25 best places to stay in North East India

One major issue regarding vacationing in the north east India is finding a decent hotel to crash in. With the tourism industry yet to boom, many hotels and in-house stays are either over-priced or under-maintained.

To cease the worry, we have listed here twenty of the best hotels spread across the seven states of the region. A stay in any one of these will definitely give a true essence of the region, and make your vacation a memorable one.

1. Abasa Home-stay, Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

The rice bowl of Arunachal Pradesh, Ziro is famous for its beautiful home-stays. Staying with an Apatani (the local tribe of Ziro) and getting a glimpse of their laid back life is quite an experience in itself. The owners of Abasa home-stay have their own farmland where they grow various fruits and vegetables like kiwi, tomatoes and even rice. Visitors are always welcome to give the owners a hand in the kitchen garden. The rooms are cozy, clean and comfortable, albeit a bit smaller. The food is homely and absolutely delicious.

Email id: [email protected]

Rates: Starting from Rs. 1000 for doubles.

2. Dolma Khangsar Guest House, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

On your next visit to this exotic snow clad town of Arunachal Pradesh, make it a point to stay in this beautiful little house. It is in a distance of 2kms from the main town and gives a complete view of the snow covered Tawang valley downhill. It is a family run property, hence not very fancy, but has all the basic amenities like room heaters, running hot and cold water, TVs and parking space.

Website: www.dolmahotels.com

Rates: Doubles start from Rs. 1,750

3. Diphlu River Lodge, Kaziranga, Assam

Surrounded by paddy fields, the Diphu River Lodge is located in the banks of river Diphu. The Kaziranga National park is visible from here in a distance. The lodge has a set of wooden, thatched-roof cottages giving it a very wild look. Tourist can go on river cruise, riverside picnics or take a stroll in the Kaziranga. Dolphins and elephants are commonly spotted here. The lodge also has a exotic stilts restaurant named the machan. Evening tea time here is almost a perfection.

Website: www.diphluriverlodge.com

Rates: Double room starts for Rs 8,590

4. Wild Grass Lodge, Kaziranga, Assam

This lodge is surrounded by almost forty different varieties of tress, and hundred species of shrubs and other plants, giving it almost the look of a jungle. Located right by the side of the national park, it is best for the tourists who visit the park. They arrange morning and evening safaris for the guests. The best thing about the lodge is the endless cup of tea that it serves.

Contact: 09954416945

Rates: Doubles starting from Rs. 2,450

5. Mathanguri Forest Lodge, Manas National Park, Assam

Mathanguri, located centrally in the Manas National Park will give you the feeling of being in a forest. Home to tigers, elephants and a wide range of wild animals, waking up their voics is but natural here. One can see the mountains of Bhutan from here, and hear the gurgling sound of the Manas river below. Though the lodge is not very exotic, it definitely is a very comfortable place to stay.

Contact: 09954416945

Rates: Doubles starting from Rs. 2,450

6. Wild Mahseer Lodge, Tezpur, Assam

Mahseer lodge is located in the Addabarie Tea Estate of Balipara, an hour’s distance from Tezpur. This 19th century boutique has been turned into a lodge, and thus it has a vital European touch to it. Different rooms of the lodge are named after different flavors of tea available in Assam. Time here has stood still, and one can actually feel the vibe of living like a colonial tea planter here. Bird-watching, elephant riding, jungle safari etc are some of the activities tourist can indulge into.

Website: www.wildmahseer.com

Rates: double rooms start from Rs. 8,600

7. Radisson Blu, Guwahati, Assam

The name says it all. The first five star hotel in Guwahati, and in the North East, Radisson Blu has definitely lived up to its expectations. It has been giving top notch five star facility to its visitors and one of the best luxurious stays of the state. Conveniently close to the airport and the railway station, Radisson blue has all the extravagant facilities like pool, beauty spa, salon, conference and event space etc.

Website: www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-guwahati

Rates: Double rooms start from Rs. 7000

8. Vivanta by Taj, Guwahati, Assam

The five acre property owned by the Taj Group is the latest addition to the luxury hotel brand in Guwahati. Vivanta by Taj has 150 rooms in total, divided into suites of varied range. This expensive venture has a lovely ethnic Assamese touch to its décor and environment. The main pavilion resembles the famous kamakhya temple of the city, which makes it stand out in the crowd. The all day restaurant, Seven is a tribute to all the seven states of the north east region and aptly display the skill of the local craftsmen. With exotic facilities like spa, conference room and meeting space, vivanta is an ideal stay.

Website: www.vivanta.tajhotels.com/en-in/guwahati-assam/

Rates: Double rooms starts from Rs. 8,500

9. Thengal Manor, Jorhat, Assam

The Thengal Manor in Jorhat was built by the pioneer tea planter Raibahadur Siba Prasad Barooah in 1929. It has been turned into a heritage hotel by the Barooah family now, and is one of the most luxurious private properties of Assam. It has amazing play space for children, offering board games, swimming pools etc for both kids and adults.

Website: www.heritagetourismindia.com

Park: Double rooms start from Rs. 7,500

10. Hotel Classic Grand, Imphal, Manipur

This is a fairly new hotel, and thus has a very ultra modern touch to it. It has 171 extremely well spacious rooms, sorted into suited based on price range cited. Absolutely modern in needs, Hotel Classic has rooms to hold conferences and events, spa, salon and a 24 hour fitness centre. The dining options here are fabulous, with many multicuisine cafes and restaurants. Café Grande is one of the most hopped one, wich has a vodka lounge and a karaoke bar.

Website: www.classicgrand.com

Rates: Double rooms starting from Rs. 3,575

11. The Classic Hotel, Imphal

The best thing about the Classic hotel is its comfortable central location. The rooms here are spacious, clean and almost resemble the presidential suites of big hotels. 24 hour room service, free wi-fi, space for board meetings and conferences are the other perks of the hotel. While the Classic café is multi-cuisine and has an alfresco seating, the Rita Café is more informal.

Website: www.theclassichotel.in

Rates: Double Room Starts from Rs. 2,540

12. Aerodene Cottage, Shillong, Meghalaya

This 66 year elegant antique looking Assam type cottage is located in the heart of Shiilong. It is an intimate B&B, which has five spacious well-equipped rooms, with facilities like wi-fi, room heaters, TV, laundry sevices, airport pick-up and drop services from and to Guwahati , tour guides etc. The cottage has been renovated, which gives it polished clean look. The local garden here is home to a variety of fruit trees, multiplying the beauty of the surrounding.

Website: www.aerodene.in

Rates: Rs. 3,400 for double rooms.

13. Ri Kynjai, Borapani, Meghalaya

Literally translating to ‘serenity by the lake’ in the local language, this exotic resort is in close proximity to the Borapani Lake in the Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya. It is in a distance of about 35 kms from Shillong, and a perfect abode combining modern comfort with traditional practices. Pinewood flooring, ethnic looking fireplaces and thatched roofs, Ri kynjai will definitely kindle the senses in you. There is a Khasi Herbal spa, a restaurant service all sorts of local cuisine and a bar as well. In all, Ri Kynjai is the perfect place to enjoy the serenity of the Borapani lake.

Website: www.rikynjai.com

Rates: Double rooms start from Rs. 8,000

14. Cherrapunji Holiday Resort, Laitkynsew, Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji is probably the most beautiful place in Meghalaya. If you are looking for a serene place to crash by in your next visit here, Cherrapunji Holiday resort is the best pick you can have. It is a family run resort, a home away from home. There are no extravagant facilities like TV or ACs in the rooms, but one seldom feels the need. A day in Cherrapunji Holiday Resort gives the real sense of a vacation.

Website: www.cherrapunji.com

Rates: Double rooms start from Rs. 4000

15. Hotel Pinewood, Shillong

This eight-acre property located beside the Ward’s lake is run by the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation. It has 40 rooms in all, which are all done with extreme finesse. Burma teak paneling, bright furnishings and warm light beautify the hotel. The hotel also has space for board room meetings, a gym, games room and a cyber café. The cellar here has a stock of different spirits and the inhouse multicuisine restaurant is quite a treat in itself.

Rates: Rs. 7,353 – Rs. 8,095 for a standard double room.

16. The Centre Point, Shillong

The Centre Point in located in the heart of the city, which makes it one of the most crowded hotels in Shillong. Situated centrally in the main market area of Police Bazaar, Central Point has 31 comfortable, beautifully made rooms, all of which has lovely view of the surrounding mountains. Cloud 9, the rooftop nightclub is the major attraction. When the clock strikes 9 in the night, the town throbs with the sounds of DJs. The Pan-Asian fare at the club’s resto-lounge, Sky Asia is simply excellent.

Website: www.shillongcentrepoint.com

Rates: Rs. 8000 for double rooms

17. The Eee Cee Hotel, Shillong

Located in the Police Bazaar, the Eee Cee hotel is a good choice for the one who are on a budget trip. This isn’t a very posh place, but its comfort is a major attraction. The floors are made of wood which give the hotel a very ethnic look. The inhouse multi cuisine restaurant serves delicious local food. The service is helpful and friendly.

Website: www.ecshillong.com

Rates: Double rooms start from Rs. 2000

18. Royal Heritage Tripura Castle, Shillong

This hotel was once the summer home of Tripura’s Manikya Dynasty. It is a beautiful private property with exquisitely done up rooms, wooden floors and carved bamboo and cane furniture. The rice Court, the In-house restaurant serves delicious Chinese and local Khasi delicacies. The Café Shillong Heritage has both indoor and alfresco seating and offers pan-Asian, Mediterranean and local dishes along with wine.

Website: www.tripuracastle.com

Rates: Double rooms start at Rs. 10000

19. Hotel Regency, Aizawl, Mizoram

It is one of the very few hotels which uses unconventional source of energy to combat the growing menace of carbon infusion in the environment. Hence, it runs water heaters and ACs on solar energy. All the 50 rooms are cozy and comfortable and have great views of the city and the mountains surrounding it. It has place for board room meetings and intimate events. The in-house restaurant serves a wide range of cuisines like Indian, Chinese and European.

Website: www.regencyaizawl.com

Rates: Rs. 1800 for single rooms, Rs. 3600 for double rooms.

20. Hotel Sonar Tori, Agartala

This is the probably the most luxurious stay in the city. Located in the centre of the city, this hotel has well appointed rooms and suites, and space for meetings and conferences. The in-house multicuisine restaurant has a cheerful décor and serves some world class food, the Bengali fare being a major specialty. Additional facilities include free wi-fi and guides for city tour.

Contact: 0381-2311007

21. Ginger Hotel, Agartala

Ginger is well known chain of hotels, and this one in Agartala has been its first ever venture in North East India. It is definitely a clean, comfortable and affordable place to stay in. Facilities like wi-fi, gym, TVs and multi-cuisine in-house restaurants are the available along with friendly and efficient service.

Contact: 0381-2411333

22. De Oriental Grand, Kohima

Best chosen for its central location, De Oriental Grand is mostly chosen for work trips and board meetings. Its boardroom, called the Grey Suit, is spacious and done with décor best for professional meetings. Butler service is available. The Café BINN is more cheerful and good for a casual meet. The service here is well known to be warm and friendly.

Website: www.deorientalgrand.com

23. The Konyak Tea Retreat, Shiyong, Nagaland

If you ever dreamt of plucking fruits directly from the tree, or milking cows and goats in the farm, the Konyak Tea Retreat is definitely the best place for your stay. One of the most famous homestays in the north east india, Konyak Tea Retreat is a 250 acre active plantation area, owned privately. A wide range of fruits and vegetables and a number of animals are there in the farm. The house is stone walled and has two bedrooms, a guest room and a kitchen. It is one of those few places where you can be entirely at peace.

Email: [email protected]

Rates: Double rooms start from Rs. 2,500

24. Hotel Florida, Aizawl

It is a 33 bed hotel in the centre of the city, with facilities like free wi-fi, 24 hours in-room dining service and a well managed concierge desk. The rooms are spacious and well equipped with TVs, ACs and water heaters; and give a beautiful view of the hills surrounding the city. The Presidential Suite has a Jacuzzi, which is the most attractive thing about the hotel. The in-house multi-cuisine restaurant serves delicacies from all round and local items as well.

25. David’s Hotel Clover, Aizawl

David’s clover is sort of in-house stay, run by David and his sister Dolly. They make you feel so much at home that you would not need a tourist guide or a shopping guide. The menu of the in-house restaurant mainly focuses on Chinese, but one can always get the local delicacies made, as David and Dolly makes sure that the visitors can get to eat whatever they want to. It is not very luxurious, but the location is central and the ambience welcoming.

Email: [email protected]

Rates: Rs. 1500 for double bedrooms.