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(Left-Right) Anuj Jain, A jüSTa Hotel owner, Dipanshu Gupta, Director of Business Development- North India, jüSTa Hotels & Resorts, Rajeev Sood, Owner, jüSTa Darkwood Lodge & Spa, Rahul Chambial, AVP-Himachal Pradesh
Heritage Retreat In Shimla
Onora Hospitality, parent company of the boutique hospitality brand jüSTa Hotels & Resorts, announced the signing of a heritage-inspired retreat set amid the forested slopes of Jakhu Hills, the highest point in Shimla. This addition will mark the group’s sixth property in Himachal Pradesh, where it currently operates jüSTa Resorts & Hotels in Mashobra, Dharamshala, Manali and Palampur, along with a Bookmark Resorts property in Manali. The new hotel is scheduled to open in mid-March.
Situated at an elevation known as Point 7707, around 700 metres from Mall Road and about 500 metres from Jakhu Temple, jüSTa Darkwood Lodge & Spa occupies a late nineteenth-century residence that once belonged to a British engineer involved in the early development of Shimla’s water supply system, including the Seog reservoir and its catchment area. The heritage building has been thoughtfully restored to accommodate modern hospitality standards while preserving the architectural charm typical of traditional hill-station homes.
The property is set within a cedar forest and is connected to an existing forest trail that leads towards the Seog Bagh area via Sanjauli and Jakhu, offering a nature-based walking experience linked to the site’s historical context.
Ashish Vohra, Founder & CEO, Onora Hospitality, said, “With this signing, jüSTa Hotels & Resorts further strengthens its footprint in high-potential leisure destinations across North India, with a focus on character-rich properties that deliver authentic and memorable guest experiences.”
Constructed using deodar wood, the interiors reflect Shimla’s colonial-era architectural vocabulary through extensive woodwork interpreted in a contemporary design language. All rooms are designed to offer forest views and will be available across three room categories differentiated by layout and spatial configuration.
Positioned as a premium boutique retreat, the property will offer a full-service spa, dedicated yoga and indoor recreation areas and guided nature walks. An English-style café overlooking the forest has been planned as an alternative to the commercial activity of the Mall Road.
Despite its proximity to Shimla’s main commercial district, the forested setting ensures relative seclusion. Vehicular access and on-site parking provide operational ease in a location where accessibility is typically limited.
