Freephone an expert 01306 744 656

Send Enquiry
Opening Times
Monday
10am - 5pm
Tuesday
10am - 5pm
Wednesday
10am - 5pm
Thursday
10am - 5pm
Friday
10am - 5pm
Saturday
10am - 5pm
Sunday
Closed

Call 01306 744 656 or

For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni
For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni 

Things to do in India

A dose of the aristocratic good life at Oberoi Wildflower Hall

The British viceroys never had it so good with an outdoor jacuzzi facing the Himalayas…

By Sunit Mikhija
General Manager at Wildflower Hall, Shimla In The Himalayas, An Oberoi Resort

Wildflower Hall harks back to the days when Shimla was the appointed summer retreat of the British Raj. When commander-in-chief Lord Kitchener holidayed here, he was so taken by the natural beauty that he made it his country home. Today this spot is still the best place for respite among the cedar trees 15 kilometres away from town, at an elevation of 8,500 feet, looking out over the forested Himalayas. The most spectacular vistas are arguably from our outdoor jacuzzi and glass-walled indoor pool where you can soak up 360-degree views of the undulating mountains.

Inside, the glory days of the Raj live on; an abundance of exotic wood, silk sofas, grand chandeliers and crackling fireplaces – but with a modern revamp. Even if you’re in one of our suites on the highest level, you’re never without a tree in sight, our most valuable commodity. So, in a way you always feel a sense of seclusion but for those wanting ultimate privacy, I would recommend a superior room with a private terrace that makes it feel like the forest is yours alone.

If you do one activity only, a guided nature walk is a must even if hiking isn’t your thing. Or we can set up a tented picnic on the peak where you could choose to spend all day should you wish. During winter I transform the lawn tennis court into an ice-skating rink which is just so much fun and there’s always healthy competition in our billiards room.

There’s plenty here to rejuvenate you and not just at our award-winning spa featuring two treatment rooms embedded in the treetop canopy. Our restaurant is a diverse space including a terrace for breakfast overlooking the peaks and supper in the moonlight with the warmth of flickering fires. The menu includes regional Himachali food with dishes like kheru, a spiced yoghurt soup and locally sourced trout served in a tandoori, sautéed or in a Himachali curry. It takes me back to my holidays in the mountains, fresh faced and breathing in the scent of pine.

Categories

  • History
  • Places to stay

Available in these itineraries…

Alfred & Sunit Mikhija

With 23 years of extensive experience in the world of luxury hospitality, Sunit is an accomplished hotelier with a keen focus on expertise and housekeeping to ensure the highest standards for his guests. His visionary leadership, creativity and commitment to excellence has made Sunit a valuable asset in delivering exceptional and out-of-the-box experiences as a standard at Oberoi Hotels.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Malcolm, who's travelled extensively in India. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember.

Freephone an expert 01306 744 656

Subscribe to Newsletter

Let us inspire you with holiday ideas, exclusive event invites and travel offers from our network of contacts around the world.