Shimla the capital city of Himachal Pradesh is a picturesque hill station known for its scenic beauty, colonial architecture and pleasant weather. It is the favourite destination for travelers especially from the Northern plains of India to get respite from the hustle bustle of city life. With its old world charm,pedestrian friendly Mall Road and narrow streets lined up with shops, bistros, cafes and all in the mid of dense alluring green pine and cedar forests overlooking the mountains –Shimla makes for a truly memorable vacation. When planning a holiday in Shimla, one of the most important decisions is choosing the best hotel in Shimla. There are abundance of accommodation options and it can be challenging to find the best hotel in Shimla. But this blog can help you explore the top contenders and make an informed choice for your stay at this enchanting hill station. The best hotel in Shimla for your stay should be one that perfectly suits your preferences and budget so that you can ensure you have a comfortable and memorable stay.
1.Budget:
The first step in selecting the best hotel in Shimla is deciding your budget as accommodation options range from budget friendly backpacker stays to homestays to top rated well priced hotels to expensive and uber luxurious resorts. Budget will help narrow down the options.
2. Location:
Whether you want to stay in main Shimla on the Mall or near the Mall road or away from Shimla in nearby hamlets is another choice to make. The most well-known landmark is the main street, Mall Road: a pedestrian-only walkway, with a variety of shops and restaurants on one side and views across the valley to the other. Everyone comes here, night or day to ‘promenade’.
Usually it is preferred to stay on the Mall itself as you will have easy access to all of the main attractions – the colonial monuments, the Ridge, the restaurants, shops etc and it is a good place to even head out for some offbeat nature trails. It will also reduce the time spent in the car to travel to the Mall and back as you can simply walk out of the hotel and enjoy the best the hill town has to offer. Choice of the best hotel in Shimla further needs to be narrowed down by Mall Road location if that is your preference.
3. View and Ambience:
Shimla offers breathtaking and picturesque views and booking a hotel that gives you these from the comfort of your room can truly make your stay magical. There are very few hotels in Shimla that are centrally located on the Mall and yet offering stunning mountain views and these can in the true sense be the best hotels in Shimla.
4. Ambience of the Hotel:
There are hotels that have contemporary and swanky interiors and those that have heritage history and showcase british architecture. As per your preference, choose a hotel that gives you a good blend of the old and the new. With a old world feel remiscient of the bygone days a hotel that gives you all the comforts of the modern day and age would be ideally the best hotel in Shimla, from an ambience perspective.
5. Amenities & Facilities:
The facilities and in-house amenities are the ones that differentiate an ordinary hotel from one of the best hotels in Shimla as these can make your stay very enjoyable. Check the amenities and choose a hotel with a variety of in-house dining options, ideally outdoor terraces to enjoy magical sunset views, a bar to relax with cocktails at the end of the day, spa for rejuvenating therapy sessions, salon too ideally for grooming and making yourself feel anew inside and out. An in house travel desk would be good to help plan top rated sightseeing tours and also offbeat trekking, walks, adventure activities if you like. Nowadays hotels in Shimla also have in-house fresh beer brewing which can give you an unparalleled F&B experience on your vacation. A stable WiFi connection and fitness centre could be on your list of requirements too – so do select the best hotel in Shimla based on all these factors.
6. Online Reviews, Pricing, Cancellation Policies:
Before making any reservations – do read online reviews from reliable websites to ensure by other traveller ratings too it does stand out as the best hotel in Shimla that meets your needs. Also, in case your plans are subject to change knowing the cancellation policies can be useful as well. Opt for hotels that offer flexibility of last minute changes as it can provide peace of mind. It is best to also book in advance as peak date tariffs in Shimla can be fairly high and it can save you money by booking early and getting discounts.
While determining the absolute best hotel in Shimla can be subjective and based on individual preferences, the criteria mentioned above will help you select the hotel that can best accommodate all your preferences – be it luxury, history, modernity or serenity or a combination of the same.
Hotel Willow Banks Shimla is a great choice for a four star equivalent hotel located on the Mall Road with proximity to all popular attractions like the town hall, gaiety theatre, Jakhoo, scandal point on the Mall – adding to its appeal. The rooms are spacious, elegant, airy and comfortable offering stunning vistas of the hills. There are four in house eateries ranging from international cuisine terrace café, Indian and oriental cozy fine dine, high energy pub and brewery and also an outdoor hookah lounge to ensure couples, families and senior citizens all have enough dining options during their trip to Shimla. Be it the view of the city and hills while having lunch on the rooftop or the sparkling city skyline of Shimla or the sunset view from the window – all these breathtaking views make Hotel Willow Banks one of the best hotels in Shimla on the Mall Road. Located on the quieter side of the Mall, a creation of Arthur James Craddock (aka Architect and Builder of Shimla), the estate of Willow Banks dates back to 1871 and exudes a lovely old world charm the hotel while being fitted with all new age amenities and luxuries to make your holiday a memorable one.
So before making your reservation, consider your priorities, preferences and type of experience you wish to have in Shimla- before you opt for the choice of accommodation. By following the steps outlined above and conducting your own research you can make an informed decision that ensures a delightful stay in this enchanting hill station. The best hotel in Shimla is one that aligns with your travel style and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of Shimla. Choosing this best hotel in Shimla, suited to your needs, will be a crucial factor in making your holiday a memorable one.
