Oberoi Wildflower Hall

Sitting 8,250 feet above sea level in the Himalayas, Wildflower Hall’s location is spectacular to say the least. Brilliantly green in the summer thanks to the rich cedar forests surrounding it, the town acquires a fairy-tale quality in the winter when it is covered with snow.

Plush, carpeted corridors branch off into luxurious, traditionally designed rooms and suites, many of which have stunning views over the Himalayan peaks and cedar forests which surround the hotel. The style of the rooms reflects Shimla’s history as the favoured summer resort of the British Raj, with Burmese teak flooring, opulent marble bathrooms and a traditional colonial design. The Lord Kitchener Suite features paintings and photographs of the famous officer and paisley sofas, and Premier Mountain View Rooms feature panoramic views of the Himalayas and Gangotori, the source of the sacred River Ganges.

Wildflower Hall’s main restaurant is spread across a smart indoor dining room, a glass conservatory and an outdoor terrace with incredible Himalayan views. The restaurant specialises in Himachal, Indian, Asian and European cuisine. Lutyens Hall can be booked for private dining experiences. The Cavalry Bar, decorated with antique war memorabilia, is dedicated to the memory of British and Indian soldiers and is a wonderful setting for a drink of an evening, warmed in the winter months by the magnificent marble fireplace.

A range of massage, yoga and Ayurveda treatments are offered at locations of your choosing throughout the hotel and grounds, and there’s an indoor and outdoor pool – the former is beautifully lit by crystal chandeliers, and the latter is a whirlpool with stunning views over the mountains. The hotel has a fully-equipped fitness studio and a stunning sea green outdoor tennis court, which is converted into an ice rink in the winter months.

Shimla’s stunning Himalayan views and former status as a favourite retreat of the colonial British have lent it a unique atmosphere among Indian towns. A mock-Tudor library and Christian church are among the landmarks on the main street which, covered in snow in the winter months, can look distinctly Christmassy and European. The Mall, a shopping street since the 1800s, is closed off to vehicles and so is a great place to get a feel for Shimla on foot, and the Viceregal Lodge – the former home of the Viceroy of India – dates from 1888 and is a fine, if unexpected, example of Scottish Baronial architecture. Jakhoo Hill is home to a temple to the monkey god Hanuman and, as Shimla’s highest point, offers spectacular vistas.