Nestled in the Kumaon hills, Nainital is a lovely getaway destination to escape the chaos of everyday life, or the scorching heat of the plains. The three lakes in the small hill town keep the climate pleasant, all year round. Though it has grown to possess all the amenities of a big city, Nainital still retains its old world charm. Whether it is visiting Tiffin Top for a lovely picnic, collecting beautiful candles from Nainital’s famous candle shops as gifts and souvenirs while strolling through the town, or going to enjoy a steaming plate of delicious chicken dumplings in Tibetan Market, Nainital has something for everyone. That is what makes it great for family holidays, short getaways with friends, or even a solo trip.
If you’re planning to visit soon, here’s a list of great accommodation options-
BEST LUXURY HOTELS
#1. The Manu Maharani
Location: Grassmere Estate, Opposite High Court, Mallital, Nainital- 263001
Price: 7,588-16,640INR/night
Great views, a delicious breakfast buffet, and a lovely estate make this four-star a must visit for any travellers wanting to spend a luxurious weekend, away from the stresses of quotidian life.
Though the estate is so peaceful, it is only a short walk away from the heart of Nainital. A special children’s area keeps younger guests busy, when they are not out and about.
In fact, this well-equipped hotel even has a space for busy working people- it has a business centre, and conference facilities for those guests who are looking to mingle travel and work. The rooms are spacious and artfully decorated. A restaurant on the premises keeps the foodies happy, too! Head over for a fruitful business trip, or a quick getaway soon.
#2. The Naini Retreat
Location: Ayarpatta Slopes, Mallital, Nainital- 263001
Price: 4,889-16,126INR/night
The Naini Retreat will take you back to an era long gone, with its endearing British architecture- from the ivy-covered portico to the old-world windows. The hotel will even make you feel like royalty, with their complimentary pick-up and drop facility, from the Mall Road, and will welcome you to the hotel with a welcome drink, and a cookie jar for you to enjoy! An absolutely charming estate, it is dripping with the magic of the past.
You can find a cosy nook and curl up with your favourite book, and get lost in a fantasy world. Or, you could treat yourself to a scrumptious meal at the old-timey restaurant.
For those of you who need to stay connected to the outside world, for those great Instagram posts or pesky work e-mails, they’ll provide you with great WiFi all over.
But for those of you looking to really leave the world behind for a few days, enjoy at their in-house spa, praised by all who visit it. Hurry, book a room today!
#3. Shervani Hilltop
Location: Mallital Hilltop, Nainital- 263001
Price: 6,975 -14,978INR/night
Just a couple of kilometers away from the Mall Road, the heart of Nainital, Shervani Hilltop is the ideal escape for busy people, looking for a quick getaway.
The resort is spread out over three acres and will give you enough room to laze about, relax, and rejuvenate mind, body, and soul.
The log cabins and cottages ooze warmth and welcome weary travellers, and the in-house restaurant nourishes the soul with its great food.
Everyone in the hotel, from the manager to the housekeeping staff, is friendly and helpful. The only problem is that Shervani Hilltop does not have WiFi connectivity. But then again, when you are in such a beautiful place, who even needs WiFi?
#4. Vikram Vintage Inn
Location: Main Mallital, Naintal- 263001
Price: 5,360-11,233INR/night
Live music in an outdoor setting, as you dine with the view of the sun setting behind the hills…that’s what this inn offers. It also offers you banquet and conference facilities, if you plan to organize a quiet event in the peace and serenity of the hills. Mall Road is walking distance.
But, you may not even want to leave as you can enjoy the gym facilities, or laze around in your room, with the room service being as good as it is. Kids will love the play area nestled in the lush greenery of the property. Come here with your family for a stay that lets everyone enjoy.
#5. Jilling Terraces
Location: Bhatelia –Dhanachuli-Bhimtal Road, Near Padampuri Village, Nainital- 263136,
Price: 10,866-22,970INR/night
Nestled in about 100 acres of virgin forest, Jilling Terraces is a 80 year old house in the South Gola range of Himalayas. From here, you can enjoy exquisite views of Nanda Devi and other surrounding peaks on clear days.
In the resort’s Chestnut House section, built in 1932 by a Sanskrit scholar for his Polish wife, a warm homestay, you might even get to see an elusive leopard.
The décor of the place is fun, and welcoming. You can enjoy the suites in big groups, staying up chatting till the sun comes up! You can head here with your entire family, including your best friends- your furry companions for a magical getaway.
#6. Classic the Mall
Location: Nainital Mall Road, Nainital-263001
Price: 5,213-8,297INR/night
Feel the pulse of Nainital and enjoy your stay at the magnificent Classic. Wake up to splendid views of the Naini Lake, and saunter down into the town with ease.
The staff is courteous, and the food good. Rooms are airy and well equipped, and the hotel tries its best to be disabled-friendly. If you plan on driving down, it even provides a comfortable driver’s room. For an economical three-star, this is the best pick.
#7. Somerset Lodge
Location: Gahana Orchards, Gahana Village, Mukhteshwar, Nainital- 263001
Prices: 14,831-33,333INR/night
Somerset Lodge is an unspoiled property, great for getaways. The staff and the proprietor work very hard to ensure that it feels like a home away from home. The 100-year old heritage property is immaculately maintained, bursting with rustic charm. The food is something you’ll need to eat to believe.
Away from Nanital-proper, it really allows one to escape from the pressure of daily life. Lose yourself in the lush greenery of the place, and laze around the property. Spend your days sunning yourself, and your nights chatting around bonfires under a starlit sky. Travel here with a big group of your loved ones.
Check Also: 25 Best Hotels in Rishikesh That Offer A Peaceful Stay
#8. Ek Chidiya Cottage
Location: Nathuakhan Village, Naintital- 263158
Prices: 13,436-16,667INR/night
This divine cottage stay offers you the opportunity to go on numerous treks around into the hills, and come back with the loveliest souvenirs- wildflowers, dry leaves, and peculiarly shaped pebbles.
The buffet meals are not only delectable, but also largely prepared from homegrown organic produce, sourced from the property itself.
Quick picnics to the river stream nearby, day-trips to Mukteshwar, Nainital, Almora and Jageshwar, and village orchard walks are sure to fill your days with joy. An exquisite getaway for the entire family- from parents to pets with the provision of airport transportation- be sure to visit.
#9. Garden Valley Resort
Location: Ranikhet Road, Nighlaat Village, Nainital- 263132
Price: 16,373-24,229INR/night
Spread over 8 acres of verdant landscaped gardens, Garden Valley Resort offers to its guests a wide range of cuisines from French, and Italian, Mexican, to Arabic, and the Mediterranean. A well-maintained homestay, it is cozy and will really let you find your connection with nature, forcing you to cut your connection with WiFi.
The stream nearby is a nice spot for dreamy meals by the water, and makes for an invigorating walk, just right to work up an appetite for all the delicacies cooked by the chef-cum-owner.
Another pet-friendly resort, this one too is a getaway for the whole family, for its quaint feel, and unspoiled beauty. Pack your bags today!
#10. Corbett Sunrise Resort
Location: Gangapur Chhoi, Ramnagar, Nainital- 244715
Price: 13,069INR/night
The property is breath-taking. Its azure pool is inviting, but meals by the pool are even dreamier than a quick swim! Surrounded by forests on all sides, this retreat is magical, and the rooftop restaurant is a must-try.
Rooms are spacious and clean, and the room service is prompt, with a courteous staff. Though it is a little disconnected from the heart of Nainital, the efficient shuttle service is an easy solution to the problem.
Big groups should head here to enjoy the forest, the food, and the hours of fun in the pool. Lose yourself for a quick weekend!
#11. Ann’s Cottage by Stellar
Location: Near Bus Station, Nainital- 263001
Price: 10,573- 14,831INR/night
This lake-facing property is a treat for the eyes. Watch the other end of the lake light up, as you enjoy a nice coffee in your clean, cosy room! Or, enjoy a finger-licking continental, or Chinese preparation at the in-house eatery. Though near the mall, it is far away from the hustle bustle of main Mall Road.
A warm hospitality and elegant welcome is another reason to pick this place. If you can’t get away from replying to work e-mails, worry not- the great high speed WiFi will come to your rescue. Choose Ann’s for a quick quiet retreat.
#12. Meadows Adventure Retreat
Location: Kaladhungi Highway, Nainital- 263001
Price: 8,811- 18,209INR/night
Get picked up and dropped to the Dehradun airport, before and after this fun holiday!
Located at about 5000 feet above seal level, Aspen Camp is ideal for camping. Break away from the boring routine of your everyday running around. Enjoy falling in love with the unspoiled verdant beauty around you.
Go here with friends for an excursion, or with your family for a quiet holiday. And guess what, you can bring your pets too! The property has 17 fully equipped cottages you can enjoy for as long as you decide to enjoy the property.
You can immerse yourself in the beauty of your surroundings, and then take the shuttle service into town for some retail therapy, if you want.
#13. The Hermitage Kailash
Location: Gethia district, Nainital- 263001
Prices: 23,935-36,123INR/night
Yes, the prices are a bit steep, but a stay at The Hermitage really is worth your money. The location of the villa makes it a special staying option. Surrounded by pine and silver-oak forests, it is nestled in the beauty and serenity of the hills.
The best time to visit is in the winter, when the retreat provides cozy warmth in its wooden villas, that have fireplaces, barbeque provisions. The property even makes provisions to enjoy bonfires.
Corbett National Park, Ranikhet, and Almorah are all close by- about fifty odd kilometers away. Come in the spring time to bird-watch, and watch the hillside erupt into blooms.
BEST BUDGET HOTELS
#14. The Earl’s Court
Location: Sukhatal, Near High Court, Mallital, opposite Balika Vidhya Mandir, Nainital- 263001
Price: 4,472- 11,674INR/night
Delicious food, friendly staff, and a good location make Earl’s Court an ideal retreat option. The architecture is enchanting, and the interiors are welcoming and warm. The outdoor seating arrangements scattered across the property are just right to laze about in. The in-house restaurant provides guests with all the food they’d want to feed their tired souls. Right above the lake, the hotel rooms will allow you to enjoy picturesque views of the lake. The convenience of the complimentary pickup and drop service is yet another benefit of staying here. Book this one for a cozy stay, in a lovely estate.
#15. Seasons Hotel and Resort
Location: CRST Road, Behind Mallital Rickshaw Stand, The Mall, Nainital- 263001
Price: 4,846- 9,912INR/night
Only a short stroll away from the Mall, Seasons Hotel is a beautiful property surrounded by trees. This kid-friendly establishment makes sure that younger guests enjoy their stay too. The rooms are very well maintained and the surrounding area is clean.
People love the resort’s calm and peaceful environment, which makes their stay pleasant.
The sitting area on the terrace is a great addition to the place, and allows guests to enjoy the cool breezes and picturesque views.
The food is satisfactory, as is the service, while the well-organized shuttle service helps those who wish to see the hill station more thoroughly. Good for a family holiday!
#16. The Pavilion
Location: Near High Court, Mallital, Nainital- 263001
Price: 2,496- 5,580INR/night
This family hotel is situated right in the heart of Nainital. It has a spacious parking area, a children’s park, and sprawling lawns that can be enjoyed at all. A great range of toiletries in the clean bathrooms is ready to help tired travellers feel refreshed.
The spacious rooms are welcoming, and it is a good fit for small families, and solo travelers. Originally built in 1880, the establishment was run by Mrs. Pert as a tea parlour- the charm of which the staff works rather hard to maintain even today. Today, everyone who visits, or lives around knows the hotel.
#17. The Wood Nest
Location: Janak Valley, Khurpatal, Nainital Road, Nainital- 326002
Price: 1,542- 6,461INR/night
A mere 3.4 km from Nainital-proper, The Wood Nest boasts of clean, airy rooms,
a barbecue and playground. It has its own restaurant, and a water park, for guests visiting in the hotter months. Free parking for those who are driving down, is another convenience guests can enjoy, apart from the fully equipped rooms.
You can enjoy a flavorful cup of tea while looking out at the mountains. Soft slippers and free toiletries will welcome you. Later, you can go fishing, or hiking close by.
You could also whiz off up into the hills, with a bike from the hotel’s own bike rental service, for a picinic, or a quick race in the mountain air. Book for an enjoyable break, now!
#18. Sterling Nainital
Location: Bhowali Road, Jhokia, Nainital- 263139
Price: 3.524-7,856INR/night
This three-star hotel is an innovative combination of modern luxury ensconced in the beauty of nature. The rooms have spectacular views, and the hotel’s chefs offer guests an exciting range of food options.
It is a great place to organize a business meeting in, too, because the hotel not only has a banquet hall, a business center, but it also provides airport transportation. Mix business and pleasure, why don’t you?
#19. Balrampur House
Location: Mallital, Nainital- 263001
Price: 4,993-7,122INR/night
An old French chateau style building, the Balrampur House will allow you to enjoy its quaint charm, and will allow you to escape into a world long gone. A mere five-minute drive from the Mall road, the resort is perched atop a quiet hill with spectacular view of the surrounding Naina Peak & the Ayarpata hill.
And guess what, His Holiness the Dalai Lama once stayed here. The splendid lawns, the enchanting premises, and the food all help make the stay here extremely pleasurable.
#20. Hotel Krishna, The Mall
Location: The Mall, Nainital- 263001
Price: 2,056-4.452INR/night
Hotel Krishna is right on the Mall Road, and overlooks the tranquil Naini Lake. It is just about 400 m from main bus station, 35 km from the nearest railway station, Kathgodam, and 70 km from Pantnagar, which is the nearest airport.
It is therefore very well connected. You can enjoy looking at Thandi Sadak from the balcony of the hotel. Food is quite healthy, fresh, and tasty, and the staff is helpful and courteous. A good hotel for a good price.
#21. Bhikampur Lodge
Location: Raj Bhawan Road, Near DSB College, Tallital, Nainital- 263001
Price: 5,580- 12,628INR/night
Bhikampur lodge sit elegantly, on a hill in the idle of a thick deodar forest adjoining the famous Raj Bhawan golf course. Originally built by a British resident in the late 19th century it was later purchased by the Nawab of Bhikampur.
It is no wonder, then, that the architecture rekindles images of the Colonial era. The services, and the staff here will ensure that guests can enjoy a ‘fine holidaying’ experience. Spend lively evenings here, by the golden light of bonfires, with friends and family!
#22. Sudha Amar Retreat
Location: Hartapa Road, Kainchi Dham, Nainital- 263132
Price: 3,377- 11,454INR/night
Though it is slightly expensive for a budget hotel, it promises a great stay! Each room, with a balcony, provides panoramic views of the sylvan Kumaon Hills.
The multi cuisine restaurant whips up yummy food for guests, and the park allows children to blow off some steam too. Rooms are well built, and have good wooden furnishing. Travel here with your pet, and enjoy a weekend of solitude, with only your best friend.
#23. Ashoka’s Naini Chalet Resort
Location: Village Pangot, Nainital-263001
Price: 3,451-6,388INR/night
This budget hotel on the outskirts of Nainital, though constructed only recently, gives the impression of a colonial building, with its artful architecture.
The resort offers clean rooms, a huge dining area that overlooks the valley, a fully equipped conference hall, a spa, and a hot Jacuzzi.
But most importantly it offers guests a beautiful view of the Himalayas that guests can experience while staying in Swiss styled chalets and rooms. Jet set without a passport then!
#24. Dynasty Resort
Location: Nainital Road, Khurpatal, Nainital- 263001
Price: 2,349- 6,535INR/night
Well above 5,000 feet above sea level, he Dynasty Resort is just about out of reach, to be away from the hustle and bustle of the main town, but it is close enough that you can reach the Mall Road easily. It is hotel that offers most amenities- like meeting rooms, a banquet room, internet access, and conference services.
It is apt for a small formal work trip, as it is not too expensive, but it does not skimp on providing any amenities either. The best thing about the resort is the panoramic view it offers of the lake!
#25. Snow View Huts
Location: View Point, Nainital- 263001
Price: 734-1,836INR/night
Snow View Huts Nainital is located just below Snow View Point at Birla Chungi Chowk, only 5 minutes away from the Mall Road. Its height makes it the coolest point of Naintal in summers. The Resort is also unique because it is 100% eco-friendly! The Resort has log finish huts, all lake facing.
Rooms are well lit, well ventilated, and have all the amenities necessary for a comfortable stay. The staff around the premises is nice, too. This one is great for student travellers.
Next time you plan a trip to Nainital, you know where to stay! Pick one of these great places and don’t forget to share your experience in the comments section below.