OYO 14218 Elixir Cottage

We picked this place to get away from Manali Mall Road and enjoy the quiet and mountain views. The property had only just been acquired, so we were among its first guests. Our family room came with a separate hall and dining area, which made the stay more comfortable, and the BSNL fiber internet was fast. The one inconvenience was that breakfast and dinner were at the main hotel, about 100 meters away, though they offered us a cab. We liked the place, and manager Feroz was great.

The balcony view was what first won me over, and the food was another highlight. The paneer dishes were especially good, service was quick, and the right choices can feed four or five people for under ₹500. Let the staff know what you want 2-4 hours ahead. We stayed with family last summer after visiting Shimla and Kullu, booking two rooms, one for the men and one for us women. Everyone was polite and kind, and the dog was adorable, even though she slept most of the day, probably because of her age. We’d book here again next time.

The setting was pleasant, with mountain views and open fields, away from the town noise. The bathroom was also spotless and well kept, with hot water even at the washbasin. But the room itself didn’t feel very fresh, and after I found a mouse that damaged my backpack, I checked out a day early from my three-day booking. The receptionist acted as if this could happen and said they didn’t domesticate it. I had to pay ₹1000 extra for leaving early, and asked management to address the problem and refund that amount. The restaurant food was fresh, though not great, and the wait was too long. It’s a regular hotel rather than a fancy one, and the prices seemed high, maybe because rooms in Manali are in demand.

The food was awful and overpriced. One mixed veg pakora was 280, just six onion rings, and it arrived only after I reminded them eight times. There’s no cable TV in the room, and getting even a jug of water from room service was a struggle.