Nainital is a small yet picturesque hill station set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake called Naini Lake after which the hill station is named. Naini Lake divides the hill station into two parts, Tallital and Mallital. Tallital is the area south of the lake, while Mallital consists of the northern upper reaches. You will find residences and hotels built on the mountain slopes all around the lake.

For people of Delhi/NCR, Nainital is like a backyard. Feeling bored or got nothing to do over the weekend or the weather is hot, any excuse will make them head towards Nainital. I still remember my first trip to Nainital, how a couple of my friends and I was feeling stressed by our new jobs. While we met for a hangout after office hours, a few hours later we were sitting on a bus, heading to Nainital.

We checked into a hotel on Mall road with a splendid view of lake and hills. Enjoyed our morning tea on the terrace restaurant of our hotel while we could see clouds floating over the lake, with boats getting lost in the clouds and re-appearing when they passed, A Majestic View. However, this experience came at a cost and literally burned holes in our pockets.

Over the years, I realized that hotels that are situated right on Mall Road are more expensive than the rest and are the ones to be avoided if you are traveling on a budget.

Go further deep on the Mall road and you will find excellent hotels at a decent price. These hotels are accessible and are close to most of the tourist attractions than the ones on Mall Road. Whether you want to visit China Peak, Cave Gardens, Trek in the mountains, or go boating in the Naini Lake; these hotels are near and well connected to most of the local attractions in Nainital.

Here is a brief list of recommendable hotels, based on their Service, View, and Price:

  • Hotel New Payal – Ask for rooms with balcony, enjoy the grand view of Nainital
  • Hotel Himalaya – Place with perfect Lake View
  • Balrampur House – On the first impression, it seems to be outside the budget. Surrounded by garden and great hill view. It’s pretty near all the activities but secluded enough to be quite peaceful
  • The Pavilion – Heritage property opposite to High Court, recommended for families.

You can also stay outside Nainital, at Sattal or Naukuchiatal which have resort category properties at affordable and within striking distance of Nainital. As Nainital is a popular hill station, the charges of the hotels may vary during On and Offseason time. Nainital is packed heavily during summers, owing to its wonderful weather and natural beauty. Winter kicks in from October and is the best time for those want to enjoy the snow-covered landscape of Nainital.

Get ready to rejuvenate in the lap of nature with access to all the modern amenities and blissful weather. You can also pick a homestay for your staycation, it will be easy on your pocket while you also get to savor the lip-smacking local flavors.

Photo Credit: HolidayIQ, WRDT, and Unsplash