The 10 best hotels in Manali

One of Manali’s most comfortable options, this elegant, plush hotel is set in immaculate grounds. Built in striking Victorian Gothic Revival style, The Himalayan is complemented by the option of attractive two-bedroom cottages complete with antique furniture and private gardens. The buildings are set amongst cherry and apple orchards overlooking snow-capped mountains that cry out to be explored – though with a gym, spa, pool, bar and restaurant serving excellent continental and Indian cuisines, you might find it hard to leave the immaculate grounds.

Nestled in the tranquil Beas River Valley, with views of the river, dense deodar and pine forests, cultivated step terraces, orchards, lush meadows and, of course, the mountains, this popular hotel with 47 plush, well-equipped rooms (all with air-conditioning) has a restaurant serving both continental and Indian cuisines. There’s also a smart nightclub, The Kapital Lounge, playing electro to pop and house to disco. If that wasn’t enough, a health club offers a gym, sauna, steam room and massage, and a games room pool table, air hockey and video games.

Suitable for the budget traveller, this comfortable hotel is ideal for those wanting to be near the excitement of the city centre and the bus stand for ease of travel. Yet despite its lively location, the hotel itself is in a quiet area with views of forest and mountains. It has the ambience of a friendly guest house rather than formal hotel and has both a vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurant. There’s a small garden to relax in, and location is dandy too; Silmog Garden is by the Tibetan monastery and convenient for the park.

There’s a choice between comfortable spacious rooms, two-bedroom three-storey cottages with balconies and fireplaces, and spacious  private residencies (suites) at this popular lodge that opened in 2005. The bar serves some scintillating cocktails while the restaurant offers excellent Indian, south-east Asian, Italian and Mexican cuisine. At the Spa Magnolia you can sample Ayurveda and other Asian therapies as well as a wide array of classic and western massage therapies, steam, and whirlpool baths.

Well located near the Mall Road, this elegant yet modern luxury resort features spacious rooms and cottages with lawned gardens and wonderful mountain and river views. An array of cuisines are offered at its restaurants, including Indian, Tibetan and Chinese. There’s an indoor heated pool, spa and fitness area, and a games area to keep the kids entertained, and you can end the day in the swanky book-lined Library Bar.

Nestled amongst snow-capped mountains, apple orchards and pine forest, this upmarket hideaway in the upscale Log Hut area, a couple of kilometres from the town centre, has swish and spacious rooms with elegant, colourful furnishings. It’s not stuffy though, and with a large terrace, pleasant lawned areas, a games room and outdoor play area for children, plus a disco and restaurant, it’s super-family friendly, as well as offering a great location for a trek into the hills.

Just a short drive from the Solang Valley, this comfortable retreat surrounded by mountains, orchard and forest boasts big rooms with wi-fi, air-con and minibars, as well as a nice range of public areas that take in the Paradisi Spa, a gym, reading room, business centre and the Biso Restaurant, which serves local and Mediterranean cuisine. Plus there’s 24-hour room service and a doctor on call. Light sleepers take note, it’s located beside the Beas River, whose roar is either a nuisance or mesmerising… or both.

Near the ever-popular Log Hut area at the highest point in Manali, this soothingly styled green and white retreat has sleek and modern mountain- or valley-view rooms plus honeymoon and family suites. The complex also has a health club and gym, and a highly rated vegetarian restaurant offering a choice of North Indian, South Indian and Gujarati/Marwari dishes. When you want to explore, complimentary transport to the market area of Manali is included.

Around a five-minute drive from the lively Mall Road market area, this spotless hotel (looking distinctly alpine outside, and with some fun Overlook Hotel furnishing notes inside, though thankfully no Jack Torrance) offers spacious rooms with all mod-cons such as free wi-fi and round-the-clock concierge service. There are two restaurants – one rooftop – serving a multi-cuisine menu (Indian, Muglai, Chinese, Oriental and Italian), a disco and live music, as well as an indoor games room, spa and gym.

Situated in the Log Hut area near the Old Town and sightseeing musts like Hadimba Devi and Manu temples, and surrounded by dense 500-year-old cedar forests, this tranquil retreat boasts large light, airy and modern rooms with pleasing touches like teak floors, hand-knitted rugs and rich furnishings. There’s a spa with a steam room and sauna, and a gym – in case you over-indulge at the three restaurants.