My trip to Cecil was during my trip to Shimla last month in November.
As it was first trip for my wife and I to the North, we chose Cecil as a safer option for the reasons of health and hygiene.
Before I comment on the Hotel itself, I wish to make a brief reference to the time when we arrived at Kalka from Delhi in Shatabdi. It is perhaps here my experience with Cecil started. We had booked a car pick-up at Kalka for Shimla through the Cecil Hotel.
Although I am not an expert in the Indian Automotive industry, we were introduced to a comfortable and a bit ?posh? looking Mitsubishi Lancer, which was just the kind of break we were looking for after bearing strains of a train journey.
We were greeted by a courteous and very pleasant young local as the driver. Now there is something which most tourists, Indian or otherwise, will recognise when I say that generally Indian hospitality industry at Railway Stations and Airports is so bereft of logic and common sense that in the rush to seek customers? business, they ensure, in their most common way, to wind up the prospective customer from the start.
Irrespective of this common-trait, I realised this guy was different. He wasn?t falling over himself to pay his regards nor was he in any rush. We were offered some juices, fresh at that, before we started off and things couldn?t have been more relaxing. Needless to say we were off to a good start.
We arrived at the hotel in little more than a couple of hours after departure from Kalka. The hotel has a relatively small entrance and which may lead one to some disappointment, as it did to us, because we were expecting the grandeur of a five star hotel.
The disappointment, however, only lasted until we entered the hotel and it is here we noticed the distinction in not only the ambience but also the bespoke hospitality, which, I must admit, feels very flattering. We were welcomed by a well spoken receptionist (without attitude) and some refreshments upon arrival. Whilst our details were being sorted out, we were taken round the hotel to show the facilities and procedures and by the time we arrived at our room in ten minutes or so, our luggage was already in our room with some complementary add-ons.
Amenities in the room were comparable to any other five star hotels therefore I don?t think we need to touch on that, however, it is worth mentioning that the quality of amenities provided in the room was better than what I have experienced in Taj or Radisson (India) or Le Meridien. The hotel has an excellent and a distinct family atmosphere.
Arguably other hotels admit families also. The distinction comes from the facilities it provides for ensuring entire family entertainment within the hotel. Access to free DVDs for any kind of movies for in-room entertainment, free library containing books as old as 150 years and for avid fans of old English (England English) literature, this place offers choices aplenty.
The hotel offers a good sized swimming pool with sauna and Jacuzzi and certainly, again, this was the cleanest and well-placed (looking over the hills and Sun rays passing adding to that morning glory) pool, we had seen in our stays at other hotels.
Restaurant food is excellent and at very competitive prices and most of all, you have access to kids rooms, snookers facilities and other indoor games like chess, cards etc. in all, it was a place where you can simply relax, enjoy and watch the world go by, without stepping out of the hotel (unless you want to go to the Mall for something). In addition you have the option of relaxing of spas and massages, which are genuinely relaxing.
If that is not enough, you have your own balcony, which is wide enough for 2 people to Sun bathe and provides a brilliant view of the hills across. Sunrise and sunset are simply exceptional. The interior of this hotel reminds strongly of days of Raj and depending on which side of the equation you are on and you may like it or hate it. Outside the two categories some may like it simply for its aesthetic beauty. I think I was very much in the third category.
Some of the additional information that might be useful are:
Since the rooms and amenities in the hotel are competitively priced, you would be better off booking hotel car from Kalka to Shimla rather than opting for general taxi or train. General taxis are 35% of Oberoi price and one can easily expect 35% of Oberoi comfort and service also.
If you do choose to travel by train between Kalka to Shimla, the train station is hardly 10 minutes of walk.
For those who are not used to living at an altitude, it may well be a tiring experience but a good one.
Mall is roughly 20 ? 25 minutes walk, but it is an uphill one.
The hotel is located in the secure zone of the city and is heavily fortified by army posts. We were informed that unless you are an army personnel or travelling in Oberoi car, you will not be allowed onto the road.
The view from balcony is breathe-taking and if you are scare of height, don?t look down.
You may be asked to be wary of monkeys but then again they are a charm to watch.
For your emergency medical needs, there is a medicine shop for over the counter drugs and reception staff is all very happy to help. They have Doctor on call facility.
If you know how to play piano, then that is another facility you can enjoy and provide ?family-type? entertainment for other guests.
Lastly except for a few exceptional characters, generally staff is very helpful and very accommodating.
Goodluck, if you choose Cecil in your next trip to Shimla.