Sharing my experience from the Wildflower Hall, Shimla from July 2016.
It had been a long time since the whole family traveled together. We had welcomed the new year in Las Vegas, but soon it was clear we needed another break. Wildflower Hall had always been on my father’s list, and for his birthday I finally made it happen. I contacted Mr. Sumit Joshi, who leads the team at Wildflower Hall, and he helped reserve two valley-view rooms. Excitement rippled through the family, especially my dad.
The property is breathtaking — a graceful blend of luxury and nature tucked into the hills. Mr. Joshi gave us a tour through spaces that feel like a colonial hill-station home: a cozy library, a cards room and intimate seating areas. The building’s history also intrigued us; it was once Lord Kitchener’s residence before the Oberoi group restored and reinvented it. For me, the indoor pool and the mountain-facing jacuzzi were highlights — relaxing there while gazing at the peaks felt almost irresistible.
We whiled away hours in the cards room playing Monopoly and in the pool. Honestly, is there a better vacation moment than sitting in a warm jacuzzi, staring at the mountains, and sharing the time with loved ones? It felt perfectly peaceful.
What truly made our stay memorable, though, was the staff. The hospitality at Wildflower Hall is genuine — warm, attentive and effortless. From the restaurant team to the front desk and pool attendants, every member helped make us feel at home. As Mr. Joshi told us when we left, “Wildflower Hall continues to be your house in the Himalayas,” and after that stay it really felt like ours. The positive, comforting atmosphere adds a special layer to the property’s charm.
Dining at Wildflower Hall was another highlight. The dining area itself is beautiful, but the food impressed us even more. We sampled Indian, Asian and Continental dishes, and each was prepared with care. My parents enjoyed traditional Himachali recommendations from the chef, while I loved the mushroom and ricotta ravioli. My sister ordered grilled chicken and pronounced it excellent — even though I don’t eat meat, her verdict was enthusiastic.
I usually skip breakfast at home, but on vacation it becomes my favorite meal — especially with a spread of pastries, waffles and sweet treats. I happily stacked donuts, croissants and waffles on my plate and adored the blueberry French toast. My mother savored idlis and a steaming cup of Darjeeling tea. The chef made a ham-free eggs Benedict for me, which was delicious. The breakfast menu was diverse enough to satisfy the whole family, and that mattered a lot.
Desserts were tempting enough to make me want to try everything. While my appetite limited me, I did sample cheesecake and a selection of homemade ice creams. The paan-flavored ice cream became a family favorite for a couple of days, while I kept thinking about the blueberry. A lemon ice cream stood out as refreshingly unique — a must-try if you enjoy citrus flavors.
Wildflower Hall sits adjacent to the Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary, so it feels intimately close to nature. We took the Wild Strawberry Trail along the sanctuary with a guide who explained the local flora and fauna and mentioned that the forest is one of the densest in the region. We spent an afternoon trekking, tasting wild strawberries and listening to stories about the trees, flowers and insects — a simple, restorative experience.
Overall, our stay at Wildflower Hall was unforgettable. Between the elegant rooms, attentive staff, excellent food and the proximity to nature, it felt like the perfect family getaway. I would return in a heartbeat.