Hotel Willow Banks
4 StarsShimla Brewing Company with hammocks, Café Simla Times with live music
Shimla Brewing Company with hammocks, Café Simla Times with live music
Heritage property with mountain views, Kennedy House multi-cuisine restaurant
Heated rooms with valley views, Mountain village retreat
Valley view rooms, Multi-cuisine dining options
House of Glass rooftop restaurant, Indoor swimming pool
Chaura Maidan hillside location, Indoor heated swimming pool
Himalayan mountain views, Heated indoor swimming pool
Mashobra valley location, Outdoor swimming pool
On-site dining, Rooms with private balconies
The Leaf multi-cuisine restaurant, The Metta Spa wellness treatments
Himalayan mountain views, Multi-tiered outdoor swimming pool
Rooftop bonfire experience, The Prospect restaurant
Mountain view accommodations, Expansive garden area
Himalayan hillside location, Heated indoor and outdoor pools
Secluded hillside woodland retreat, Heated indoor swimming pool
Relaxing sauna and steam room, Himalayan cedar-nestled retreat
Peaceful Mashobra Hills location, Heated indoor swimming pool
Himalayan mountain views, Peaceful Bharari Road location
Terrace with scenic city views, Family-sized accommodations
Himalayan hillside setting, Imperial Suite with Jacuzzi
Mountain view rooms, Proximity to Shri Ram Temple
Rooms with peaceful valley views, Indoor swimming pool
Mountain-view private rooms, Pure vegetarian in-house cafe
Panoramic mountain views, Authentic regional dining
Scenic views from upper floors, In-house multi-cuisine restaurant Lazeez
Rooftop swimming pool with mountain views, Dedicated full-service spa
Sky Lounge with panoramic views, Shimla Zero One restaurant
Mountain view rooms, Multi-cuisine restaurant
Dedicated vegetarian restaurant, Terrace with scenic views
Panoramic valley and city views, Well-equipped fitness center
Himalayan winter sports access, Scenic Chail Valley location
Scenic hilltop location, On-site multi-cuisine restaurant
Panoramic deodar woods and valley views, Multi-cuisine restaurant with valley views
Panoramic city and mountain views, Traditional Punjabi and multi-cuisine dining
The prices and availability we receive from booking sites change constantly. This means you may not always find the exact same offer you saw on trivago when you land on the booking site.
One part summertime retreat, one part winter wonderland, the city of Shimla is one of the most popular destinations in all of northern India. For more than two centuries visitors have sought out this hot spot, looking to take advantage of the mountain-fresh air and beautiful vistas on display. Today, the so-called Queen of Hill Stations offers a vibrant city centre, delightful natural settings and some of the region’s most distinctive landmarks, not to mention year-round activities and amenities.
Once a small hill station, Shimla – sometimes referred to as Simla – rose in prominence during the days of the British Raj. During the summer months, British officials would migrate to the settlement to take advantage of the more manageable temperatures. This rise in popularity continued even after the Indian independence, and today the once-small hill station is a thriving city.
The prosperity of the city can best be seen at The Ridge. Considered the heart of the city, The Ridge is a constant buzz of activities, with locals and tourists alike coming and going. The Ridge itself is a wide plateau set atop one of the seven hills that form Shimla. The plateau looks out upon Himalayan mountains and valleys, offering truly unexpected views right in the middle of the city.
A number of noteworthy features can be found upon The Ridge. Dating back to 1857, Christ Church is one of the region’s oldest churches. It features stained glass windows and a fresco completed by Rudyard Kipling’s father. Kipling himself once trod the boards of Gaiety Theatre, also located along The Ridge, and a fashionable stopping point for visitors. Meanwhile, the Tudor Library – next door to Christ Church – is also popular with holidaymakers.
The Ridge forms part of The Mall, or Mall Road, Shimla’s main commercial sector. This pedestrianised section of the city is home to an abundance of shops, market stalls, restaurants, and hotels. In fact, The Mall is widely considered to be the best place to find a hotel. Furthermore, you’ll also discover a cinema, discotheque, and tourist information centre along the route.
Bartering is whole-heartedly recommended in the city, so snapping up a bargain when you’re souvenir hunting is a distinct possibility. If you’re looking to grab a bite to eat, you’ll not run out of choices here. From small, local restaurants to global chains, there’s plenty on offer.
A number of notable buildings can also be found along The Mall too, including Bantony Castle, once home to the Maharajah, and Gorton Castle, with its distinctive red roof. Each of these Victorian-style mansions recalls the British influence held over the region at the turn of the twentieth century. The former may be in a state of disrepair but it’s still possible to imagine its early grandness.
Perhaps the most impressive building in all of Shimla is the Viceregal Lodge, or Indian Institute of Advanced Studies as it is known today. Situated on Observatory Hill, this magnificent structure dates back to 1884, when it was built to house the British Viceroy of India. Unfortunately, only part of the building is open to the public, but the building’s exterior and gardens make it worth a visit.
At the peak of Jakhoo Hill – the highest point in the city – stands the Jakhoo Temple. First-time visitors are sure to want to visit this historic temple, which is dedicated to the monkey god, Hanuman. A statue of the god that stands outside the temple can be seen from various vantage points around the city, whilst hundreds of monkeys skulk around the temple, begging food from tourists.
Shimla’s city centre can be quite hectic at times. If you need to get away from the hustle and bustle, you’ll find several suitable destinations within a short distance of the city centre. Naldehra and Shaily Peak is a good destination for hikers and horse riders. Here you’ll find forests and walking trails, with some stunning scenery mixed in. You can even take in a round of golf while you’re here.
Chadwick Falls is another excellent destination for those willing to endure a one-hour or so hike. This stunning waterfall is surrounded by lush forestland and comes complete with plenty of fresh air. If hiking’s not your thing, Summer Hill in the city offers some great views of the city and valleys, while Annandale – a former racetrack – offers picturesque parks and a mini golf course.
Whilst the British may have only sought out Shimla during the summer months, the city has emerged as a popular wintertime destination. You might not think of India as being a place of snow-capped mountains and ski resorts, but set in the foothills of the Himalayas, Shimla offers exactly that.
Winter visitors often arrive to a city blanketed in snow. Those that have only previously visited during the summer are often bedazzled by the change in appearance. In fact, even the train ride from Kalka to Shimla – a journey that’s well worth making at any time of the year – seems to have a more romantic feel to it as you pass snowy landscapes.
Located 12 miles east of Shimla, the hill station of Kufri is the top local destination in the winter. While summertime visitors enjoy its amusement park and zoo, the settlement is even more popular with skiers, snowboarders and ice skaters during the winter, thanks to the nearby hills covered with a deep coating of snow. A number of hotels can be found nearby, while commuting from Shimla is generally doable.
In Shimla, you might want to check out Regenta Resort & Spa Mashobra, Royale Retreat Hotel & Spa Near Mall Road, Hotel Chaman Palace, Hotel Willow Banks. These hotels come highly recommended by many travellers.
For a taste of luxury in Shimla, you might want to explore Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Tavleen, Chail, The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla, Wildflower Hall, An Oberoi Resort, Shimla, Storii By Itc Hotels Narindera Orchards Kufri. These hotels are known for their superior amenities and high-class services.
If you're visiting Shimla with your family, you could look at Regenta Resort & Spa Mashobra, Royale Retreat Hotel & Spa Near Mall Road, Hotel Chaman Palace, Hotel Willow Banks. These hotels offer a variety of family-friendly services and activities.
Travelling with pets? The hotels Royale Retreat Hotel & Spa Near Mall Road, Marigold Sarovar Portico Shimla, Sterling Kufri, Aachman Nature Valley Resort could be ideal. These hotels are not only pet-friendly but also offer numerous amenities to make your pets feel at home.
If you’re looking for a relaxing spa experience during your stay in Shimla, check out Regenta Resort & Spa Mashobra, Royale Retreat Hotel & Spa Near Mall Road, Hotel Willow Banks, Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Tavleen, Chail – all of which offer great spa services and facilities.
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