Norbu the Montanna, Dharamshala - Ihcl SeleQtions

Plusses: This hotel is spectacularly sited at the foot of the Himalayas, and is thoughtfully designed to take in the views, such that every room looks out onto the spacious gardens and the mountains. Rooms are spacious, each with a small balcony sitting area. Public spaces are nicely decorated and imaginatively furnished. The pool is heated and lovely for swimming, even if it’s chilly outside. The breakfast buffet offers a wide array of both Western and Indian foods; the dinner buffet is primarily comprised of Indian food, and the staff offered pizza and pasta to us, as well. Everything was very, very tasty and well-prepared. Needs improvement: As a Taj hotel brand, I was expecting the same commitment to sustainability, but this was far from the case. Purified drinking water (produced by Coca Cola) is available only in small 8oz plastic bottles and is provided in the rooms as well as in the restaurant. I drink a lot of water, and went through at least 6-8 of these per day while at the hotel. Wondering if a water purification system could be installed? It would be an industry-leading advance if this were possible. Toiletries are (still) provided in tiny 1 ounce plastic squeeze containers. Although rooms are tastefully furnished, they could use more practicality. For example, there is a paucity of towel racks and no hooks for robes or towels. Towels are artfully rolled, but this lacks utility. Closet hangers are sparsely provided and are inconveniently attached to the rod. (I requested additional hangers, and some conventional hangers were promptly delivered.) There were a couple of shelves in the closet, but no drawers for clothes. Coffee was awful, and took up to 30 minutes at breakfast time; when we inquired, we were told that each cup was individually made using instant coffee powder. This is a beautiful hotel that has tremendous potential because of its spectacular setting but it needs improvement to live up to theTaj brand.

Serene and lovely. One could sit and stare at the mountains all day! The hotel is comfortable, the staff are most warm and helpful, kind and cheerful. We lovvvvved the food, the personalised attention, the custom cooking some days. We ate Himachali food all meals and we still were not satisfied. The cooking is really good. Special mention of Chef Hatheeswar and Chef Maneesh - very warm souls and their goodness is in their cooking. We were guided and advised by Rajesh Thakur and his team -- a very very good bunch of people, and that really helped us plan our days. A hotel we will definitely go back to.

The cultural experience at (norbu the montanna dharmashala) left us with many stories and great memories. The hotel facilities and room services are exceptional. The staff are also accommodating and friendly. I highly recommend because of its clean and comfortable rooms, top-notch amenities, and attentive staff.