Woodland hotel Shimla

paanwallah

Could anybody advise on directions to the Woodland hotel from the bus stand. I know that the hotel is not far from the Mall but as I will arrive in the late evening from Delhi, some directions would be helpful.

kullukid

It's one hell of a climb from the bus stand to woodlands, it's way past the church then up again. If you don't want to be hassled by the porters who will follow you all the way from the bus up up up to the mall then try the easier alternative of taking a cab from the bus stand to the LIFT this brings you out about 3 quarters of the way up, but it's still a good 10 min up hill walk from there. Why do you want to stay at Woodlands? The YMCA is very good for around Rs300. KK

indracal

Is YMCA Shimla good for family stay as well? I plan to visit in Nov-end/early-Dec with my wife and <2 yr old kid.

I could not look up any website for YMCA Shimla, but have their tel#. Before I call them, just wanted to know from KK about it.

Would they have running hot water?
Room heater (would we need - I have the kid )?
Food options? At least the option to boild water / sterilize feeding bottles for the kid?

Any other decent budget/economy option around the mall? Hear about Hotel Sangeet and Samrat, any experience, anybody?

Many thanks in advance!

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paanwallah

Thank you Kullukid,

I have stayed there a couple of years ago and found it good. However I don't exactly remember the location and in the darkness anyway. I will try to get a cab to the lift. Do you know which cabs are available? We are 3 persons + luggage, thus a rikshaw will not make it.

kullukid

You should be able to take a cab from around the bus stand, if not if you walk back as though heading out of Shimla between 500-1000 mtrs there is the taxi office. If I remember rightly to get to Woodlands get to the church & walk down the right hand side past the cinema, eventually you come to hotel deogarh??? & woodlands is up some steps behind it. KK

kullukid

[quote=indracal;794757] Before I call them, just wanted to know from KK about it.

Would they have running hot water?
Room heater (would we need - I have the kid )?
Food options? At least the option to boild water / sterilize feeding bottles for the kid?

QUOTE]

From memory I tthink the rooms I've had there had hot water geezers, if you have the tel No why not call them & ask???

abhi25

Hi All,

I am planning to go to Shimla with my wife in the second week of November 2009. I am looking at YMCA as an option for accommodation. Is it a good option for family stay?

Also, I called up the YMCA office for inquiry. For a double bed room with attached bath, they quoted Rs 850 per day (including breakfast). Just wanted to check if the tariff quoted is reasonable. I feel the rate quoted is higher than what I have read in other posts.

Thanks!
Regards,
abhi

delhiwala

YMCA is a nice place, it's very clean and well kept. They are very organised and do not overcharge. The charges seem appropriate to me...

The location is unbeatable, just behind the church on ridge....

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abhi25

Delhiwala, thanks a ton!

Bhaswaran

How to book YMCA?

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abhi25

You can call them on 0177-2650021 or write to them at ymcashimla@yahoo.co.in for information on how to book.

kullukid

I seem to remember only paying around Rs300 a couple of years ago, they have lot's of rooms is probably safe to just turn up without booking & you'll hopefully get a better rate. KK

abhi25

It seems I took a day too long to decide and now I am being told that YMCA is full from November 12 to November 15.

I am thinking about booking hotel Dreamland. Any idea about how this hotel is? Also, are there any other good clean hotels closer to the mall for a budget of 800 to 1000?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
abhi

Bhaswaran

Thanks for this piece Kullukid....I will be landing in Shimla in Jan 24 and leaving Jan 26 for Manali. I will try this. Shall I get a coolie after alighting at the railway station? How far uphill? How much can the coolie take?

kullukid

It's a steep steep climb up up up from the station & you will be hassled to death by coolies wanting to take you to various hotels.
The easiest option when arriving Shimla is to walk up onto the road from the station & you will see the small official taxi office on the other side, take a cab from here to the lift, the lift brings you out about 3/4 of the way up on the Mall & it's easy to walk to YMCA from here, keep going up the mall until you come to Park View cafe up some steps to your right, go up steps to church then take the path to right of church & path to left that leads to Cinema YMCA is further up this path.Take a look at the seperate cottages they have available for a reasonable rate. When in Manali check out my fave Sunshine Guesthouse. KK