The Oberoi Cecil Hotel
Colonial charm,
Sweeping Himalayan views
Couples,
Families
In the Himalayan mountains, the 130-year-old Oberoi Cecil Hotel offers its guests and visitors spectacular mountain and valley views from its exclusive grounds.
The grand heritage hotel retains the colonial charm of its heyday during the British Raj and is located at the quiet end of Mall Road, ideally placed for exploring Shimla on foot.
This hotel was modernised in the late 1990s to an extremely high standard, but it might be considered slightly dated in the new millennium. If you’re looking for a sleek and modern experience, you’d be better off at the Wildflower Hall, which is close by. Otherwise, enjoy classic Colonial comforts and gorgeous views at the Oberoi Cecil.
Shimla was the summer capital during the British Raj in the 19th century, the hill destination of choice for the upper crust of India.
Today, the city’s tourism still thrives, and holiday-makers frequent the winding main street and narrow alleyways, particularly in the warmer months. The Mall and the Ridge are great examples of Shimla’s quaint Victorian architecture. You can poke through temples, monasteries, churches, and bazaars.
At the Oberoi Cecil Hotel, book a relaxing spa treatment, grab a cocktail at the Cedar Bar, take the Colonial Heritage walk, or enjoy valley views from Shimla’s only temperature-controlled indoor swimming pool.
The Rooms
There are 79 rooms, all decorated with classic polished wood and brass fittings. Air-conditioning and heating are standard, and the Tudor Wing is particularly good for families. All the rooms and suites are extremely comfortable, and many of them have superb views.
What You’ll Find:
Why You'll Love It:
Explore ETG's Sample Itineraries in India
A few of our favourite routes, hand-picked by the team and ripe for tweaking.
Think of them as conversation starters. Curiosity sparkers. Not fixed plans, just ideas for what your holiday could look like, shaped by years of local know-how and the kind of immersive experiences that live long in the memory.
India
Footsteps of The Raj
This unique itinerary takes in the North of India including Delhi and the former summer capital of the British Raj, Shimla. In the countries east, you’ll explore multi-cultural Lucknow and Kolkatta, the former capital of British India.
Countryside adventures will take you to the Himalayas in the North and rural West Bengal in the east, giving you a flavour of the diversity of landscape found in India combined with a taste of its urban diversity as influenced by the British Empire.
Highlights
Kolkata
Explore Kolkata, the former capital of British India, on an insightful walking tour through its historic streets
Himalayas
Journey aboard the narrow-gauge “toy train”, winding through forested hills and charming hillside villages
Shali Tibba
Trek to the summit of Shali Tibba in the Himalayas, surrounded by sweeping mountain views
Gallery
The Oberoi Cecil on the map
In Our Travellers’ Words
Experience Travel Group live up to their name
Immersive India
Fantastic holiday, excellently planned
The Curious Traveller’s Expert Guide to India
Want to know more? With its vast size, rich diversity, and countless possibilities, planning a holiday to India can feel overwhelming – so we’ve created our Curious Traveller’s Guide to India to help make sense of it all.
It’s our experts’ pick of standout experiences and places to stay, with honest advice on the best regions and tips for both first-time visitors and those returning for more.
