Hotel Combermere

There’s a distinctive vibe here, and most of the guests staying seemed to be foreigners. The seating area and scenery are astonishing. Do visit the hotel bar, it feels very premium. The food was good, though kind of overpriced, but that seemed justified since they meet European standards.

I paid 8k for a room with breakfast, which felt like far too much for what we got. The rooms were very small and uncomfortable, and the lift setup was confusing, especially the safety procedures. In an emergency, the exits look inadequate. On top of that, the reception staff were rude and arrogant. My recent stay was exceptionally poor, despite having stayed in numerous hotels and locations.

Room 606 had no view, just a wall outside the window, so I never even opened the curtains. For what I paid, I expected a better room and experience. Guests should avoid the back-side rooms 601-606. At check-in around 12 PM, I was told no rooms were available. When I asked for an early arrangement, receptionist Mr. Rajesh was rude and unprofessional, though his junior colleague was polite and handled things much better. The room and service fell short of expectations.

The rooftop bar was the highlight for me, with fantastic valley views. Breakfast had a good variety, and the staff were polite. Rooms were comfortable and well maintained. Hotel Combermere is right beside the lift, making it easy to get to The Ridge and Mall Road, so it’s a convenient option in the heart of Shimla.