The Hillsong Homey

There’s no lift, which was the one drawback for me. Otherwise, the place was clean and had plenty of space for our family of seven. We arrived late at night, but the owner and caretaker still came over and made sure we were settled comfortably. Both were very polite and helpful, and it was a pleasant stay.

The host was wonderful, very approachable and ready to help with plans, food, and travel arrangements. The apartment is close to ISBT and several attractions, including Mall Road, though the route through the ISBT building can be a little confusing. The approach road is okay and not especially narrow by Shimla standards. The host gave us clear directions. Inside Verma apartments, there are two decent-sized rooms, a small kitchen, a hall with sofas, and a little but useful balcony. Everything was very clean and well maintained. The toilets were spotless and had water heaters. We didn’t see room heaters, so check with the host if you need one. It’s on the third floor with no elevator. There’s no food service at the property, but you can order through Zomato or Swiggy, or cook in the kitchen. A good no-frills place for a group of up to eight for a couple of days.

The apartment was spacious, tidy, and had everything our family needed, with bedrooms and balconies plus a kitchen, dining space, and living area. Mrs Shruthi Ji helped us book a cab for the entire trip, and Care taker Shyam Lal was very supportive.

We had a good stay for one night. The homestay was spacious and neatly kept, the rooms were comfortable, and heaters were provided. From the balcony we had a lovely view of the snowfall, and the location near ISBT was convenient. Shruti Ji was helpful and looked after us well. She had explained that, because of COVID times, they weren’t serving food and guests could order from local eateries using the menus provided. In winter, especially in the cold and snow, getting meals delivered from outside was a bit difficult. Freshly cooked food at the homestay would have made things more comfortable.