The Ashoka Inn

Sudesh Kr. Sharma was so supportive during our recent stay, and I’m very grateful for everything he did. The hotel felt like a home away from home, with delicious food and professional, warm, efficient service. It sits on a hilltop with panoramic Himalayan views, and is an easy walk from the ridge, Lakkar bazaar, Kalibari and mall. Cars can reach it by the back road.

The service and the people here were kind and humane, and in those respects this hotel ranks number one. But the luxury was zero, and the photos on MakeMyTrip and other portals were fake, completely unlike what we found. It's near Mall Road, though getting there with luggage is difficult because nobody will bring it down for you, so we had to pay a lot extra for a taxi. We paid three to four times more than the stay deserved.

The breakfast was disappointing: only two or three choices, little variation over the days, and mediocre taste. Getting to the property is complicated too, as private taxis and cars can't go onto Mall Road, and the route through the narrow Jakhoo temple road is tricky. Don't self-drive, and ask the staff for directions because Google Maps can mislead you. Once you arrive, though, the location is amazing. It's a stone's throw from the ridge and lakkar bazaar, making it easy to spend evenings walking around the mall, ridge and bazaar. The dining terrace has panoramic views over Shimla city and the valley, and they arrange an evening bonfire there. The staff were very hospitable and went out of their way to make us comfortable.

The location listed online is misleading and frustrating to find, and there's no parking. The Ashoka Inn was a huge waste of money. The rooms looked nothing like the photos, and were filthy, dusty and run down. The bathroom was awful, with a dirty floor and a huge spider inside. Disgusting and fraudulent. Avoid it!