The Thistle Lodge

Excellent location to access most things on foot in both directions. Food options close by and walking distance to the train station. Views out over the valley and surrounding hills. Private space with plenty of room. Namita was always available to help with anything we needed and brought our breakfasts to us each morning. Nothing.

Lovely place, very clean and very nice host. She provided breakfast. View over the tolling hills of Shimla. It was December and the room could have been a little warmer according to my partner who always feels the cold!

Good

Good breakfast; met our requirement. Mrs Sood was very cordial and gave a feeling of being at home. View from the property was distorted due to obstacle from another house/lodge in front.

Very thoughtful host. A nice apartment to have as a base when exploring Shimla. Basic facilities that mean you can prepare food (microwave, kettle and sink). Wet room style bathroom. Convenient location. Would recommend.

Namita was an amazing host. nothing

My partner and I had been travelling across India for two weeks and, visiting mostly the country's mega-cities, we were looking forward to get away from the hustle and enjoy some piece and quiet in the mountains. Simla is the perfect cities for this, and the Thistle Lodge the most convenient stay - easily reachable without car (10min walk from the train station and another 15min to the citiy center), a wonderful and very inobtrusive host, the most stunning view over the valley and the mountains, and even two bathrooms! We enjoyed our stay very much.

Nice independent homestay, clean and comfortable. Breakfast served was quite good. probably the host can provide fresh beverages along with the breakfast

Exceptional

The stay absolutely exceeded our expectations - the pics don't do the place justice. It is in fact a little apartment, beautifully located and squeaky clean. We loved everything about it. Namita is an absolute star that made us feel at home and ready to go an extra mile anytime. THANK YOU NAMITA! We will be coming back. all was perfect.

I stayed at Thistle Lodge after my niece’s hectic wedding. My sister and I needed a break where we could chill out and have fun. Its owner Mrs Namita Sood is such a lovely lady we have ever met. She took care of us. She was ever so pleasant to talk and very helpful. She made us Paneer and aloo paratha for breakfast served with yogurt and homemade pickle and strawberry jam which I forgot to take it with me. It was so delicious. Namita I will definitely like to take your mixed mango pickle whenever I come to stay with my family again. I won’t be wasting my time booking anywhere else to stay in Shimla. My sister enjoyed the stay so much that she didn’t want to leave the lodge. Many thanks Namita for your service. Hugs and kisses❤️❤️

Perfect place for people looking for a clean, cosy appartment with a homely feel. Namita(host) is very welcoming and helpful. Best part about the place is the close proximity to mall road, railway station and busstand. I would recommend this place for vacation/staycation

The location, 700m from Mall Road you can take a walk anytime. well maintained and and east facing location you’ll get all the sunlight from morning to evening.

Location and friendly staff

This lodge is in Heritage zone identified by Govt of Himachal Pradesh. Very safe and secure area with offices and guest house of Central Govt dept, state Govt depts, Indian army. Mall road is within 200m range, so completely walkable distance. It's very near to local bus terminal and Shimla railway station. Climb down 100 stairs and you are on the main road. The inside of the property is very nice - enjoy the sun and cool breeze while sitting in the rooms. Kitchen is equipped with microwave, electric kettle, cutlery, RO. Room heater placed is a blessing. Bathrooms are good with geysers and decent fittings. Good size rooms for 4 adults to stay. Thistle lodge is actually a homestay single handedly managed by a landlady. I think they need to hire at least 1 or 2 staff to better cater to the needs of guests. For eg. Booking is inclusive of breakfast, but the breakfast is a very inclusive affair, with very limited options as the lady cooks herself and options are as per her convenience not guests preferences. Also, rates offered by Thistle Lodge for taxi etc are very high as compared to what one can get over Google. Lodge is not accessible by car, either you climb up almost 100 stairs from the main road or you walk downhill from AG Chowk....it may be a concern for senior citizens. Be cautious of monkeys - one monkey actually pounced over my wife while she was enjoying the sun from the terrace and she somehow managed to run and enter the house.