Important Hotels in Nainital

There are lots of hotels in Nainital and I am sure it is difficult to find the right hotel here. I will try and list some of the important hotels in Nainital.

Hotel Tariff Above Rs. 5,000/- per Night

1. Hotel Vikram Nainital: This is arguably the only All Suite Hotel in Nainital. Situated in the VIP area of Mallital, Hotel Vikram boasts of LCD TVs in all rooms (See attached Pic).

2. The Manu Maharani: Manu Maharni hotel in Nainital is now run by DS group, the manufacturers of Rajnigandha and Baba Brand. Situated in Mallital, this is the most expensive hotel in Nainital.

3. Shervani Hilltop: The new Shervani Hotel is one of the most luxurious hotel in Nainital.

Hotel Tariff Below Rs. 5,000/- per Night

1. Earl's Court Hotel: A small heritage hotel now run by Leisure Hotels.

2. Hotel Pavilion Nainital: A family run small hotel. The hotel owners Ritu and Manu are lovely people and will take special care of you.

3. Balrampur Hotel: Balrampur House was the summer residence of the Maharaja of Balrampur. Now converted into a nice heritage hotel.

The hotels listed above are tried and tested by us and best in their categories.

Boating in Nainital

Life is a boat in Nainital! The dancing waters of this beautiful lake attract a lot of tourists to explore it further in a boat. Sometimes I fail to understand why I go for boating everytime I am Nainital...But then I also know that Naini lake commands this respect.

You can hire pedal boats but then I guess its too much of a task for those who are not fit. I have seen people go deep into the lake and then struggle to come back. The better idea is to hire a row boat which comes along with a fit pahari guy who is capable of rowing it all day long.

I have not seen too many people hiring a yacht...probably not many know that one can easily hire a yacht from The Boat Club (on the mall road) for only Rs. 250 - 300. The experience is simply awesome but only two people can sit in a yacht. Recommended specially for all those honeymooners :)

Trafiic Rules in Nainital Mall

This piece of information is very important for those who are driving to Nainital.

During May, June and October, heavy vehicles are barred from 0800 hrs to 1130 hrs and 1430 hrs to 2230 hrs. Light vehicles are barred from 1800 hrs to 2200 hrs.

A toll tax of Rs. 25/- (till 1500 hrs) and Rs. 50/- (after 1500 hrs) per car has to be paid to enter Mall Road.

November to April, Light vehicles are not allowed from 1800 hrs to 2000 hrs. Hope it helps.

Weather and Climate in Nainital

Nainital, due to its location in the inner Himalayas experiences a very pleasant weather during the entire year except the winter season (December, Jaunary and February). This beautiful hill station does not experience VERY high temperatures at any time during the entire year but the winters are very cold and the the mercury takes a sudden dip.

During April - June, expect a maximum temperature of about 27 degree Celcius with the minimum temperature of about 12 - 15 degree Celcius and due to this, it gets the maximum number of tourists during this period, especially from the plain regions of Northern India.

During July and August, Nainital receives heavy rains and therefore, the climate is humid. It does rain but if you want to be in the clouds all the time, then this is the best time to go.

September, October and November are probably the best months and a perfect time to be in Nainital. The weather is very pleasant and you will not come across too many tourists at this time of the year. However, November will be slightly colder.

Nainital enjoys snowfall during the months of January and February but it remains for a shorter period of time. March is also quite cold. So all the people who have never seen snowfall, this is the closest place from Delhi. Through our blog, we will keep you updated :-)

Route to Nainital

Nainital can be accessed by both rail and road.

Rail:Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam
Distance from kathgodam: 35 kms
Trains: Ranikhet Express
Days of Run: All 7 days
Different Class Available: 1A/C, 2A/C, 3A/C and Sleeper
Railways Online Booking Web site: http://www.irctc.co.in

RoadMap/Route from Delhi :
Delhi ---> Moradabad via Hapur and Gajraula
Take right for Moradabad Bypass --->After crossing the Bypass, take LEFT U-turn for Kashipur (You dont have to go via Kashipur) ---> and after 1-2 kms the road will take compulsory right turn. ---> Follow the road for about 6 - 8 kms till you see a board indicating RIGHT for Bajpur. ---> Take Right Turn for Bajpur and then onto Kaladungi ---> In Kaladungi, you will see a left turn (just after the Indian Oil Petrol Pump which will come on your right), take that. Start Climbing up and you will hit Nainital from the back side. This is the best route and the shortest from Delhi...Only 290 kms :-)

Stopovers:

See our section on Corbett.

Nainital - Not Just a Lake

Nainital, known for its idyllic beauty and a placid lake is situated at a height of 6,300 ft. in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand state in India. Nainital, a 100 year old hill station, known for mountains silhouetted against the blue sky is set in a valley around the Naini Jheel. Nainital a favourite among Britishers and home to famous Jim Corbett for many years, has expanded quite a bit since then but the beauty still remains. You no longer come across bears and tigers in the surrounding forests but the walks along these forest trails are still intersting.

History: Nainital was first explored by a Sugar merchant, Mr. Barron and it soon became a popular hill station for people wanting to escape from the summer heat of the plains. It is believed that Nainital figures in the Skanda Puranas as Tririshi Sarovar and is also referred to as one of the 64 Shaktipeeths. It is also believed that eye of Sati fell here while Lord Shiva was carrying her over the Himalayas. This story probably also explains the shape of Naini Jheel which resembels an eye and why its named Nain (Eye) Tal (Lake). Quite interesting...!!!

Nainital is set in two parts - Taillital (South Point) and Mallital (North Point). Most of the good hotels are located in the VIP area of Mallital which is about 1.5 kms from the Lake/Mall. Taliital is close to a Bus Stand and hence full bustling activities. The Mall Road lies between these two points and full of tourist activities and shops popular for Imported goods.

Things to do: Boating, Dorothy Seat, Governor House, China Peak, Ropeway, Snow View and Himalaya Darshan. Nainital's strategic location, within a close range of the Himalayas, also makes it an excellent base for exploring some of the other beautiful regions in Kumaon - Ranikhet, Corbett and Almora.