Which is best hotel in Yercaud? Is it safe to drive down from Chennai?

We are a family of 5. Self, Wife, two children (15/12) and one 5 year old child. We are planning a 3 night / 4 day getaway to Yercaud (from Chennai) between 19-Oct and 22-Oct.

Cost is not a limitation and we want the best comfort, and the best views and the best vegetarian food. Which hotel among Sterling, Grange, Grand Palace et al is the top of the heap? We have of course browsed the internet and obtained details but are unable to make the assessment of which is the best pad.

Could the experts advise us please....

Many thanks.

Yercaud is a hill station near Salem, Tamil Nadu, India in the Servarayan range (anglicized as Shevaroys) of hills in the Eastern Ghats. It is at an altitude of 1,500 metres (4,920 feet) from mean sea level. The town gets its name from the lake located at its center - in Tamil "Yeri" means "lake" and "Kaadu" means "forest". Yercaud is known for coffee plantations and orange groves. It also has an orchidarium run by the Botanical Survey of India.

The highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, which is situated at a height of 5326 feet. Hence the Yercaud hill area is called Shevaroy Hills.

Hotel Grand Palace is located in Yercaud (Tamilnadu, India) which is a quaint little hill station located at 220 kms from Bangalore and 35 kms from Salem Railway Station.

Yercaud is situated at 4700 feet above sea leve and is characterised by pleasant weather all through the year and thus making it a all weather all season destination.

Hotel Grand Palace is the best Hotel in Yercaud perched on a 10 acre hilltop overlooking Lake on one side and valleys on the other side.

sterling is a nice one, dunno abt others. but all will be more or less same. veg food is best from outside restaurants. and its perfectly safe to drive to yercaud..i guess u have to go to salem enroute yercaud...