Nice hotel in Dharamsala?

NonIndianResident

Myself, I'm happy in the cheap hotels, but my sister and her family are planning a visit, and her husband is a bit picky, so I need to find someplace a bit cleaner, more reliable, reservable, etc, than the usual dive. I expect to spend more than Rs 500 per night... Garden and Tibetan atmosphere and decor would be nice.

I don't know where to begin looking, and would prefer recommendations.

SHIMLA

Hotel Dhauladhar and Hotel Kashmir House are two I will recommend.

If you recall, some time back I had posted information about discounts offered by HPTDC units at some places; on this forum. This is where it will be useful to you.

Do check out that thread (HPTDC Hotel Discounts) and if the above mentioned hotels are included in the discount list, then it'll be great !

__________________
Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

NonIndianResident

Oops, I guess I meant McLeod Ganj, not Dharamsala proper. Any recommendations for up there?

SHIMLA

Hotel Bhagsu. DBRs from Rs. 800/- onwards, 40% discount on room tariff till April 15.

You can opt for the deluxe DBR with regular tariff Rs. 1100/-, With discount it reduces to Rs.660/-, plus luxury tax at 10% ON ORIGINAL TARIFF makes it nett Rs.770/- per day.

Not bad at all !

rickshawwallah

For a "Garden and Tibetan atmosphere and decor", you might not find anyplace better in India than Norling guesthouse, part of the Norbulingka Institute just outside Lower Dharamsala. It's a fabulous place, although a bit pricey if you're accustomed to the "cheap hotels". Expect to pay around Rs. 1300 for a room including taxes. contact normail@norbulingka.org

Closer to the action in McLeod Ganj, Chonor House, also run by the Norbulingka Institute, is very similar to Norling, although the grounds are not nearly as extensive (so there is much less garden). It's more convenient location means it's more expensive. Doubles are Rs. 2000 and up, again including tax. contact chonorhs@norbulingka.org

In the Rs. 600-700 range, Pema Thang guest house is a charming place next door to Chonor House. Booking ahead may be a problem, though, as I only have phone and fax numbers, which I'm not sure are current. Here they are, though: 01892 21612 (phone) 01892 21211 (fax).

All the hotels I mention have very good restaurants as well.

As much as I generally respect Shimla's opinions, I have to say that I have always found the HPTDC lodgings in the Dharamsala area to be musty, decaying old hulks. Don't take my word for it, though. You can see for yourself, as HPTDC's Hotel Bhagsu, Chonor House, and Pema Thang are all right next to one another.

SHIMLA

rickshawwallah,

You won't find a better hotel than Hotel Dhauladhar in the D'sala/Mcleod area.

If you refer to Dhauladhar and Kashmir House as "decaying old hulks", then I really do not know what to say !

rickshawwallah

Shimla,

mea culpa.

Two mistakes on my part: first, I have never actually been inside the Dhauladhar, but it didn't impress me from the outside, and it takes a really special place to get me to consider staying all the way down in lower Dharamsala. Norling is a really special place.

second, I was confusing Kashmir House with Hotel Him Queen, because of the Kashmiri managers of Him Queen. I'll never forget my experience there (although I obviously forgot the name) because of the very entertaining evening I spent with the managers. They were trying desperately to convince me that their establishment was not a "smelly place", although they freely admitted that it smelled like a "smelly place".

My view of HPTDC hotels in the area is based primarily on my experience with Hotel Bhagsu: I found it to be a musty, decaying old hulk, and it smelled like a smelly place, too, although maybe it isn't really.

indiamike

I am guessing you weren't lucky enough to have one of the brothers give you a massage


Pema Thang's current number is 01892-221871
Email pemathanghouse@yahoo.com and pemathanghouse@rediffmail.com

Prices are available on the website http://www.pemathang.com

Both Pema Thang and Hotel Bhagsu have a good view and Hotel Bhagsu has a nice outdoor area. I agree on the musty part but then again some of the other places are the same.

Hotel Tibet right by the bus stand is also a good choice-
Phone 01892-22146 / 221587 / Fax 01892-221425

Email htdshala@sancharnet.in

There is no garden but rooms are good and the resturant still serves the best french fries in all of India and the small dingy bar is a good place to share stories as the day unwinds.

They also accept visa/mastercard/bob

Rates go from rs500 to rs900


Keep in mind that some of the above mentioned hotels will fill up quickly with tour groups and it's really a good idea to book ahead and tell them how many days you are staying or else they may kick you out in favor of a tour group who booked rooms months in advance.


Pros and cons-

Hotel Tibet is right in the thick of things (by the bus stand) and is an easy base to start from.

Pema Thang and Hotel Bhagsu are up the hill about a five minute walk from the bus stand. Walking back up the hill late at night can be a drag but it's an open area and not very noisy.

Mike