A trip to the cool climes of a hill station is the most eagerly awaited part of the summer. With the advent of the annual summer break in schools and most of the country grappling with the final phase of elections, a quick trip to the hills is on top of everyone’s mind. TripAdvisor the world’s largest travel site today revealed the Travellers’ Choice Hill Station Hotels and Lodgings 2014 for Indians to beat the heat this summer.
Interesting trends from its annual ‘Trip Barometer’ survey were also shared. The findings revealed that while 90 percent of global travellers are planning to travel domestically (up from 87 percent in 2013), Ninety-five percent of Indian travellers are planning to travel domestically (down 1% compared to 2013).
61% respondents said they always/often choose holidays to get back to nature
46% always/often try to find ‘off the beaten track’ holiday destinations where there are fewer tourists
For 48% its always/often most important to go to family-friendly holiday destinations
58% said TripAdvisor was the primary source of inspiration for their holidays/vacations
According to Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager-TripAdvisor India, “The Travellers Choice list of top hill station hotels and lodgings offers a perfect getaway for travellers looking for respite from the rising mercury levels in the country. The list this year is a great mix of best in class properties ranging from chain hotels to standalone boutique lodgings that suit the budget of one and all.”
The Shining Stars
Himachal Pradesh reigns supreme with 7 winning properties situated in the state. Wildflower Hall, Shimla has retained the first spot second time in a row with The Regent Hill Side Resort, Tamil Nadu moving up to the second spot 2 from number 7 in 2013.
India’s Top Hill Station Hotels:
1. Wildflower Hall Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
REVIEW: Rajeev from Mumbai says, “We found Wildflower Hall to be a cut above other five-star hotels we’ve ever stayed in. It was the first time I was staying at an Oberoi property, though I’d heard about their amazing service & hospitality. It lived up to every bit of its phenomenal reputation for my wife and me.
Every part of the experience, from arrival to departure was great. Painless and quick for the transactional bits, but topped off with warmth and genuine personal care in every possible instance- it was like they were trying to squeeze every last drop of happiness that was possible to extract out of every interaction.
2. The Regent Hill Side Resort, Tamil Nadu
REVIEW: Ramesh Pallissery from Chennai says,“We stayed at Regent Hill for 2 days. It was an unforgettable experience. Dr Vishu Kalliapa is an excellent host who looks after all his guests with warmth and love. His varied experience and jest for life is really invasive. This resort is historic with photos, paintings & artifacts of the past era. An excellent place worth staying. Really enjoyed our stay.”
3. Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club Thekkady, Kerala
REVIEW: Simon Smith from UK says, “Just around the corner from Abrahams Spice Garden this is set on a good sized estate. It was the most natural and beautiful country place we stayed and very good value for money. We arrived early evening and would have loved a cold glass of beer or wine but they do not serve alcohol and unusually did not offer to call out for some. The rooms are excellent and were the highest standard rooms that we stayed in on our tour other than the Taj. Open air bathrooms, a wireless router in each room. Snacks complimentary delivered before supper to the room. Set under huge jack fruit trees. Had a lovely walk up the hill with one of their guides. The spa was disappointingly closed because of technical issues and no other option was offered. The food in the restaurant was fine but some of the least good that we had throughout our 16 days. Again the staff are delightful and helpful.”
4. Orange County Resorts Kabini, Karnataka
REVIEW: Susan Robins from UK says, “This was a fantastic hotel. From our greeting at reception until the end of our 2 night stay everything was outstanding. The bungalows were beautiful, huge and very well appointed The private Jacuzzi was a bonus. Service was excellent the staff couldn’t do enough for you. Both the boat safari and jeep safari were interesting and we saw a lot of animals and birds including a leopard. The only criticism was the lack of table light at the specialty restaurant. We asked for a second lamp on our 2nd visit to tithe infinity pool was lovely with views across the river .All in all a fantastic experience.
Room Tip: there cannot be a poor room all are housed in bungalows across then resort”
5. Mahasu House, Himachal Pradesh
REVIEW: Pradipta B. from Mumbai says, “Went back to the hotel for the 2nd time and it was an amazing stay for 8 nights in this beautiful hotel well maintained in all aspects with personalized service to finger licking food from indian to conti very very personalized take time out to visit this hotel make it a point to stay at least for 3 nights will be back in sep.”
6. The Oberoi Cecil, Himachal Pradesh
7. Grand View Hotel, Himachal Pradesh
8. Atali, Uttarakhand
9. Park Residency Hotel, Himachal Pradesh
10. Snow Peak Retreat, Himachal Pradesh
11. The Fern Creek, Tamil Nadu
12. Vivanta by Taj Madikeri, Karnataka
13. Ladakh Sarai, Jammu and Kashmir
14. Chapslee, Himachal Pradesh
15. Ganga Kinare – A Riverside Boutique Hotel, Uttarakhand
Winning B&B’s/Lodging
This year Uttarkhand has left ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala behind to claim the top spot with 5 winning properties in the list of top 5 hill station lodgings.
India’s Top Hill Station Lodgings:
1. Periyar Villa Home Stay, Kerala
REVIEW: Jessica M. from New York says, “We arrived at the Periyar Villa very late in the evening, exhausted from a long day of travel, and were immediately swept into a spacious, beautiful, clean room where we could collapse and rest. The next morning, we were served a delicious homemade breakfast, and when our ride from the homestay to the Periyar Tiger Reserve fell through, our hosts were kind enough to drive us to the park, and even supplied us bottles of water for the journey. They stored our luggage, as well, while we were camping in the park, and let us hang out at their house again while we waited to depart on the next leg of our trip. We were there for only a few hours, all told, but our hosts were friendly, gracious, and helpful, and we immediately wished we’d booked a longer stay. We definitely recommend this homestay!”
2. Royal Mist, Kerala
REVIEW: Dan H. from UK says, “We stayed here for 2 nights during a 2 week self-organised trip around Kerala in Oct 13. Our kids are age 10, 8, 6 and 3. Staying here was probably our highlight of our whole time. A local strike had been called, so Anil and daughter took us for a guided walking tour of the local tea plantations and more. The place is beautiful and peaceful. The house is excellent as a homestay (the whole top floor and terrace is for guests- could have stayed here for weeks). Lovely, friendly family, but not in your face at all. Cooking was amazing. Jeeva tailored it perfectly to our children’s tastes. Thankyou for a lovely stay.”
3. Thotadhahalli Home Stay, Karnataka
REVIEW: Justin Davis from Bangalore says, “we were four families with kids and Its an awesome place for the families.
1. The rooms are very clean.
2. The rooms are well designed with traditional stuffs.
3. Food is good.
4. Place is good(Inside an estate).
5. Near by good places to see.
6. Good service.
We spent only 1 day over there. we are planning for more days. Good place to relax. There was a travel arranged in their estate at night, it was a good experience in a truck.”
4. The Shiva Blues Cafe (Disha Cottage), Himachal Pradesh
REVIEW: Rishabh from Chandigarh says, “A must visit cafe in the mountains of himachal old manali. Awesome place specially for musicians from all over the world. its located in the village but dis place has a lot of peace n solitude. no disturbing sounds n a very good crowd of innocent people all around you. Loved it. the owners are awesome n they ll make u feel like home . With snow caped mountains dis is the best time to come if you only want to feel the nature around here. We happened to have a random jam session n it was ultimate music trip i ever had. Composed a few melodies n tunes while staying here. an awesome place to stay n spend time with your friends.”
5. Mystic Mukteshwar Lodge, Uttarakhand
REVIEW: Arjun Mitra from New Delhi says, “A home away from home- a perfect adage for the Mystic Mukteshwar Lodge!!! A lovely getaway to the Himalayas – perfect settings within an exotic flower garden, overlooking a splendid view of the majestic mountains, simply awesome!!
Mrs Manju Sharma and Vivek extend their welcome with large hearts and love. One belongs the moment you enter the retreat. The food is homely, spiced up with a large collection of homemade pickles and jams! I lost my battle to weight management, promising to live to eat at that moment but doubling the walks through the surrounding oak forests! Bliss!!”
I will and want more!! See you soon Mrs Sharma!!”
6. Upadhyay Cottages, Himachal Pradesh
7. Soulitude by the Riverside, Uttarakhand
8. Camp Aqua Forest Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
9. La Villa Bethany, Uttarakhand
10. Kaav Safari Lodge – Kabini, Karnataka
11. Tree Hill Cottages, Himachal Pradesh
12. Two Chimneys, Uttarakhand
13. The Oasis Guest House, Jammu and Kashmir
14. Hospitality Home, Jammu and Kashmir
15. Pepper County Home Stay, Kerala
Other Travel Trends
Despite a gloomy economic outlook – only 14% Indian respondents report spending more on travel because they feel more confident about the economy, travellers are not willing to give up their holidays.
Nearly seven out of ten Indians surveyed are planning to travel abroad in 2014, up 21 percent compared to last year.
New Zealand is the ‘dream’ destination for Indians to visit in the next 12 to 24 months, followed by France and Switzerland.
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