Must-see hotels in Dharamsala

Up a lane near the Tsuglagkhang, Chonor House is an 18-room gem run by the Norbulingka Institute, whose wonderful handmade furnishings and fabrics are…

Unsigned down steps from the top end of Nowrojee Rd, this outwardly unremarkable, three-storey building in magenta and apricot is a delightful surprise…

Friendly, secluded Trimurti is rare in maintaining the essence of 'old' Dharamkot. Its eight neat, spotless rooms are centred on a lovely green garden but…

This appealingly lonely forest hideaway 1km north of McLeod has large, spotless, comfortable cottages set around the charming owner's 1907 colonial-era…

This place offers a trippy environment of mural-daubed walls for those who can handle all the steps. The 13 rooms feature 6in mattresses and there are…

Set in the gorgeous Norbulingka gardens, Norling House offers 13 fairy-tale rooms richly decked out with Tibetan artwork and Buddhist handicrafts from the…

Across the street from Vashnu Mata Temple, rooms in Sky Pie's guesthouse section are decent budget options, while those in its hotel building next door…

In a peaceful yet accessible spot towards the top of Dharamkot, this great-value, three-storey guesthouse has fine views from its wide front lawn and the…

An enduring favourite with midrange travellers and small groups, Green Hotel has a diverse range of sunny, superclean rooms in three buildings, most with…

The location atop a small shopping mall seems inauspicious, but comfortably stylish rooms are about the best you'll find in Dharamsala and, if you splash…

One of five guesthouses up a flight of steps off TIPA Rd, Tibetan-run Kalsang has spartan rooms along four pot-planted terraces that get breezier and more…

Unusually sophisticated for Dharamkot, this smart new 14-room place has quality beds, kettles, wood-effect furniture and fine views from balconies,…

Hard to beat for views from its better rooms and from the pot-plant 'garden' terrace, Moon Walk's rooms have comfy beds and low-tech furniture that hints…

Especially if the multi-globe chandeliers are alight, The Vaikunth's expansive marble lobby offers an impressively stylish welcome, perused by a long…

Built in 1928, this former seasonal retreat of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir is given character by its distinctive octagonal corner-pieces. The lawn…

Spacious older rooms with parquet floors and functional furniture have been given a good splash of colour and elements of Tibetan design through patterned…

In an area of mostly more upmarket hotels, Kareri is a friendly, family guesthouse with five spotless, comfy rooms, four of them enjoying great long…

Friendly, family-run Om, down an outwardly unpromising lane from the main square, has simple but pleasing rooms with good views. Its lovely cafe-terrace…

Above (and below) Nick’s Italian Kitchen, where you check in, Kunga's maze of sub-buildings offers a huge range of rooms from big and bright if sparse, to…

In an alley off Jogiwara Rd, this bargain cheapy is run by a Tibetan monastery in Karnataka. All rooms have hot shower, with the three rooftop options…