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| Rooms in iLbert Manor are named after personalities like Rudyard Kipling, General Frederick Young and Jim Corbett |
One of the highlights of colonial architectural legacy in Uttarakhand are the heritage hotels and resorts in the state – from destinations like Mussoorie to Nainital and Ranikhet to Kasauni. These properties provide a great opportunity to tour operators in the region to offer exclusive experiences to the tourists who want to relive the luxury of another era. Each of these properties have interesting stories associated with them, often becoming a part of the local lore. “Our clientele are very interested in staying at many of the famous heritage hotels in Uttarakhand, which were erstwhile colonial manor houses and manions,” says Dipen Nath, owner of Nainital headquartered Suniti Tour & Travels.
Heritage retreats
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| The Savoy has hosted many dignitaries including Queen Mary and Nobel Prize writer Pearl S Buck |
Mussoorie was known as the ‘pleasure capital of the Raj’ and was a popular retreat for the British. One of the highpoints of the cultural milieu of those times was to either stay or be seen at one of the society do’s at The Savoy hotel. Now an ITC Fortune property, The Savoy in Mussoorie, built in English Gothic architectural style, has hosted many dignitaries in its centuries old history including Queen Mary and Nobel Prize writer Pearl S Buck. The hotel which was opened in 1902, is famous for its resident ghost – Lady Garnet Orme, who is believed to still walk the corridors of the grand mansion. The story goes that Lady Orme died of poisoning and more than a century later continues to search for her murderer.
Built in 1840, Ilbert Manor (formerly Bracely estate) is located at a height of 7000 feet above sea level in a forest of deodar and oak trees in Mussoorie. The property offers three categories of rooms – Victorian room, Imperial room and Colonial Suite. The property takes great pride in paying a tribute to the pioneers who made Mussoorie hills famous – all the rooms are named after personalities like Rudyard Kipling, General Frederick Young and Jim Corbett. Constructed in the year 1840 by Captain GN Cauthy as his residence, Rokeby Manor is another property in Mussoorie that is today a heritage hotel of repute, which showcases authentic 19th century architecture and décor.
Ranikhet is the only cantonment town built by the British that has a heritage status. The small township is dotted with quaint churches and many properties built during those times. One of the most well known properties is the Windsor Lodge. A hunting lodge built in 1909, it was devastated in a fire, till the painstaking restoration work began in 1999. Today the 26-room WelcomHeritage property is a perfect place to stay and explore Uttarakhand, with Almora, Kasauni, Nainital and Bhimtal being within 60 km. Bob’s Place in Nathuakhan, Nainital district, is a WelcomHeritage Nature Resort. It is located in the heart of the Kumaon Himalayas at 6200 feet in a valley, amidst a terraced garden and fruit orchard. All the rooms and suites have a sit-out area and on a clear day guests can see the magnificent peaks of the Himalayas. Mukteshwar is at a distance of about 30 km.
Chevron Hotels has many heritage properties in Uttarakhand spread over southern to eastern part of the Kumaon region. The destinations include Nainital, Ranikhet, Kausani, Mukteshwar and Corbett. Fairhavens in Nainital, Rosemount in Ranikhet, Mountain Villa in Kausani are among the well known properties.
It is not just the grand mansions of the British Raj, but also smaller properties that are perfect homestay locations for the experiential traveller. At Smetaceks’ Colonial Homestay in Bhimtal, guests can experience the old-world charm of India’s colonial era. The owners try to to keep alive the heritage of the Himalayas in the 19th century property. Guests get to try out old colonial family recipes or can take a leisurely walk to the quaint colonial church in Bhimtal. The Smetaceks’ Colonial Homestay is located on a hillock in Bhimtal; the closest railway station and bus stop is at Kathgodam (about 21 km or one hour by taxi). The nearest domestic airport is at Jolly Grant (near Dehradun), and the nearest international airport is in Delhi. Among the well known colonial architecture in Uttarakhand is the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun that was established in 1906 as Imperial Forest Research Institute. While the oldest Christian church in the Himalayas, St Mary’s, is situated above Mall Road in Mussoorrie, St John’s Church in Nainital was established and named in 1844 by the Bishop of Calcutta. Institutions like St George’s College (1853) and Oak Grove School (1888) have an impressive architectural legacy.
