The Best Hotels to Book in Manali, India

The Manali Inn is a cosy hotel sitting across the banks of the mighty River Beas. Besides the 47 comfortable rooms, the hotel also has a fitness centre – complete with a sauna, steam room and hot tub – spa rooms, a conference hall, a video game parlour and a discotheque. The Manali Inn can be found just 3km (1.9mi) from the city centre, popularly known as Mall Road.

ManuAllaya is a luxury resort where you can either choose to book a spacious and elegantly designed room or opt for a private cottage. This is one of a handful of hotels in Manali that offer an indoor, temperature-controlled swimming pool. There are also three restaurants at the resort – Cafe Jardin, D’Jong and Kibber – serving Western, Asian and Indian cuisine respectively. There’s also an on-site bar called the Library, where you can relax with a drink in the evening.

In terms of architecture, no hotel in Manali compares to the imposing, fortress-like appearance of the Himalayan. The luxury resort, set amid apple and cherry orchards, offers beautifully designed rooms, all furnished with antiques and objets d’art. The Himalayan also works towards sustainable practices like energy and water conservation, waste reduction and local community outreach, making it ideal for those looking for an eco-friendly hotel in Manali.

Club Mahindra is ideal for those coming to Manali for a family vacation. Apart from the regular sightseeing and adventure sports for adults, the hotel also organises outdoor activities for kids, such as paintball. The hotel is located around 4km (2.5mi) from the main town, but the distance shouldn’t keep you away from this charming stay. The quaint property looks especially beautiful during the winter season when it is shrouded in white snow.

Urvashi’s Retreat can be found in an idyllic setting, amid apple orchards and a lush green forest. The rustic decor of the rooms incorporates artfully-designed period furniture. In case the weather turns for the worse or you don’t feel like stepping outdoors, you can also spend the day at the hotel taking cooking classes from the in-house chefs.

Manali Heights looks like it’s been plucked straight out of a fairytale. Perched at a height of 6,930ft (2,112m) and nestled amid the 500-year-old Dhungiri forest, the property offers stunning views of scenic Manali. You can also enjoy local Himachali cuisine at the on-site Whistling Pines restaurant. The famous Hadimba Temple, where many Bollywood films have been shot, is very close to the hotel.

Span Resort and Spa is the perfect place for a rejuvenating vacation in Manali. The nature resort is surrounded by walnut orchards, pine forests and pristine mountains. The luxury property comes complete with a gym, billiards room, library lounge, jogging track, helipad and a private river access service. You can also request a customised yoga programme at the hotel.

If you like being surrounded by nature, you’ll love this Himalayan hotel in Manali, hugged by thick pine forests and pretty apple orchards. After hiking in the fresh air, cosy up in your room decorated in rich shades of red and green. For squabble-free family time book a spacious duplex, or to snooze on a window-side daybed liberally strewn with plump cushions, opt for the lofty Maharaja room. Those verdant views keep coming at the aptly-named Valley View Restaurant where you can dine on everything from croissants to Chinese noodles and Gujarati dal.

This family-run, chalet-style hotel has a peaked roof as green as the forest that surrounds it. Bag a room with an ornate balcony for valley or garden views, or splash out on one of the private cottages, which mirror the main hotel’s architecture and come with cooks. Soak up the scenery and the clean, mountain air with a hike to the Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa Monastery, just under 3km (1.9mi) away. After that, you’ll have an appetite for the tasty tandoori chicken served at the hotel’s restaurant.