With its stunning landscape, rustic charm, colonial-era architecture, quaint cafés, and captivating beauty around every bend, Shimla is one of the preferred holiday destinations in India. To add to the wonderful experience, the city is blessed with a myriad of stay options, all offering guaranteed comfort and rejuvenation. Here’s the rundown of the best places to stay in the “Queen of Hills.”
Set at an elevation of 2,438 meters, the Wildflower Hall is one of the premium hotels with world-class amenities and the best views of the snow-covered mountains and verdant valleys. It boasts of colonial touch, elegant suites, and rooms with unparalleled views showcasing ultimate luxury and comfort. Besides, there is a decadent dining restaurant with brightly-lit indoor as well as outdoor terrace seating that serves Pan-India, continental and Asian cuisine. Pamper the body and mind with a yoga session, rejuvenate at the spa, relax in the indoor pool overlooking the mountains, or indulge in Ayurvedic treatment or massage. Perhaps begin your evening with a drink at the Cavalry bar, or if you want to host a private dinner party, there is a Lutyens Hall that can accommodate 24 people. A coffee shop, boutique, gym, and outdoor infinity whirlpool are also available for guests. The hotel’s colonial charm, luxurious amenities, and stellar service make the Wildflower Hall a complete package.
Boasting a prime location, Shimla Havens Resort is idyllically perched at an elevation of 1,951 meters in the Himalayas amid rhododendron, pine, and cedar forests, and lies in close proximity to the famous Mall Road and the Summer Hill Railway Station. It essentially provides nature and serenity along with a luxurious touch. All the rooms and suites have an element of nature, coupled with modern amenities and gorgeous views of valleys and mountains. Guests seeking rejuvenation can indulge in meditation and yoga, or pump some iron at the fitness center. The resort arranges for an array of adventure activities, from waterfall rappelling and rock climbing to river valley crossing, Burma Bridge Crossing and zip lining.
Managed by the reputable Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, the Cecil is one of the oldest heritage hotels in the Queen of Hills that has been in the town since the British Raj. It is a classy place to stay that speaks of glamour and opulence. The interior is awe-inspiring, complete with beautiful upholstery, stunning lobby dotted with marble fireplaces, a majestic lounge lit by the skylight above, and elegant suites and rooms with state-of-the-art amenities and a private balcony offering mesmerizing vistas across the Shimla Valley. Along with a spa and a fine dining restaurant that serves international and local cuisine, there is a children’s activity area, indoor pools, and billiards room.
Hotel Willow Banks is yet another elegant hotel located on the bustling Mall Road. Blending modern style with traditional architecture, this hotel offers a unique stay experience. The hotel boasts of well-equipped rooms and suites overlooking the mesmeric town. Their spa, beauty salon, recreation room, gym, fine dining restaurant, café and bar, and warm hospitality are enough and more to make your stay here a memorable one.
Surrounded by lush greenery and mountains, the Hotel East Bourne is among the popular hotels in Shimla. The resort itself, inside and out, is spectacular and welcoming to families and honeymooners alike. There is an open-air multi-cuisine restaurant along with a bar overlooking the lofty peaks, a full-fledged gym, a spa that offers an array of massages and relaxing therapies, an indoor pool with a swim-up bar, a steam room, and a sauna. The rooms and suites are comfortable and aesthetically delightful.
Snow Valley Resorts is one of the biggest hotels in the Queen of Hills that sets the tone for style and grandeur. The rooms are impressive, complete with wooden flooring, vibrant colors, plush furnishings, high-end amenities, and a wondrous view of the lofty mountains and pine forests. For entertainment, there is a game room, and each evening, special activities are organized. There’s also a multi-cuisine restaurant in-house. To top it off, the hotel has special facilities for disabled guests.
Sumptuous décor and spacious rooms with glorious views of the town are the things guests of Woodsmoke Resort and Spa often rave about. Rooms are well-equipped, and modern furnishings, bright colors, raftered ceilings, and wooden floors enliven the rooms. Also, there is a spa to kick back in, a children’s activity and play area to keep the little ones entertained, a restaurant and bar, business center, a reading lounge, and games rooms, which makes it a one-stop holiday resort perfect for adults and kids alike.
Set amid lush green landscape and scenic valleys, the Club Mahindra Mashobra has something for families, honeymooners, and just about anyone on holiday. The décor exudes a historic charm that will take you back to the colonial era. The rooms are spacious with contemporary amenities. Besides, there is a specialty restaurant to delight your taste buds, a gym so you can keep up with your workout routine, a full-service spa to pamper your senses, and a cozy and intimate nook where you can relax and unwind with a drink. Outdoor activities like bonfire, rock climbing, rappelling, and more are also organized by the hotel.
Perched on a hilltop at an elevation of 2,012 meters, Koti Resorts is an ideal retreat that offers tranquillity, privacy, and luxury. The décor is stylish and elegant, to say the least. All the rooms offer panoramic views of the snow-clad mountains and picturesque valley. There’s a spa and wellness center to pamper your senses, an indoor swimming pool to refresh and rejuvenate, BBQ facilities, a conference hall, children’s playground to keep the little ones occupied, and a restaurant that serves Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine. Besides, the hotel also organizes several adventure activities for the guests, like horse-back riding, cycling, and hiking.
Radisson Hotel Shimla is well-reputed for its hospitality and comfort. The hotel pampers its guests with rooms outfitted with high-end amenities and fine touches, a multi-tiered outdoor pool overlooking the mountains, and full-service spa and Ayurvedic treatments. Many of the town’s top sights are just a stone’s throw away.
