We were at Manali 10 years ago and had loved it. We had borrowed a lamb from a shepherd in the countryside and it stayed with us at the Hotel (Highland Park) for three days. What a bundle of fun it was! And neither the hotel nor the guests objected, so pretty was the lamb.
April 2006 we went to Manali again and enjoyed oursselves even more. I can surely vouch that of all hill stations in India, all have deteriorated; only Manali has improved in beauty and amenities. True, early April was a time when the budget tourists hadn’t arrived, but it was still ethereal.
We stayed at Himachal Tourism’s Log Huts. Except the trickle of water in the taps, they stay was extremely comfortable. And unlike the food available on the Mall (you have to be really hungry to be able to eat any of it) , it was very palatable at the Log Huts. Surprised? We were too, considering the reputation of government run establishments. The gurgle of the Beas on one hand and the snow-peaked mountains when you looked out of the window...... we were speechless when we first experienced it.
Our long trip covered Delhi/ Simla/ Manali/ Chandigarh/ Delhi (one-night stopover at Chandigarh) by car. The roads were just about fine all through. One should not miss at least a lunch at the Timber Trail.
We did paragliding at Manali. Another first for us, soaring like birds above the most pristine inhabited valley in the world. However, the two hour steep mountain climb to get to the take off point for paragliding was tiring (if the weather’s too bad for flying, don’t forget, you’ll have to climb down the same way). A ropeway/ trolley car, etc., would give a sure fillip to this exhilarating sport.
Like most modern tourist spots, locals and especially the tour operators are waiting to make a quick buck - an ounce of attention paid to this universal fact can save you some money. Otherwise, the people in the area are helpful and travel is safe and pleasant.
All said and done, a final word of caution to all travellers to this area - DO NOT depend on Jagson Airlines - it is no airline at all; and added to that, they have a reputation for regularly off-loading passengers when someone known to them/ government big-wig wants to fly. Courtesy, service or schedules are unknown to Jagson people. I hear Deccan has plans to fly the Delhi/ Bhuntar route - May Goddess Hadimba make it a reality for people who have unwittingly bought Jagson tickets.
I wanna go back to Manali!
P.S. I overlooked that this thread was on Holiday Inn, Manali. Realized it too late. My post is on Manali in general. Admin, if it bothers anyone, please move it to the right spot, please. Sorry all, for any inconvenience.