Giriraj Guest House

I spent two days at Homeland Guest House, and I’d definitely recommend staying here at least once when visiting Manali. The owner is calm, kind, and possessive, and he’s travelled to many parts of India. He shares different travel stories with guests and can help plan places to visit in Manali. The balcony and rooms have amazing views, and the rooms are clean, beautifully themed, and have attached washrooms. Prices are under budget, so families, friends, and relatives can afford to stay. There’s a lovely restaurant and kitchen on the ground floor with different foods. They have a perfect cook in Manali. Solo travellers can book a dormitory bed through booking.com too.

The inn is about 1km from the main shopping center, so it’s a 15min walk or a 3min taxi ride. I really enjoyed the restaurant, with good value for money and a decent choice of Indian and Western dishes. Before a trek, the staff were especially helpful. They stored my sack and took care of some clothing while I was away, and getting everything back when I returned was easy.

The manager deserves a lot of respect for the great job here and the hospitality. When we arrived, the staff welcomed us warmly and were extremely friendly. The atmosphere felt special and really made me feel at home. Without doubt, this was one of my favorite guest houses during my time in Manali.

There’s a gaming room, and the staff are friendly and know the locality well. They can guide you if you’re new to the area. The rooms are spacious, with an amazing view and both private and shared balcony space on either side.