Vatsalyam Homestay

The food was delicious, cooked wonderfully, and there was plenty of it. Our room was brilliant, with a fantastic balcony view. The owners and staff welcomed us warmly, knew the area well, and had lots of ideas for places to visit. We felt like part of their extended family. If you're after Himachal food and hospitality, this homestay is a must.

The terrace gives you an amazing, almost complete view of Shimla, and we mostly stayed in to enjoy the weather. The house also has a great family library, and there are a few treks nearby. The Sharda hosts are kind and even arranged a small birthday celebration for my child. We went in May 2022 as a family, and the place was very clean and well maintained. It felt on par with a 3 or 4 star hotel, while still being a homestay with a joint family. The food was the best part: breakfast and dinner cost extra, and both were excellent home cooking. Lunch isn't provided because the women who cook also have day jobs, but the host can arrange a good lunch from a nearby kitchen for an extra charge. There's hardly anywhere to eat within walking distance. The home is 4.5 km from Shimla centre, The Mall, so daily trips there mean taking a taxi; if that's your main plan, staying nearer the centre may suit you better. The host can arrange taxi service for an extra fee if you don't have contacts. Since you're staying with a joint family, there are some basic house rules to follow.

The setting in a quiet suburban area made for a peaceful break from the city centre, and the surrounding area was clean and well looked after. We had lovely mountain and valley scenery around us. Aseesh and his family were warm, helpful hosts who answered our questions, suggested places to see, and knew a lot about local culture. They made us feel part of the community. Our room and kitchen were very clean and well maintained, with all the amenities we needed. We felt at home at Vatsalyam and would gladly return. I highly recommend it for a peaceful Shimla getaway.

The big terrace gives you a nice open feeling, and the place is good for a family wanting to stay together in one room. It's away from the main hub, which makes for a quieter stay. Ask Ashish for directions before heading there, and his family will look after you well.