Hotel Royale India, mountain-view rooms by the Dalai Lama Temple
Hotel Royale India is a hotel in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, across from the Dalai Lama Temple. Rooms have private bathrooms and balconies with mountain views. It suits travellers who want to be central and quiet, but older reviews mention cleanliness and service problems.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Hotel Royale India.
Where Hotel Royale India is in McLeod Ganj
Hotel Royale India stands in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, in Himachal Pradesh, almost opposite the Dalai Lama Temple. It is also within walking distance of the main market, so you are in the middle of things without being on the noisiest street.
Guests say the temple is a very short walk away and that there are plenty of restaurants nearby. One guest liked that it is close to the market but on a quiet street. There is private parking, which is useful, but the access road matters (see below).
What the rooms and views are like
Rooms at Hotel Royale India have a private bathroom with a shower, an electric kettle, a TV, a wardrobe and free Wi-Fi. Many come with a balcony, and the balcony is the real reason to book. Guests talk about the mountain view again and again.
What to expect inside:
- Balcony views. Several reviewers call the view from the room the best part of the stay.
- Hot water and tea. A solo traveller mentions hot water for both showers and tea, and always clean sheets.
- Space. Even a critical reviewer admits the rooms were big and spacious.
The staff speak English and Hindi, which helps if you need to ask about anything.
What guests praise most
The Google score is 4.6 from 185 reviews, and recent comments are warm. The same ideas appear in many of them: the view, the location and the helpful staff.
Several guests say they enjoyed the quiet but central location. A guest who stayed for almost a month called the staff accommodating and said they could not have picked a better place. A woman travelling alone said she felt safe and well looked after. Others mention a polite owner, clean private rooms and affordable food.
What to know before you book
I would be honest here: the good reviews are recent, but the bad ones are serious. Three older reviews, all from around three years ago, describe a very different experience, so I would treat them as a warning and not as the current picture.
- Cleanliness. Those reviewers mention dirty bathrooms, smells, dusty blankets and rooms not cleaned when asked.
- Noise. One couple was given a room next to the pantry and kitchen and found it disturbing.
- Service. One reviewer says a single staff member did every job, and another says basic items such as towels and toilet paper had to be requested.
- The road. A guest describes the hotel as being on a steep, very narrow road, so bring light luggage.
Another guest says breakfast was shown as included on a booking site but the owners said it was not. Ask what is included before you arrive. Since recent guests report the opposite on cleanliness, a quick message to the hotel and a look at the newest Google reviews should settle it.
Who Hotel Royale India suits
I would pick Hotel Royale India for travellers who want to be a minute from the temple and the market, who care more about the view than about hotel polish, and who are happy to ask for what they need. It works well for solo travellers and for longer stays, judging by the reviews.
If you want strict service, a spotless-room guarantee or an easy road for heavy suitcases, I would look at other options or confirm the details first.
What to do around McLeod Ganj
The Dalai Lama Temple is the obvious start, and with the hotel so close you can visit at quiet times of the day. The main market and the restaurants around it are a short walk away, handy for evenings and for shopping.
McLeod Ganj attracts people looking for a spiritual and slow trip, and the hotel's setting suits that mood. Take your tea out on the balcony and enjoy the mountains.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
