site, suited to small corporate gatherings alongside leisure stays.
What dining options does the resort have?
Two restaurants — Velvet Hills and Café Flora — plus a bar called Scenic Vista Lounge, and a lobby-level Al Fresco Coffee Shop, fitting given the property's setting in Karnataka's coffee-growing region.
Location & Getting There
The resort sits at Bindiga, Mallenhalli, on the outskirts of Chikmagalur town, with direct views of Mullayanagiri, Bababudangiri, and Deviramma peak. It's roughly 265km from Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport — a genuine distance worth planning around — and the hotel does not offer shuttle service, so onward transport needs to be arranged separately.
Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru~265 km · no hotel shuttle
Mullayanagiri PeakKarnataka's highest point, visible from the property
Where exactly is UG The Fern Chikmagalur located?
Bindiga, Mallenhalli, on the outskirts of Chikmagalur town, Karnataka. The property sits on 5 acres with direct views of Mullayanagiri (Karnataka's highest peak), Bababudangiri, and Deviramma peak. It's roughly 265km from Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport, and the hotel does not provide shuttle service.
Continue Planning Nearby
Kemmangundi — hill station in the same Baba Budan Giri rangeRead guide
Bhadra Wildlife Guide — same broader Chikmagalur regionRead guide
Is there a KSTDC hotel or JLR property in Chikmagalur?
Not directly in Chikmagalur town itself, but the surrounding region is covered by our Kemmangundi and Bhadra Wildlife guides, both within reach of the same Mullayanagiri/Bababudangiri hill range this resort overlooks.