The first outsiders to establish the city of Shimla were the British, when they made it their summer capital. It was a perfect choice because of its beauty and climate. It has developed into one of the leading holiday destinations in India, catering to all budgets, tastes and ages.
The city boasts of a variety of hotels ranging from home-stays and bed & breakfasts to premier five star establishments. Places like the Aapo Aap Home Stay, the Apple Blossom, Marigold cottages and the Royal Himalayan Club are all quiet home-stays that are away from the hustle of the main market areas but provide excellent facilities and connectivity. Make sure to check if they serve non-vegetarian food if that is your preference because not all places do. These kind of places appeal to people looking for a quiet, yet comfortable vacation. Highly recommended for honeymooners and families.
There are some great mid-range Shimla hotels to be found. Places like the Krish Rauni Resort, Kapil Hotel, Sunrise Villa and the Honeymoon Inn are great value for money because they provide resort type amenities at affordable prices. Some other institutions that fall into this category include Himland West, Le Royale, Fairmount and the state run Holiday Home. They tend to have some additional facilities compared to B&Bs such as 24-hour service, bars and such. They also tend to be closer to the main town areas, such as Mall road. Make sure to check for deals that come up now and then, based on the season and your time of stay. Prices in these places will vary from 2000 to 4000 per night depending on the season.
Many high-end options dot the landscape, with locations that are truly beautiful. Since Shimla is all about the views, the situation of the establishment is very important and valuable. The Oberoi Cecil, Whistling Pines, Radisson, Clarkes and Willow Banks have all received excellent reviews from visitors. These sorts of places are usually away from the city, but because they provide you with almost anything you can ask for, it is very convenient. Facilities like spas, buffets, open and indoor pools, taxi servies, terrace bars and restaurants make sure that you extract the maximum enjoyment from this breath-taking landscape. The East Bourne Resort and Spa, the Toshali River View and the Combermere are some other examples of fine stays in this city.
While here, you can soak in the various activities on offer throughout the town, such as horse riding, skiing, paragliding and such, it is also the starting point for many treks and expeditions. It also has unique flora and fauna due to its weather, the Shimla apple, which is smaller in size and sweeter than the regular variety, is famous all over India. Mall road is the main centre, with great shopping ranging from brands to handicrafts and very popular eating joints.
