Premium rooms, 32 Sq. meters in size, rise to the occasion with their inside – outside approach to views and king-sized beds. The balcony brings in sweeping views of the valleys and hill-scape that surround the resort and its edge of the ridge perch. Sit out at the balcony for pine fresh mornings and dreamy sunsets. The attention to provincial detail is brought out through delicate woodwork, hand-tooled stone-works, earthy rugs and furnishings from the House of Abraham & Thakore. The dhurries and alpine furniture made of cedar wood round up the quintessential “luxurious home in the hills” feel. Lest you feel any less cosy during the winter months, the thermally adept rooms keep it warm and snug.

Premium rooms, 32 Sq. meters in size, rise to the occasion with their inside – outside approach to views and king-sized beds. The balcony brings in sweeping views of the valleys and hill-scape that surround the resort and its edge of the ridge perch. Sit out at the balcony for pine fresh mornings and dreamy sunsets. The attention to provincial detail is brought out through delicate woodwork, hand-tooled stone-works, earthy rugs and furnishings from the House of Abraham & Thakore. The dhurries and alpine furniture made of cedar wood round up the quintessential “luxurious home in the hills” feel. Lest you feel any less cosy during the winter months, the thermally adept rooms keep it warm and snug.

The deluxe rooms are geared to make you feel right at home. 32 sq meters in size, with choices of king-sized beds and twin beds, they are kitted with a balcony that makes for a great sit out. The rooms are a labour of love with handcrafted woodwork, detailed stone work, traditional rugs and commissioned furnishings from the House of Abraham & Thakore. Woollen dhurries on the slate and wooden floors and alpine furniture made of cedar wood round up the quintessential feel of a “luxurious home in the hills”. Lest you feel any less cosy during the winter months, the thermally adept rooms keep it warm and snug.

Hill perches and indulgent service often coax longer stays, that deserve more capacious accommodation. And they come in the form of the two Junior suites – Kangra and Basholi. 53 Sq meters in size, they come with interconnecting options with rooms that suffice for an option of a family unit should more be the merrier. Great for vacations with friends and family. With a plush sofa, breakfast table, dressing area and a four-poster bed that keeps it spacious inside, the large balcony with a lounger extends the generosity outside. The provincial inspiration is evidenced in the handcrafted woodwork, hand-tooled stone works, earthy rugs and furnishings from the House of Abraham & Thakore. With dhurries and alpine furniture made of cedarwood, the suites cajole you for that extra hour in bed making for a quintessential “luxurious home in the hills” feel. Lest you feel any less cosy during the winter months, the thermally adept rooms keep it warm and snug.

Did it move?! Well had it been on levelled ground and on wheels, one would be excused for mistaking this to be a vintage railway saloon car. An imaginative tribute to the classic narrow-gauge toy train that since 1903, even to this day, chugs from Kalka to Shimla, through dramatic views of the hills and charming hamlets. A 96 Kms journey through 102 tunnels, today this route is a UNESCO World heritage site.

Nippy climes call for steaming hot oriental pots, fulsome dim-sums, hand rolled noodles, delicate meats and the subtle flavours of the East. All of which find a stately residence at Peony the oriental restaurant, which takes after the eponymous flower. The Peony in Chinese philosophy is the flower of prosperity and honour, with no less than Confucius himself, quoted as saying, “I eat nothing without its sauce.” With celebration menus, classics from Beijing and the Sichuan province and an enviable range of wines and spirits, Peony with its dramatic ceramic wall cladding, dark oak flooring, amber glass lamps and delicately embroidered sheer curtains, is great for a cosy two-some or a warm family huddle.

Holding centre-court amongst the dining experiences, is Tragopan, the All-Day Diner. Inspired by the western Tragopan, the rarest of all living pheasants, called Jujurana or the “King of Birds” in the Kullu district, the restaurant serves an enviable selection of Pahari Cuisine, known for its robust spices and flavours aside from mainstream classics for the global palette and a range of comfort food. As bright and feather worthy as the state bird. Remember to round off the meal with the Cinnamon Apple Strudel, that does ample justice, or should we say apple justice.