Chapslee

I am a travel agent specializing in unique and fascinating destinations in South Asia. I went to northern India to see Shimla and tried to find the most interesting accommodations there. The Chapslee Hotel blew me away with its historic ambience, complete with 19th century furnishings and decor. Not only was it visually amazing, but the experience of staying with a family that had roots to the local history of India was an added treat. And the staff was delightful, taking care of my every need before I even knew what was possible. Excellent food, custom served by the staff on antique china and silverware, transported me back over a century as I savored the flavors of India and the West at the same time. I would return in a heartbeat.

What a place! If you want to be transported to an era nearly 200 years back, this is the place to go to. The decor, style and grandeur evoke a sense of nostalgia and transport you to a forgotten era! The food is sublime and the service extraordinary, something that isn't available at even the finest dining establishments today! An absolute must visit!

An absolutely wonderful three night stay at an authentic heritage hotel that really lived up to its well deserved reputation. ||The Singh family have created a beautiful home that that they share with such generosity and grace. The staff are so kind and friendly, no request is too much for them - including the usual morning tea or coffee in your room before breakfast. ||Our room was comfortable, peaceful and furnished in a style compatible with the heritage of an established (but well maintained) hotel located in the Himalayan foothills. ||Dining at Chapslee is such an enjoyable experience. All dishes are so well prepared and presented - the very best of Indian cuisine in plentiful servings!||Chapslee is located within easy walking distance of central Shimla, making it an excellent base for all local sites, shops and amenities. ||The exemplary comments in the visitor guestbook are testimony to the many satisfied customers who have previously enjoyed the superb kind hospitality of Chapslee.

A perfect end to our first trip to India. We were made to feel so welcome by family and staff. Nothing was too much trouble. |We were also lucky enough to have a guided tour by the owner to explain Chapslee’s history. |The meals were a good selection of Indian, continental and Anglo Indian. All beautifully presented and the staff ensured you wouldn’t go away hungry. |We feel very fortunate to have been able to stay at this lovely hotel, especially as we were upgraded to the Maharajah suite. |The hotel is ideally situated in a quiet area but only ten minutes walk from the Ridge and Shimla centre. |An unforgettable experience of outstanding hospitality. You were made to feel throughly at home. |Thank you again we hope to return.

Amazing stay at Chapslee , Shimla a wonderful heritage gem with outstanding history. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Chapslee over the 3 days, the staff , management made us so welcome , the breakfast and evening dinner was expectational with outstanding service to detail. The food was of very high quality all prepared fresh with plenty of options and choice cooked by the resident chef who has been working at Chapslee over many years. The accommodation was very clean and comfortable and of very high standards with a warm and friendly atmosphere.||Location of the property was ideal and able to walk to various key tourist attractions in central Shimla. ||I would highly recommend this property when visiting Shimla and definitely will be returning for future stays.

Chapslee has my heart and is truly a gem of a place! From the antique furniture to the vintage wallpapers and of course the amazing food, everything was lovely! Every corner has some history and story to tell. The warmth and hospitality that chapslee has to offer is not something you experience elsewhere. The whole chapslee family was delightful and welcoming. I am already dreaming of going back again! Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience!

If you are looking for a sanitised version of a modern hotel Chapslee is not for you but if you have historical imagination then prepare to be overwhelmed. The address on Elysium Hill might be a clue .So step through the back of the wardrobe into this Narnia and you will find something that has not superficially changed for a hundred years. It is a private home full of all the family heirlooms . Everything has a story behind it. The staff are charming and always available. The rooms are comfortable and the bathrooms are more than adequate as is the food. Go with the Indian cuisine which is lovingly prepared.There are some nice touches in the rooms : two brushes and Cherry blossom for your shoes. That rather defines the place. A concession to the modern world ,the internet, worked well . The owner, Kanwar Ratanjit Singh, the erstwhile Maharaja of Kapurthala, introduced himself and sat talking about the history of the home . The family live in a secluded part of the house. We met Kanwars mother who appeared slowly descending the magnificent Burma teak staircase ;a charming lady from a gracious old school.

This small intimate hotel is perfect if you like to stay somewhere unique, with loads of history and character. The owner and staff are all very friendly and helpful. The food and service was perfect and it is ideally situated a short walk from the centre of Shimla. A quiet and relaxing retreat!