Wildflower Hall, Shimla

Location

Wildflower Hall – once Lord Kitchener’s private estate, back when he was Commander-in-Chief of India – is dizzyingly perched more than 8,000 feet up in the Himalayan foothills, surrounded by 22 acres of virgin pine, cedar and deodar forest. With some of the most stupefying views in all of India, it’s the kind of place that will make you forevermore question the use of phrases like ‘breathtaking vistas’ and ‘spectacular panoramas’.

Accommodation

If you can take your eyes off the views long enough to notice the rooms, you’ll find all feature teak floors, hand-knotted rugs and rich furnishings that reflect the hotel’s colonial heritage. They also come with a private butler, personal bar, satellite TV, DVD player and a spacious marble bathroom. The much-in-demand Kitchener Suite has a four-poster bed in the master bedroom, a fireplace, two smaller bedrooms and a separate living room.

Dining

With two restaurants, the resort offers the choice of fine Pan-Asian and Continental cuisine at The Restaurant, or traditional Indian cooking at Lutyens, which has Old World interiors and garden views. To relax and unwind in the evening, visit The Cavalry Bar for a 'chota peg', the name given to a shot of whiskey or brandy during the days of the Raj.

Facilities

The fantastic spa offers Ayurvedic treatments, Asian and Western therapies, and restful views over the surrounding forests and mountains. A fully equipped gym and indoor pool complete the wellness experience, and there’s a library and games room with billiards and cards. Hiking, mountain biking, rafting and horse riding are all also available.