Shimla's Royal Escape: Unforgettable Luxury at Hotel Amar Palace
Shimla's Royal Escape: Hotel Amar Palace - A Review (With Some Honest Truths Mixed In!)
Alright, folks, let's talk Shimla. That queen of the hills, that romantic getaway, that place that promises fairytale views and crisp mountain air. And if you're thinking of experiencing it in style, the Hotel Amar Palace pops up in your search results. I've just returned from a stay, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. Prepare yourselves for a review that's less polished brochure and more "real talk" – and hopefully, a compelling offer to boot!
First, the Basics (The Bits They WANT you to Know):
- Accessibility: They claim to have facilities for disabled guests. Now, I didn't personally require these, but it's worth checking specifics with the hotel before you book. I always err on the side of caution in India when it comes to accessibility claims.
- Cleanliness & Safety (In a Pandemic World): Okay, this is where Amar Palace actually SHINED. They were obsessed with cleanliness. I swear, you could eat off the floor (though, I wouldn't). Anti-viral cleaners were in full force, staff were masked, and there were hand sanitizers EVERYWHERE. They’ve got this "COVID-friendly" thing down pat. They had all the buzzwords - individually wrapped food (which is a bit sad, truth be told, but understandable), sanitized kitchen and tableware, daily disinfection in common areas. Kudos to them for taking it seriously. You feel safe, which is a HUGE win right now.
- Internet: They shout about Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it's true! But… and this is a BIG but… expect some hiccups. The Wi-Fi in my room, despite being "free," was… temperamental. Sometimes it worked like a dream, allowing me to stream Netflix into the wee hours. Other times, it was slower than a sloth on valium. This is more a general Shimla issue, though, not just Amar Palace. The internet infrastructure in the hills is just… not always stellar. So, pack a book, just in case.
- Rooms (The Good, The Bad, and The Extra Long Bed): My room? Decent. Definitely comfortable. Air conditioning (a lifesaver, even in Shimla!), a comfy bed, a desk for those moments when you have to do work (ugh). They even had an extra long bed – which was great for this tall traveler! Blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in (because you eventually need the sun… right?). The safety/security feature (read: the in-room safe) was reassuring too. But… the view wasn’t quite the postcard I was expecting from Shimla’s “Royal Escape”. It's like they strategically placed the hotel so the best views were… not mine.
- Things to Do (Or Really, How to Relax): They've got all the usual suspects. A fitness center (I didn't visit, because… vacation), a spa, a sauna, a steamroom, and a swimming pool. The pool with a view particularly caught my eye; I lounged by it for hours with a book and a bottle of water (provided!). Ah, pure bliss. I even indulged in a foot bath one afternoon because I wanted to feel like royalty. The massage sounded tempting, but… well, more on that later.
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Because We All Know That's Important): Alright, this is where things get interesting. They have restaurants galore, with Asian, International, and even a Vegetarian restaurant (because, India!). The Breakfast [buffet] was pretty good, with a Western breakfast option. I loved their Coffee/tea in the restaurant, but the coffee shop itself was disappointing. The Happy hour was a nice touch. The Poolside bar was charming, and the availability of Snack bar was convenient. The Room service [24-hour]? A lifesaver when you're battling jet lag. The A la carte in restaurant experience was rather average, but the buffet offered a wide variety of choices.
Now, the Meat and Potatoes (The Honest Stuff):
- The Service (A Bit of a Rollercoaster): The staff were, generally, lovely. Helpful, friendly, and eager to please. However, "eager to please" occasionally translated to a little too much hovering. It felt a tad… overbearing at times. One particular instance: I ordered room service for breakfast. The breakfast in room arrived promptly but, they brought about 30 of the items, there was cutlery to spare, and even a waiter that hovered over me while I ate! But I’ll give them an A for Effort!
- My "Spa" Experience (The Great Massage Letdown): Okay, this is where I get personal. I booked a massage, expecting Nirvana. What I got was… underwhelming. The spa itself was gorgeous, tranquil, all that jazz. But the massage? Let's just say the therapist's heart wasn’t in it. The "relaxing" massage felt rushed, and the pressure was more tickle than therapy. I came out feeling more tense than when I went in. This was a MASSIVE letdown, I was ready to spend my day in the steamroom, but I was left feeling disappointed.
- The Location (A Trade-Off): Amar Palace is a bit outside of the main Shimla hustle and bustle. On one hand, this means peace and quiet. On the other, it means you're reliant on taxis (which the hotel can arrange, of course). It's not unwalkable, but it's uphill most of the way. So, if you're after a central location, this isn't it.
The Quirky Observation: One thing I found amusing? The sheer number of couples. Like, EVERYWHERE. Amar Palace is definitely geared towards romance. There was even a dedicated Proposal spot! So, if you're flying solo… brace yourself for a lot of PDA (Public Displays of Affection).
Overall Impression:
Hotel Amar Palace is a good choice for a luxury escape in Shimla. It has its flaws (the iffy Wi-Fi, the uneven spa experience), but the cleanliness, the comfortable rooms, and the generally attentive service outweigh the negatives. It’s a solid option, especially if you prioritize safety and comfort.
The Offer (Because You Deserve a Royal Escape!):
Okay, here's the deal. You want a Shimla escape without breaking the bank? You want to experience the luxury of Amar Palace, but you're on the fence? I got you.
Book your stay at Hotel Amar Palace through this link (or ask me, I'll help you find it, trust me!):
By booking through this special offer, you get :
- A Complimentary Upgrade (subject to availability - you’ll thank me later!)
- A Discounted Rate on Spa Services (avoid the “Great Massage Letdown” by picking something else!)
- A bottle of chilled Sparkling wine on arrival (to help you forget about any Wi-Fi woes!)
- Complimentary Breakfast (Because who wants to be forced to cook on vacation?)
Here's why you should book NOW:
- Limited Availability: This offer is for a limited time only! Don't miss out!
- Shimla Magic: The weather is perfect for the mountains! Get ready for Instagram-worthy views!
- Ultimate Relaxation: You deserve a break! Let Amar Palace pamper you.
Book your Shimla Royal Escape now! Don't let this opportunity pass you by! It's more than a vacation; it's an escape.
Escape to Paradise: Mango Leaf Lake Resort's Untouched Beauty
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is… well, this is my potential disaster/triumph at the Hotel Amar Palace in Shimla, India. Hold on tight!
Day 1: Arrival and Altitude Adjustment (or Me vs. the Mountain)
- 9:00 AM (ish): Arrive at Chandigarh Airport. Okay, technically the plan was to arrive "on time," but let's be real. My flight was delayed. Already, I'm sweating. And the airport? Chaos. Beautiful, colourful, slightly overwhelming chaos. Finding the driver arranged by the hotel? A white-knuckle experience. He looked like he was born in a Maruti, and I'm secretly relieved he's not driving a rickshaw.
- 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM: The Scenic Drive. So, "scenic" is the operative word here. The drive to Shimla is supposed to be breathtaking. And it is. Breathtaking in the sense that it takes my breath away because I'm convinced the driver is auditioning for a Bollywood action film while navigating hairpin bends. I swear, I saw a goat wink at me as we careened past a cliff. Altitude sickness is already whispering threats.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Check-in and Hotel Amar Palace First Glimpse. The Amar Palace… okay, it's a little more "charming" than "palatial." Think "rustic elegance" with a touch of "slightly faded grandeur." The lobby smells faintly of incense and maybe… a little bit of mothballs. But the view! The view from my room is seriously ridiculous. Mountains. Trees. Clouds that look like they're auditioning for a Disney movie. I feel compelled to document the scenery. Instagram-ready, absolutely.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Lunch Debacle. So, the hotel restaurant. I ordered something called "Vegetable Manchurian." I'm pretty sure it's not the Manchurian I was expecting; it looks like something that escaped from the depths of a volcano. Tastes… interesting It's a taste I am currently on the fence about. Is it good? Is it… challenging? I'll need more time to decide. Also, the waiter looked at me like I just sprouted a third eye when I asked for a glass of water that wasn't lukewarm. Already missing my familiar bottled water!
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Altitude Sickness vs. Me. The altitude is definitely messing with me. Headache, a bit of nausea, and a sudden craving for a nap. I try to "acclimatize" by taking a slow walk around the hotel grounds. I last about ten minutes before retreating back to my room to lie down. Consider this a win for the bed.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Chai Time and Mountain Gazing. The hotel has chai. This means I can drink my feelings. I get a cup of tea. I sit outside, snuggled in my oversized scarf (prepared for anything). The sun starts turning the mountains into shades of gold and orange. Suddenly, everything feels a bit less terrifying. Maybe this mountain thing isn't so bad after all.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Feeling slightly braver, I head back to the restaurant. Going for something simple: Dal Makhani and… hold on, let me guess. Yeah, it's good. The Dal Makhani is pure comfort food heaven. I might have eaten way too much.
- 7:00 PM - Bedtime: Staring at the Stars and Sleep. The stars here! Oh. My. God. They’re spilling across the sky like diamonds. I stand on my balcony for a while, trying to absorb the sheer vastness of it all. Then, collapsing in my bed. The altitude is still there, but the mountain views are making me happy.
Day 2: Exploring Shimla and Seeking Snacks (and Maybe Sanity)
- 8:00 AM (ish): Breakfast, again. I'm still slightly wary of the food, but I bravely attack the buffet. I decide I will eat an Apple. They're even more delicious than I imagine. I'm starting to get the hang of this breakfast thing.
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The Mall Road Muddle and the Scandal Point. This is where the real touristy stuff begins. The Mall Road in Shimla? Busy. Really, really busy. It reminds me of a crowded marketplace with a dash of tourist trap. I walk along it, dodging selfie sticks and rickshaws, trying to find something that isn't a "genuine yak wool scarf" (I’ll probably buy one anyway). Finally find what I want: an interesting little shop that sells wood carvings. I immediately buy an elaborately carved elephant. It's a little bit ridiculous but a tiny touch of beauty. Then, Scandal Point… according to the stories, it's where everyone gossips. I can see why. It’s a fantastic view.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch Take Two. Something I know I want. I find a small place off a side street. I order Thali and watch the lives of locals. It's authentic. I think. Plus, I can people watch.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Toy Train Temptation (and Failure). Okay, this was supposed to be the highlight. The Kalka-Shimla toy train. Tiny, charming, supposedly picturesque. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, for crying out loud! But… tickets sold out. Utter failure. I had a moment of despair. Followed by a moment of "Well, now what?"
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Searching for Snacks. So, no train. This is my personal mission now: finding the perfect samosa or the most incredible jalebi. I wander through the Shimla's market. I find a street food stall and give it a whirl. The woman just looked at me with a gentle smile. The samosa? Possibly the best thing I've ever eaten. I buy two more. Life is good, at least for the next five minutes.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Hiking(ish). Feeling somewhat energetic from the sugar rush provided by the samosas, I decide to attempt a "short hike" to Jakhoo Temple. It wasn't short. It was uphill. Steep uphill. And the monkeys! OMG, the monkeys! They're fascinating (and slightly terrifying). I make it to the top eventually, though I'm huffing and puffing like a freight train. The temple is beautiful, and the view from the top is even more ridiculous.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Sunset Serenity (and Monkey Encounters). The sunset from Jakhoo Temple is stunning. Pure gold, painted across the mountains. I get momentarily distracted by a particularly cheeky monkey. I was definitely not intimidated, but I did become the monkey's target.
- 7:00 PM - Bedtime: Dinner at the Hotel and Planning for Tomorrow! Back at the Amar Palace, I had dinner, and it was really good. I'm getting used to this place. Plus, I have a fresh cup of tea and plan for tomorrow.
Day 3: The Palace and Departure (Maybe with a souvenir or two… or ten)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. And another breakfast. The usual.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Viceregal Lodge, and a Reality Check. Visited this beautiful, historic building. Learning the history is cool.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Final Lunch and Farewell to Food. One last meal. I will order something simple, I think.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Drive Back. Another white-knuckle experience? You bet. But this time I'm prepared (mentally, at least). I will close my eyes and imagine I am on a roller coaster.
- 4:00 PM - Departure. Goodbye, Shimla! Goodbye mountains! Goodbye, monkeys! Goodbye, Amar Palace (and its slightly mothbally scent). Afterwards in my mind, I'll remember the beauty. I'll remember the chaos. I'll remember the food (both good and… interesting). And mostly, I'll remember how this slightly messy, imperfect, and utterly human trip, somehow, managed to be perfect.
And hey, I have that elephant. Now. That's a souvenir worthy of the entire trip!
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Shimla's Royal Escape: Amar Palace – Your Dreams, or Maybe Just Mine, Come True? (FAQ)
Okay, Spill the Tea: Is the Amar Palace Really *that* Luxurious? Like, Worth the Splurge?
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because the answer is… it depends. Look, let's be real, 'luxury' is in the eye of the beholder, and my eye, bless it, is perpetually scanning for the cheap seats. But Amar Palace... it throws a serious punch. We're talking chandeliers that look like they cost my entire year's salary (probably), plush carpets you practically *want* to roll on (I tried, don’t judge!), and views… oh, the views. I swear, I spent a solid hour just staring out the window, convinced I was hallucinating the Himalayas.
The rooms? Spacious. The service? Generally, top-notch. They even unpacked my suitcase! (Which was mortifying, because let's just say my packing skills are, shall we say, 'rustic'.) But here's the thing: it’s not like perfect-perfect. During my stay, the wifi was a little…iffy in my room. Minor inconvenience, sure, but I’m addicted to social media and nearly had a full-blown existential crisis. And one morning, the hot water in the shower took a geological epoch to appear. Still, overall? Yes. Worth it. If you can afford it. And I *almost* couldn't. Saved up for months!
What's the Food Scene Like? Do I Need to Pack My Own Peanut Butter?
Oh, the food! Okay, okay, deep breaths. Amar Palace has a few restaurants. The main one, called something fancy like “The Maharaja’s Feast” (I'm probably butchering the name), served up a buffet that was truly… overwhelming. So much choice! I’m a simple girl, used to instant noodles, so it was a bit like being dropped into a culinary battlefield. I did manage to navigate it, though. The Indian dishes were generally amazing, especially the butter chicken which I dreamt about for nights after. The continental options… well, let's just say stick to what they do best. My attempt to order a burger resulted in something resembling a hockey puck. Lesson learned.
Breakfast was delightful, though! Fresh fruit, omelets made to order, and... yes, they had peanut butter! So, no, you don't need to pack your own. Unless you’re *really* picky. Or if you, like me, are deeply anxious about running out of peanut butter during a time of crisis. You know, just in case.
And about "Royal Escape"... How Royal Are We Talking? Do I Need to Curtsy?
Royal like… Bollywood Royal, maybe? Okay, maybe not actual literal kings and queens, but you *do* feel a bit pampered. The staff is incredibly attentive. They open doors for you, call you "madam" (which, after years of being called "hey you" by supermarket clerks, was a serious mind-bender), and generally make you feel like you're the most important person in the world. I was half-expecting a parade of servants to carry me to the spa. (Sadly, no such luck. Had to walk myself. The struggle is real, people.) No curtsying required, thank goodness. I'd probably trip and break a hip. Just be polite and enjoy being treated like royalty (ish).
One particularly memorable experience was the afternoon tea. Tiny sandwiches, dainty pastries, the whole shebang. I, being me, managed to spill Earl Grey all over myself. Twice. The staff, bless their hearts, just smiled and brought me fresh napkins. That's the level of service we're talking about. So, not *actual* royalty, but definitely a step up from my usual life of lukewarm instant coffee and overflowing laundry baskets.
Is the Spa Worth It? (And Do They Actually Get the Knots Out?)
The spa... oh, the spa. This is where I *really* went full-on 'princess'. I splurged on a massage after a gruelling day of… you know, existing. My therapist, bless her nimble fingers, worked miracles. I could feel my shoulders finally relaxing after a year of hunching over my laptop. Were the knots finally gone? Almost! I'd rate it a solid 9.5 out of 10. Maybe next time I’ll go for a whole day. I need to prepare some excuse, I might not be able to go back to work.
The atmosphere in the spa is tranquil, dimly lit, with soothing music… it's basically a dream. The only downside? Leaving. Seriously, I wanted to move in. I'm pretty sure I saw a fluffy white robe with my name on it in the locker room. I didn't take it (mostly because I was afraid of the consequences), but the temptation… oh, the temptation!
What Can You *Actually* Do in Shimla Besides, You Know, Admire the View?
Okay, so the Himalayas are breathtaking, no question. But after a while, you've got to *do* something. Shimla has plenty to offer. The Mall Road is tourist central – lots of shops, restaurants, and vendors trying to sell you things. I enjoyed it in small doses. I took a walk and ate some amazing street food. The Ridge is great for photos, but avoid it during peak times if you hate crowds (which, yes, I do). The Jakhoo Temple offers stunning views, but be warned: the monkeys there are notorious pickpockets. Guard your belongings like your life depends on it! (I learned this the hard way…lost a pen. Devastating.)
I went to the Viceregal Lodge too and to my surprise I really loved it. History is fascinating. I loved the history. It was just wonderful. But be warned, they will take your bags and security is tough. So, pack light. Honestly, the best part of Shimla is, in my opinion, just wandering around, soaking up the atmosphere, and getting lost in the winding streets. It’s a city that really gets under your skin. In the end, if you are really into luxury you will spend most of your time at the Palace.
Alright, Real Talk: What's the Biggest Flaw About the Amar Palace? The Truth, Please!
Okay, the biggest flaw? For me, it was the… the *feeling* of it all. It's luxurious, yes, but there's also a certain (and I'm hesitant to say this) unapproachability about it. It can feel a bit stuffy and formal. I caught myself whispering in the lobby. (Turns out, you can whisper while wearing a loud floral shirt.) It's not exactly the kind of place where you can just stroll in with muddy boots and a messy bun. (Which, let's be honest, is my natural state.)
Also (and I hesitate to admit this), I felt a little bit… out of place. The other guestsLow Price Hotel Blog
