Shimla – Part 3

Hi. Ok This will be very brief (yet informative..dont worry!). Listing a few hotels available within main Shimla itself which are excellent choices if you are not in a position to live at the outskirts.

All reveiws are based on actual interaction with the property with respect to all its areas of function.

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Woodville Palace

If you are here then you are about 10 minutes WALKING distance from the mall. Right in the centre of town and you have access to most tourist spots. The exact network of roads which run around this property also house the Chief Minister’s Official residence and are sealed roads i.e only cars with special permission are allowed to ply , hence walking is unrestricted and not inconvenient.

Originally a British Raj Palace it is now , if i remember correctly, with the heritage group of Hotels , an established chain in India. Slightly on the expensive side but an experience in itself. Close to 28 rooms with all modern facilities and amenities. The grounds are on the smaller side but beautiful and green nevertheless. Tennis and Badminton courts.

On the other side i.e opp the direction to the Mall is an area called Chotta Shimla. It is essentially a small market offering lots of small places to eat and shops catering to daily needs. Its a sharp walk downhill , and where the market finishes the residential area begins with a colony called Brokhurst which houses Bungalows set between thick greenery and massive deodar trees. Well worth the walk which will be about 40 minutes , round trip.

Shimla – Part 2

For those who have reached this directly please look at my earlier post titled Shimla – PArt 1 to get clarity on what i am writing about. For those who are coming from that post read on..! All reviews are based on personal interaction with the property and its various aspects.

The following are resorts which are found on the other side of Shimla i.e driving stright through the town towards Mashobra and Kufri.

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Chalets Naldehra

 If you are reading this then you have just discovered one of the best properties in Shimla and its surrounding regions. A relatively recent property it is located at a 45 minute drive from the main town. Post crossing the village of Sanjauli , the drive carries on through a back-road taking you right into the heart of the reserve forests , past the Naldehra Golf Course and onto the Chalets.

This place scores high on everything , the architechture, accommodation , food , staff , location , facilites and activities . The resort comprises of cottages , apartments and Suites spread over an acre of pristine forest land. The resort offers facilities such as a Billiards table, swimming pool, Spa and jacuzi , Bar and a children activity centre. Host of activities and games available including but not limited to – Bonfires, Barbeques, Cultural evenings, cards, croquet , a putting green and many more.

There are numerous walks and treks available. This side in General is very low with respect to polulation density and the fact that it is reserve forest land makes it absolutely breath taking.  Is close to the Catchment area which is accessibly by advance permisson from the government and Kufri , another hot tourist destination- but if you dont enjoy the smell of horses and rubbing shoulders with tons of people skip it.

Shimla – Part 1

I consider myself lucky to have been born and brought up for a large duration of my life in Shimla. For most, a frequented holiday spot, a sought after tourist destination , a place to get away from it all , for me home. All my reviews are based on personal interaction with the property and its various aspects.

There is a fair amount of criticism on Shimla now. Overcrowding , traffic is a mess , too much development and other typical tourist problems which crop up such as lack of accommodation at times , over charging  etc etc. But despite this it still remains as tempting as it ever was.

Most people, when they think of the place, tend to think of the Mall , roughly about a . 6 km walk on a slight incline with shops bustling on one side. Off roads from the mall are the ridge (excellent views) , lower Bazaar (the less fancy day to day item shops , wholesalers) and the tibetian bazaar ( on the ridge).  As a result anyone and everyone who stops in Shimla finds him or herself and take about a 100,000 such people with families and cars and the overcrowding problem “why” is solved.

While the Mall is a must see the actual beauty of the place has always been towards the outskirts. Most superficial tourists are content with the Mall and the bars and few photos with the monkeys and holding hands and thats it , but many a times have i had to console a genuine traveller on the “charm” factor.