INDIALINE
Complete India Travel Guide

Woodville Palace Hotel

Woodville Palace Hotel Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

If Shimla is the queen of hills, then Woodville Palace could easily be termed as the jewel in queen's crown. At 7000 feet in Shimla, as you enter Woodville, the feeling that time has stood still here since the British Raj in 1930's strikes you.

The majestic structure rises beautifully in between the rose gardens and lawns and is spread over 4 acres. This romantic setting is complemented by pine and deodar forests in the backdrop.

The history of Woodville dates back to 1866. Sir William Mansfeild, Commander-in Chief of the Imperial Army became its first resident. It was later brought by His Highness Maharaja Bhagvat Sinh of Gondal State in western India. Finally, a part of it was opened by Rajkumar Uday Singh, grand son of the kings's son-in-law. The rest is history and Woodville palace is the pride of Shimla today.

The palace offers its visitors with real glimpses of grandeur of the kings of India and the essence of British Raj. The mood is set for a vintage stay as you walk into the reception and a portrait of Raja Rana Sir Bhagat Chand's welcomes you. The antiques, furniture and decor, all mutely sing the saga of the royal family.

A Vintage Experience

Twenty eight rooms of Woodville capture beautifully the spirit of the bygone era. Designed in the period style, you will not find any two rooms similar here. You can choose from Standard rooms, Royal suite, Princely room, Deluxe rooms, Cottages or Royal Cottages. The vintage ambience of the rooms is awesome. The rosewood, teakwood and ebony furniture look just perfect for the rooms and Persian carpets on the floor add to the elegant look. You cannot ask for more.

The rooms come with all the modern day facilities like telephones and well furnished bathrooms. The rooms with balconies are just perfect to stand with a glass of wine and enjoy the scenic beauty.

Gourmet's Delight

The dining experience at Woodville is just the kind to match the perfect setting of this grand palace hotel. There are many multicuisine restaurants here serving Indian, Continental and regional cuisines that are a gourmet's delight. 'Golden Tiger Lounge' is reminiscent of the 30's of Hollywood. The walls are adorned with several autographed photos of stars. 'Garden's Cafe' is set in the lawns among open surroundings and open spaces.

Recreation At Your Own Pace

There is no dearth of recreation options in Woodville. For those seeking recreation options within the hotel, there is billiards, table tennis and badminton for sports lovers. The hotel also has a rich collection of books in its library so for those in love with books there is no better place to relax.

For nature lovers, the hotel's very own private forests of pine and deodar are best. The forest are rich in flora and fauna and a walk in the scented air, with the birds chirping sound is a serenading experience. The lawns with rose bushes offer a relaxing walk.

Since Shimla has many recreational activities and sports to choose from, guests at Woodville can enjoy these. Trekking, river rafting, skiing (in season), golf and fishing - facilities for all these are available in Shimla.