Zostel Homes Kotkhai, Shimla

Hotels
Zostel
6.7 (16 reviews)
Village Padara, PO-Tharola Teh-Kotkhai , Shimla , in

Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Darts
Chapel/shrine
Non-smoking throughout
Shared lounge/TV area
Board games/puzzles
Shared kitchen
Outdoor furniture
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Fresh homemade local meals
Varied daily local dishes
Reasonable pricing
Supportive and cooperative hosts
Great views and peaceful vibe

Categories

Cleanliness
6.7
Standard quality for this hotel tier (not mentioned in review).
Service
6.7
Hosts described as extremely nice, cooperative and supportive (helpful with an infant).
Location
6.7
Great views and authentic Himachali village setting; peaceful vibe mentioned.
Room Quality
6.7
Standard quality for this hotel tier (not mentioned in review).
Amenities
6.7
Standard quality for this hotel tier (not mentioned in review).
Value for Money
6.7
Pricing described as very reasonable and well thought out.
Food and Beverage
6.7
Breakfast and meals freshly homemade, simple and delicious; different local dish offered daily.
Overall Experience
6.7
Positive overall: enjoyed authentic village experience, local food, views and peaceful atmosphere; hosts were very nice.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-04-30 07:13

Property Description

Breathtaking Mountain Views:
Enjoy stunning mountain views at Zostel Homes Kotkhai (Shimla), a sustainable property offering comfortable accommodation surrounded by nature.

Comfortable and Cozy Units:
Relax in well-equipped units featuring private bathrooms, balconies in select units, and essential amenities like free toiletries. The homestay's family rooms cater to groups and ensure a pleasant stay.

Exciting Activities and Facilities:
Engage in fun activities like darts, hiking, and walking tours in the picturesque surroundings. Guests can also unwind at the indoor play area, adding a touch of leisure to their stay.

Experience tranquility and adventure at Zostel Homes Kotkhai (Shimla). Book now for a memorable mountain getaway.

Important information:

- This homestay is open for families with kids, groups, and couples.
- We only accept a government ID as valid identification proof. No local IDs shall be accepted at the time of check-in.
- Any kind of footwear is not allowed inside the house. Guests will be provided with slip-ons during their stay.
- Drinking and smoking is prohibited inside the property. Guests are requested to resort to open areas for the same.
- We believe in self-help and do not provide luggage assistance or room services.
- Food served will be home-cooked.
- Any special request regarding food or facilities needs to be intimated in advance.
- Quiet Hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM. Do not play loud music or cause nuisance, as the place is located in a village area. Nature and surroundings should be respected and cared for.
- The property is not pet-friendly.
- Right to admission reserved.This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Internet

    No internet access available.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is needed).

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 12 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 13 years old to 17 years old stay for Rs. 500 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

6.7
Based on 16 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.7
Service: 6.7
Location: 6.7
Room Quality: 6.7
Amenities: 6.7
Value for Money: 6.7
Food and Beverage: 6.7
Overall Experience: 6.7
N
Nisha extended_group in
10
ideal for experiencing authentic Himachali village life with great views, local food n peaceful vibe
Pros:

The breakfast and other meals were freshly homemade—simple, delicious, and full of flavour. We got to try a different local dish every day, and the pricing was very reasonable and well thought out.

Cons:

I liked everything about the place. The hosts were extremely nice people, we had an infant in our group and hosts were very cooperative and supportive.

2026-04-06 via Nuitee
J
Jitesh young couple in
2
Not Happy
Pros:

Zostel should close this property or add some good staff there.

Cons:

Entrance

Fooding system

Activity Space

Wifi was not there

And much more

2025-02-09 via Nuitee
P
Piyush with friends in
1
Bad
Pros:

This property is not in Shimla, it is at a different place which is 70km away from Shimla, so do not book it and do not expect any refund from the owner.

Cons:

The behaviour!

2025-01-05 via Nuitee
B
Bhawna young couple in
10
Exceptional
2024-10-12 via Nuitee
S
Surabhi family with young children in
9
If you are looking for a homely stay surrounded by a beautiful view...This is the perfect place
Pros:

It's a beautiful accommodation with wonderful hosts....overall a peaceful stay

Cons:

The food prices are bit expensive

2024-10-03 via Nuitee
A
Ahluwalia family with young children in
1
Bad
Pros:

Location is very Bad

2024-07-08 via Nuitee
P
Parth family with young children in
1
Bad
Pros:

Only cleaning is good

Cons:

It was not at the location which is mentioned in the website. It was very horror location where there are no other hotels or stays & the Owner is very rude & crazy man . No power & water there , we only stayed for 1 day there & we wasted our money due to these bad facilities and location

2024-06-05 via Nuitee
P
Parth family with young children in
1
Bad
Pros:

Only cleaning is good

Cons:

The location mentioned on site/app is wrong& distance is also wrong , it was at terrible horror place where no one can reach easily , no other houses or staying properties are there , complete waste of money

2024-06-05 via Nuitee
P
Pradeep young couple in
10
Exceptional
2024-02-25 via Nuitee
R
Rohan family with young children in
8
Excellent location. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Pros:

Exceptional location. Newly constructed place, hosts are very warm and welcoming, they do their best in serving and preparing food and snacks. Because the location is far from busy areas or markets. Carry your own snacks and beverages of choice.

2023-06-26 via Nuitee
S
Singh family with young children in
10
Exceptional
2023-06-19 via Nuitee
A
Adithya group in
9
Gracious hosts, fantastic food, scenic
Pros:

We had absolutely fantastic food from a super gracious host. Overall, we loved the property, its location and everything there was to offer. For typical tourists, this place does not have much really. But for a traveller, this is a simple, tiny village with lots of apple orchards, beautiful sunset points, and an amazing bunch of people. You can walk about, talk to people, and just enjoy the place. We also saw a milkyway - which was a big plus. Above all, the hosts, Mr. Suresh Chauhan and his wife were incredible people. They took really good care of us and we stayed at their cosy home for about a week.

Cons:

Biting cold, there aren't any shops nearby as well - so please come prepared. We personally loved this, but some can find it troublesome. Please note: This place is about 12km away from Kotkhai in a village called Padara.

2022-12-25 via Nuitee
K
Karandeep group in
10
Exceptional
2022-11-17 via Nuitee
S
Sanjay solo traveller in
9
Superb
2022-09-26 via Nuitee
S
Sangwan family with young children in
10
Zostel homes at kotkhai are good option to try.
Pros:

It was my first experience at home stay. Zostel home Kotkhai will definitely made it one of the life's best experience of stay with nice family near their Apple orchards.

Cons:

It is situated in quite lonely and small village. If someone expect hustle and crowded places. This place is not for them. This place is to stay and relaxed. But they still have some trek and activities to do but you need time for that.

2022-09-04 via Nuitee
S
Shivam with friends in
9
Superb
2022-08-30 via Nuitee