The short answer
Clarkes Hotel: what visitors should know first
A sensible choice if walkable access to Mall Road and the Ridge matters more than remote seclusion; it trades the forest setting of pricier resorts for genuine convenience, at a somewhat gentler price point than Shimla's grander heritage properties.
History and context
The story behind Clarkes Hotel
Clarkes Hotel opened in 1898 and became the first hotel owned and operated by the Oberoi group, whose founder Mohan Singh Oberoi went on to build one of India's major hospitality companies. The hotel's name comes from Ernest Clarke, who had managed the nearby Cecil Hotel in the 1920s before the property took his name. It has operated continuously on Mall Road since, retaining much of its colonial-era architecture.
Useful facts
Clarkes Hotel facts at a glance
- Location
- Mall Road, central Shimla
- Stay style
- Heritage hotel, Mall Road location
- Location trade-off
- Trades forest seclusion for direct walking access to sights
- Best suited to
- Travellers wanting a central, walkable heritage base
- Origins
- Opened 1898; first hotel owned by the Oberoi group
- Operator
- Independently branded heritage hotel
Why it matters
Why Clarkes Hotel is worth your time
As the first hotel owned by the Oberoi group, Clarkes occupies a specific place in the history of Indian hospitality, marking an early step in what became one of the country's best-known hotel brands. Its continued operation since 1898 also makes it one of the longer-running hotel businesses in Shimla, predating many of the town's other named heritage properties.
Its Mall Road position reflects an older model of hill-station hospitality, where hotels were built into the town's commercial heart rather than set apart in private grounds, which contrasts usefully with more secluded properties such as Wildflower Hall outside town.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Its Mall Road location
Within walking distance of the Ridge, Gaiety Theatre and Gorton Castle, a real convenience over more remote stays.
- 02
Colonial-era architecture
Late-nineteenth-century building character that has been maintained rather than replaced.
- 03
A place in Oberoi group history
The first property owned by the Oberoi group, an early chapter in one of India's leading hotel companies.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Clarkes Hotel dates to 1898, making it one of the oldest hotels in Shimla, and it holds the distinction of being the first hotel owned and run by the Oberoi group, a lineage that predates the group's later, larger heritage properties elsewhere in the town. Its name traces to Ernest Clarke, who managed the neighbouring Cecil Hotel in the 1920s before establishing this property.
What sets Clarkes apart practically is its location: it sits directly on Mall Road, within easy walking distance of the Ridge, Gaiety Theatre, Gorton Castle and several of Shimla's colonial-era churches, which makes it a genuinely convenient base for travellers who want to walk to sights rather than rely on taxis each morning.
Expect colonial-era architecture and a slightly more modest scale and price than Shimla's grandest heritage hotels, which suits travellers who want heritage character without the full luxury-resort price tag. Book ahead in peak season given its popularity and central position.
Plan with confidence
Before you book the room.
- Book ahead in peak season given the hotel's central, popular location
- Ask about lift or ground-floor room access when booking
- Use the walkable location to skip taxis for central-Shimla sightseeing
- Confirm current dining policy if visiting as a non-guest
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Mall Road, central Shimla
- Time needed
- A full stay for guests
- Best time
- Any season; its central Mall Road position suits shorter stays focused on walking the town
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Its Mall Road location removes the need for long taxi transfers to reach central sights, which is a genuine comfort advantage; as with most older heritage buildings, ask specifically about lift access and room location when booking if stairs are a concern.
- Tickets and access
- No general sightseeing entry; non-guests wanting to see the property would typically need a restaurant reservation, so check current dining policy before visiting.
Best for
Plan it with
Book with confidence
Check rates at Clarkes Hotel
Compare room types, cancellation terms and breakfast before you book. Ask for a ground-floor or lift-access room if anyone finds stairs hard.
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Travelling with parents?
Its Mall Road location removes the need for long taxi transfers to reach central sights, which is a genuine comfort advantage; as with most older heritage buildings, ask specifically about lift access and room location when booking if stairs are a concern.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How old is Clarkes Hotel?
It opened in 1898, making it one of Shimla's oldest operating hotels.
Is Clarkes Hotel close to the Ridge?
Yes, it sits directly on Mall Road, within easy walking distance of the Ridge, Gaiety Theatre and other central sights.
Why is Clarkes Hotel historically significant?
It was the first hotel owned and operated by the Oberoi group, an early step in the history of one of India's major hospitality companies.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
