Originally owned by James Craddock known as the ‘Architect and Builder of Shimla’ this three acre estate established in the year 1871 is a landmark in Shimla. The estate spells history and exemplifies an era of gracious living.In a fitting tribute to the memory of its original owner, the building was redesigned into a 4 Star Hotel in Shimla endowed with all modern amenities and comforts effortlessly blending into the surrounding landscape and enhancing its beauty. This Hotel in Shimla mall road is beautifully tucked into the lap of nature and offers an ideal mix of picturesque scenery along with close proximity to the buzzing Mall Road. An ideal blend of modern amenities in a heritage property, this luxury hotel in Shimla comes well within your budget. So be it a family vacation, honeymoon, adrenaline packed adventure trip or a corporate getaway- we promise you an enjoyable stay in Shimla.
Consistently awarded the ‘Certificate of Excellence’ from Tripadvisor, this hotel in Shimla has also been crowned as one of the Top 10 Jewel Hotels of India.With the two in house eateries rated as top restaurants in Shimla on Tripadvisor – Café Simla Times and Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar – the hotel offers the best eating experience in Shimla. For a complete Himalayan rejuvenation at the Hotel, visit Akasa Spa at the hotel, our beauty salon and gym or drop in to the billiards and pool for recreation at leisure. With a banquet hall to accommodate up to 500 pax, the hotel is an ideal venue for conferences and weddings in Shimla.
With essential services like a Doctor on call, Travel desk, Laundry and Room Service and easy elevator access through the property – the service is personalized and dedicated hospitality ensures you a memorable stay in Shimla.
DELUXE ROOM
Tastefully decorated, each room is furnished with a king size bed, wooden flooring, dresser, LED TV, well lit bathroom, shower and full length bath tub. Located at the front of the hotel, these rooms offer views of Shimla’s iconic mall road. All rooms are equipped with conveniences of the highest standard such as 24 hour in room dining, electronic safe for valuables, wide range of TV channels, high speed internet in common areas of the hotel, tea and coffee machine, hair dryer, moveable shaving mirror, mini fridge, heated rooms in winters and hot water available all year round.
SUPER DELUXE ROOM
Tastefully decorated, each room is furnished with a king size bed, wooden flooring, dresser, LED TV, well lit bathroom, shower and full length bath tub. From the windows and the small balcony of the room, guests can enjoy uninterrupted panoramas of the dramatic Shimla valley cloaked in evergreen cedar trees. All rooms are equipped with conveniences of the highest standard such as 24 hour in room dining, electronic safe for valuables, wide range of TV channels, high speed internet in common areas of the hotel, tea and coffee machine, hair dryer, moveable shaving mirror, mini fridge, heated rooms in winters and hot water available all year round.
PREMIUM ROOM
Tastefully decorated, each room is furnished with a king size bed, wooden flooring, dresser, LED TV, well lit bathroom, shower and full length bath tub. From the comfort of the premium room, guests can take in views of the sweeping mountains and the cedar rich valleys. These rooms have seating in the balconies so you can relax in the comfort of an armchair and watch the weather roll dramatically over the valley. All rooms are equipped with conveniences of the highest standard such as 24 hour in room dining, electronic safe for valuables, wide range of TV channels, high speed internet in common areas of the hotel, tea and coffee machine, hair dryer, moveable shaving mirror, mini fridge, heated rooms in winters and hot water available all year round.
INTERCONNECTED FAMILY ROOMS
Ideal for a family of four visiting Shimla, this is a large suite room that has a king size bed and a pull out sofa cum bed that provides comfortable space for four members of a family. It has two bathrooms, one of which has an in-build Jacuzzi. The rooms offer brilliant views of the valley and towering cedar trees of Shimla. All rooms are equipped with conveniences of the highest standard such as 24 hour in room dining, electronic safe for valuables, wide range of TV channels, high speed internet in common areas of the hotel, tea and coffee machine, hair dryer, moveable shaving mirror, mini fridge, heated rooms in winters and hot water available all year round.
PREMIUM ROOMS WITH KITCHENETTE
Our premium rooms with kitchenette are tastefully decorated with a king size bed, adorned with a unique four poster design and walls adorned with earthy materials like brick, stone and wood. These rooms have a hot and cold air conditioning system, large LED TV and access to a private garden in the hills. All rooms are equipped with conveniences of the highest standard such as 24 hour in room dining, electronic safe for valuables, wide range of TV channels, high speed internet in common areas of the hotel, tea and coffee machine, hair dryer, moveable shaving mirror, mini fridge, heated rooms in winters and hot water available all year round.
Eighteen71 Cookhouse and Bar
ENJOY DINING AT THE BEST RESTAURANT IN SHIMLA
Established in April 2016, Eighteen71 cookhouse and bar, the newest multi- cuisine restaurant in Shimla at Hotel Willow Banks, derives its name from the year the property dates back to. The decor beautifully combines classic elements of wood, leather, and metal – with contemporary and modern design – to create a regal and plush ambience that allows for an unparalleled dining experience. This cookhouse and bar in Shimla serves Pan Indian, Oriental cuisine and live grills along with a bar that dishes out some innovative cocktails! The mood and energy of the place changes as the day unfold – starting with a lavish buffet spread at breakfast, a laid-back lunch and has a lounge-like vibe in the evening with the high energy music and mood lighting. In keeping with the theme of the restaurant – the food also retains its classic flavors, while the presentation is a contemporary twist that adds to the excitement of dining here.
The menu at this best restaurant in shimla has an Indian spread like none other – not only does it include the much loved Mughlai but goes beyond to also have the best dishes from across India at this restaurant – Bengali curries, Parsi specialties, Chettinad flavors and Rajasthani delights. The Oriental spread is authentic and dishes span across Chinese, Thai, Malay and Burmese. Live grills are the icing on the cake and the menu sets the restaurant apart from others in the city. And in the spread of desserts, the Paan Kulfi is a must try! And the theatrics continue to the bar too! For the first time, Eighteen71 brings an interesting spread of innovative cocktails and mocktails to the city. The restaurant at Willow Banks hotel in Shimla also hosts musical evenings with a nice mix of English and Hindi retro numbers and plans to soon host comedy nights too!
Café Simla Times
GRAB A BOOK AND A CUP OF COFFEE AT THE BEST CAFES IN SHIMLA
Café Simla Times (estd. April 2015) is a bistro within Hotel Willow Banks. It's a kitchen, bakery, and bar that offers the best of gourmet food and drinks in Shimla in a casual, friendly and warm ambiance that makes for a memorable dining experience.
It offers everything in food and drinks that was missing in Shimla. It’s a cozy cafe in shimla on mall road where you can grab a book and spend your afternoon that turns into a lounge in the evenings as you sit at the open bar, sip your beer and watch the sunset over the hills while listening to the live music by local bands. With a mix of indoor and outdoor seating – the terrace is the highlight as it overlooks the best of Shimla! Named after the first newspaper publication of the city - The Simla Times; Shimla comes alive on the walls and ceiling of the café through art that captures must visit places in the city. With the best of ingredients and freshly cooked food – the café serves a mix of cuisines- Italian, Mexican, Lebanese, North Indian, Chinese and Thai. All the food is served pre-plated with a presentation that elevates the entire experience of the meal. Must haves include the wood fired oven pizzas, shakes, and desserts! Weekend nights are much awaited with live musical gigs done by local Shimla bands – across genres- retro, sufi, Himachali etc. Evenings are fun for couples, families and kids alike. And of course, the café dons magical white attire as the winter snow falls!
Akasa Spa
REJUVENATE YOURSELF AT THE BEST SPA IN SHIMLA AT HOTEL WILLOW BANKS
The complete Himalayan rejuvenation experience – Akasa spa has trained therapists for a variety of indulgent massages from Balinese to Swedish and is equipped with a sauna, steam and jacuzzi that completes the experience. The spa therapies have been inspired by a fusion of traditional Indian Ayurveda and modern massage techniques. Therapists proficiently use their thumbs, palm, fingers and knuckles to deeply soothe strained muscles and joints. A relaxing massage is bound to recharge you for another day of walking and exploring Shimla’s beautiful architecture, food and enviable weather. It is truly the pampering you need on your Himalayan vacation – a much needed break from the hectic city life. A session at Akasa spa Hotel Willow Banks not only rejuvenates the body and mind, but also the soul. After assessing their current physical health of each guest, the therapist goes on to provide a personalized therapy for best results. Popular therapies are as follows:-
Head Massage: This luxuriant hair invigorating treatment is believed to promote hair growth, restore the natural sheen and glossiness of the hair fibre. Our signature blend of traditional ingredients is known to propagate long lasting and enriching benefits.
Foot Massage: An ancient healing (acupressure ) therapy that is as blissfull as beneficial, reflexology works on the principle that all body organs are connected to reflex points in the feet via constantly flowing energy channels.
Aromatherapy massage: Enjoy the dual benefits of a body massage and aromatherapy. A soothing body massage involving the use of long kneading strokes over your body. The aroma from the essential aromatic oils will stimulate your mind and ease the mental stress. Experience a feeling of absolute relaxation and wellness.
Deep tissue massage: Deep tissue massage is particularly effective for people with muscular pain. Massage helps to refresh and relax muscles, increasing the blood flow and therefore the oxygen flow around your body. This helps to get rid of toxins in very sore and strained muscles which helps them to strengthen and heal.
Couple Regal escape: Two therapists perform a romantic, candle light sensual massage, using evocative oils to set the mood. Performed using specially blended massage oils, gentle and healing hands of our therapists will help to calm down the nervous system, warm and relax muscles and promote the growth of healthy, new skin cells, ultimately resulting in total relaxation and suppleness of skin.
Beauty Salon
ENHANCE YOUR NATURAL LOOK AT THE BEST SALON IN SHIMLA
Our salon offers a wide range of professional services for hair, skin care and make up in Shimla. Do come in and pamper yourself on this Himalayan vacation!
HAIR
Hair cutting is an art form & foundation for styling the hair. It gives shape and structure to hairstyles. Without a good, professional cut, styling has no basis. When designing a cut, you need four important aspects: precision, good technique, creativity and a sense of balance. It incorporates balance, line, and movement and face shape. At The Willows, all stylists have been trained to cut hair in a structured and formal learning process. We give unique and personalized haircuts that flatter your face. Our stylists always focus on highlighting your unique angles to bring out the best in your features. We also understand the importance of healthy hair and thus take utmost care while choosing the colour for your hair. You can choose from a huge palette of ammonia free hair colours and also go for personalized consultation by our hairstylists. They will help you choose the best colour to suit your complexion, face shape and overall persona. Ever dreamt of changing the natural texture of your hair? Get those lustrous curls turned into straight smooth hair or just some curly locks to enhance your frame. You choose the look & we will transform your look the way you want. Right from smooth, silky, ultra soft, straight to bouncy lustrous curls. Come visit us to know more about the service.
MAKE UP
For a woman, make-up is about enhancing the beauty and looks. Our specialized makeup services are a beauty accessory for many of our customers. The creative touch of our makeup artists can bring out the best in you. Avail our exclusive range of makeup services according to the occasion, Hair Style, Sari drape, Nail extension and nail art n many more at our salon.
PRE BRIDAL SERVICES
Groom yourself for that special day. Looking beautiful is the most important thing for every woman. A Perfect looking wedding needs a perfect looking bride. Plan your pre- bridal hair, beauty, skin with our complete packages which includes Body Scub, Body Wrap, Skin ritual, Hair Ritual, Body Wax, Spa Manicure, Spa Pedicure and just about everything a brides need to look her best. Explore, Relax and rejuvenate the beauty of complete wellness. From head to toe, all your bridal beauty needs will be taken care of.
SKIN RITUALS
Indulging in skin rituals helps in maintaining a healthy skin. Many factors like biological ageing, exposure to weather changes, stressful mind, frequent flying or harsh exposure to environmental condition compromise the health & beauty of your skin. This is why we believe in using unique, exclusive, luxury brands which are rich in ingredients, creative, innovative & formulated with the best technology. These brands are curative to all skin types such as over active oil glands, pigmentation, age spots, fine lines, wrinkles & scars. Come start your day by pampering yourself or relax after a hard day at work with our Spa Manicure & Pedicure. We use high quality products to keep your hands as well as your feet smooth, soft & supple. Manicure & Pedicure helps increase the blood circulation and keeps distress at bay. We assure you a great experience at our salon with soaking, exfoliation, massage, masque and a moisturizer.
Gym
MAKE FITNESS A PRIORITY AT THE GYM IN HOTEL WILLOW BANKS
To ensure you don’t give your workout a skip while on holiday – this well equipped gym gives you all you need for your daily dose of cardio and strength training. The Gym aims to create awareness to help one’s body, mind and spirit achieve peak performance. Our in-house instructors assess an individual’s need and create personalized workout schedules.
Sports Bar
FUN FILLED COMPILATION OF GAMES AT THE SPORTS BAR IN SHIMLA
One of a kind experience in Shimla, Score- The vintage sports bar. Designed for you to let your hair down after a busy day sightseeing and shopping. For you to bond with your friends and family. For you to PLAY . DRINK . EAT : all those things that make a holiday fun! Billiards, pool, table tennis, carrom, darts and live match screening! A place that is always fun and there’s never a dull moment – a perfect spot to catch up with a bud over a match. A classic decor coupled with a world cuisine menu and drinks makes it the perfect spot to sit back and relax. A sports bar is a place where one can eat, drink and interact while watching the latest televised sports event. On the whole, a sports bar is an entertainment packed destination for the sports lovers and the people who love to socialize on these issues. And Score is a classic sports bar to meet friends and sports lovers. Embedded with pool tables and dart boards, this place is a well -known place in Delhi offering a blending menu, cocktails and chilled beer. Providing a wholesome entertainment experience, a sports bar is an ideal place to unwind after a hectic day at work. It's a complete chill out zone where you can spend time playing various sports and watch live matches, all in the company of great food and drinks. Head on over after work tonight, maybe?!
Travel Desk
PLAN YOUR SIGHTSEEING IN AN AROUND SHIMLA
For all bus, train, air ticketing and cab related requirements, feel free to reach out to the travel desk. To enjoy the real Shimla - do remember to book yourself for a walking tour or sight seeing trip around town!
Imperial Ballroom & Terrace at Hotel Willow Banks, Shimla
If you are looking for a venue for wedding or corporate offsite or exhibition in Shimla - look no further. Hotel Willow Banks offers you a one of a kind indoor -outdoor banquet space of 8500 sq.ft ideal for hosting weddings, corporate events, exhibitions, fashion shows, concerts, art exhibitions and flea markets in Shimla. The banquet area has a brilliant view of all of Shimla town and overlooks the hills and popular attractions of the city. The area can accomodate over 500 people. Hotel Willow Banks is the ideal venue for hosting weddings, MICE conferences, exhibitions and film shootings.
WEDDINGS IN SHIMLA
If you are looking for a gorgeous offbeat wedding destination away from all the pollution and stress of the metros, then a wedding in Shimla is the answer to all your wishes. And Hotel Willow Banks will take care of all that you can enjoy the most memorable event of your life. We promise you a beautiful wedding in the hills – a ‘one of a kind’ and ‘largest in Shimla’ indoor-outdoor banquet area, delectable food across cuisines, luxurious ambience and the most picturesque view that will make your wedding photographs totally instagrammable without any filters!
Unique Indoor Outdoor Banquet Area: If your dream wedding is one where you have an outdoor mandap overlooking the age old pines and majestic Himalayas – then a wedding at Hotel Willow Banks, Shimla is what you have been looking for! With banquet halls large enough to accomodate over 500 people – you can choose the kind of wedding you want – ranging from simple and elegant to traditional, royal and extravagant. The perfect wedding destination Hotel Willow Banks has an indoor outdoor banquet area that offers a picturesque backdrop of the hills and the popular landmarks of Shimla for all your functions.
Prominent Location at the Mall Road: Hotel Willow Banks is located on the main heritage Mall Road – the most prime location in Shimla and easy elevator access is available to the banquet area. The hotel is also just 100m away from the largest car parking in the city- the Shimla central car park. Park your vehicles here & we will arrange for a special welcome and easy elevator access to the hotel!
Any theme of your choice!: With elegant options of decor – we can literally create any kind of wedding theme that you have in mind. The beautiful tune of Shehnai and the drum of the Dhol signify the spirit of the Indian shaadi while the floral arrangements of orchids, roses and lilies bring forth the beauty of the Shimla valleys. Entertainment ranges from folk music to live bands to dhol evenings and DJ dance parties to ensure the fun never stops!
Unmatched quality of food – Best in Shimla: With two of the best restaurants of the city within the hotel – Cafe Simla Times and Eighteen71,Cookhouse & Bar – Hotel Willow Banks is known for its food – unmatched quality, innovative presentation and diverse range of cuisines on offer from Mughlai, Chinese to Thai, Mexican, Italian and lots more. We share your love for food and will ensure each function has a spread to remember!
Rooms and facilities for wedding guests – Lots to keep them comfortable and entertained!: Wedding guests can also spend their time golfing, horse riding, trekking and using in-house recreation like the billiards, TT, jacuzzi, steam, professional spa, sauna, salon, gym etc when they are not occupied in the wedding ceremonies.
EXHIBITIONS IN SHIMLA
If you are looking for a space to exhibit your products in Shimla – look no further! Hotel Willow Banks is the ideal space for your exhibitions in Shimla. With a sprawling 8500 sq. ft of indoor-outdoor space overlooking the majestic hills, age old pines and all the popular tourist attractions of Shimla, it makes for a memorable shopping experience. For exclusive exhibitions in apparel, lifestyle and home decor or a B2B trade event or a curated flea market or a fashion show in the hills – Hotel Willow Banks offers you one of a kind space for your exhibition in Shimla. Located centrally on the Main Mall Road and with easy elevator access from the Car park (just 100m away) – it is an ideal location for tourists and locals alike.
MOVIE SHOOTINGS IN SHIMLA
Shimla, one of the most beautiful cities in India also happens to be one of the favourite destinations for movie shootings. Movie shootings in Shimla are popular among many Bollywood and Punjabi film makers. Snow-capped mountains, Green meadows, colourful flowerbed, cool climate throughout the year, friendly locals, easy policies by the state government, colonial monuments etc. are the factors that make it perfect for movie shootings in Shimla. Over time various movies like Tamasha, Shoebite, Jab we met have been shot at Hotel Willow Banks and the most recent addition to the list is the Mastercard TV commercial with M.S.Dhoni and Pankaj Kapoor.
MICE (MEETINGS, INCENTIVES, CONFERENCING, EXHIBITS)
With a high inventory of rooms and central location – The hotel is ideal for team buildings, R&R events and conferences. Shimla is an ideal venue for offsites and team building events. Conveniently accessible from any major city of India – Shimla offers great weather all year round and lots of activities to indulge in from trekking, river rafting and golf to in house training sessions, billiards, table tennis, badminton, pool, carom, darts. Any kind of theatre or cluster seating can be arranged at our indoor outdoor banquet hall cum terrace. The area can accommodate over 500 guests.
