Planning a trip to Meghalaya? Discover the 8 Best Hotels in Shillong for a perfect stay!
Shillong, a charming hill station, known as the “Scotland of the East” and the gateway to Meghalaya tourism, is a top destination for nature lovers and leisure travelers seeking a peaceful retreat in the green hills. Whether you’re here for a short getaway or an extended stay, it depends on you. Still, it’s worth spending at least 3 full days in Shillong during your Meghalaya trip, and hence choosing the right hotel during your Shillong stay enhances your experience.
Based on our multiple visits, in-depth research, and real traveler feedback, we’ve curated a list of the best hotels in Shillong to help you find the perfect stay. Let’s dive in!
Best Hotels in Shillong
Shillong offers 200+ stay options, including hotels, resorts, homestays, and rental houses. With so many choices, finding the right one can be overwhelming—we faced the same challenge on our first casual trip.
To make it easier for you—my fellow travelers and dear audiences, we’ve curated a list of top stays in Shillong. Hopefully, you’ll find the perfect one for your trip!
1. Ri Kynjai Serenity by The Lake
| Category: Resort | Perfect for: Family, Couple |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.5/10 |
| TripAdvisor Agoda | 4.5/5 8.8/10 4.5/5 |
If you’re looking for a serene stay near Umiam Lake, Ri Kynjai Resort is the perfect choice. Spread across 45 acres of lush greenery, this luxurious retreat offers breathtaking lake-facing cottages designed in a traditional North Eastern style with elegant artistic touches.
Guests can enjoy a leisurely walk through the nearby village and along the scenic lakeside, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers. The resort also features spa treatments for ultimate relaxation.
For dining, Sao Aiom, the in-house multi-cuisine restaurant, serves a variety of delicious dishes, including Indian, Chinese, and Continental specialties, prepared by expert chefs.
With meeting and banquet facilities, Ri Kynjai is a great choice for business travelers, while its picturesque location makes it especially popular among honeymooners and families seeking a peaceful getaway.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great location. | High rent compared to other stay options nearby. |
| Excellent property with nice interior decorations. | |
| Spacious cottages with all the required facilities. | |
| Close to the Umium Lake: one of the prime tourist attractions in Shillong. | |
| Very helpful and courteous staff. | |
| Nice foods covering all types of tastes. |
2. Rock Cliff Home Stay (B & B)
| Category: Homestay | Perfect for: Family, Couple |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9/10 |
| TripAdvisor Booking.com | 5/5 8.9/10 4.7/5 |
If you love vintage-style décor with modern comforts in a prime location, Rock Cliff Home Stay is a perfect choice. This beautifully maintained guest house feels like a living museum, with elegant interiors and a charming garden.
The friendly owner might even take you on a local tour in his vintage car if you connect well with him! The humble staff ensures a comfortable stay, serving delicious home-cooked meals and assisting with local tours and transport arrangements upon request.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great location. | Foods are slightly expensive. |
| Very well decorated property with a beautiful garden. | No fans in the rooms. |
| A peaceful and friendly environment. | In some rooms, hot water geezers are small. |
| Very caring and courteous owner. | The room heaters may need some upgrades. |
| The caretaking team is very humble and helpful. | |
| Nice foods. |
3. Hotel Woodland Hill Stay
| Category: Guest House | Perfect for: Couple, Family |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.6/10 |
| TripAdvisor Booking.com | 4/5 8.7/10 4.4/5 |
Woodland Hill stay is another very well maintained guest house in Shillong situated at a nice and quiet location.
The guest house is featured with a nice terrace and a shared lounge from where you may experience an excellent view of the entire city and hilly landscape far away. If you choose the Mountain View rooms, you may experience the same view right from your room.
The rooms are clean and well maintained, staff and management are superb.
The property has an in-house restaurant offering various dishes; for the breakfast, you may choose continental or a buffet based on your choice.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great location. | The price of some food items are unnecessarily high. |
| Nice hill view from the terrace (and from the mountain view rooms). | Little difficult to locate the place if you don’t hire a local taxi. |
| Helpful stuff. | The water heater takes too much time to prepare hot water. |
| Nice food. | Lights in some rooms are too dim. |
| 24×7 service. |
4. The Heritage Club-Tripura Castle
| Category: Resort | Perfect for: Couples, Family |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9/10 |
| TripAdvisor Agoda | 4/5 8.6/10 4/5 |
One of Shillong’s oldest and most beautiful stays, this property offers tranquility, heritage charm, and a stunning location with forest-view cottages and a well-maintained garden.
Featuring two restaurants, an on-site bar, and free parking, it ensures a comfortable stay with spacious rooms, colonial-style decor, and modern amenities like free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom.
The restaurants offer great quality foods. In case, you are traveling with your baby, the courteous staff goes the extra mile, even preparing special baby meals on request. Evenings here are magical with a bonfire, live music, and an outdoor seating area—perfect after a day of exploring Shillong!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great location. | It’s an expensive stay option in Shillong. |
| Amazing tranquility. | The resort is situated at an off-track location Away from the city heart and main market. |
| You’ll fall in love with the jungle view cottages and valley view wing. | You may find spiders/small insects in some rooms, especially in the forest rooms. |
| In-house bar is available; you may enjoy the bonfire and live music. | In a busy season, sometimes they displace your pre-booked higher category room; Caution! |
| Big size and comfortable rooms. | |
| All facilities that you expect are included. | |
| Very well-behaved and courteous staff. | |
| Nice foods though expensive. |
5. Windermere Inn
| Category: Hotel/Inn | Perfect for: Couple, Family, Group |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9/10 |
| TripAdvisor Agoda | 4/5 8.9/10 4.4/5 |
Windermere Inn is a fantastic stay option in Shillong, set in an exotic, peaceful location away from the city center—perfect for a relaxing getaway with family or loved ones. The serene surroundings and beautiful views make it truly special.
The property features sparkling clean maintenance, Dutch-style decor, and a spacious lawn. Rooms are spacious, well-heated, and equipped with modern amenities like a flat-screen TV, private bathroom, wardrobe, and kettle.
Guests can enjoy an in-house restaurant, garden, and free WiFi. Though the food menu is limited, the freshly prepared dishes are delicious.
The staff is extremely warm and courteous, making you feel right at home. If you need a visit to the Police Bazar or the city center, the hotel management arranges cabs on request.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great location, away from the city hassle. | A bit away from the center, approx 20-25 min by car. |
| Serine environment and nice view from the balcony. | It’s a bit difficult to find this property. |
| Spacious rooms, including all the common facilities. | Food prices are a bit higher side. |
| Neat, clean, and well maintained everywhere. | For private parking, an extra charge may be required. |
| Humble and well-behaved staff. | |
| Food quality is good though a bit expensive. |
6. Mid Pine Home Stay
| Category: Homestay | Perfect for: Family |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.5/10 |
| TripAdvisor Booking.com | 4/5 8.4/10 4.2/5 |
Mid Pine Home Stay is the perfect choice if you want to stay near Shillong city center in a peaceful environment. Unlike busy market-side hotels, this homestay offers a quiet, well-maintained, and hygienic retreat just a short walk from the market.
The spacious rooms and bathrooms ensure a comfortable stay. Enjoy a refreshing morning view from the dining area while having breakfast.
The staff and owners are extremely polite and welcoming, making it feel like a home away from home.
For meals, you can either dine at the in-house restaurant (closed on Sundays) or explore nearby eateries at Laitumkhrah Market.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good location, located near the marketplace, still away from city hassle! | Limited breakfast options. |
| The main market is easily accessible. | Food quality might be a bit better. |
| Spacious rooms, having all the common facilities. | There are time restrictions on returning to your room. If your group is staying on different floors, late-night gatherings may not be possible as floor doors are locked on time. |
| Nice view from the dining area. | |
| Neat, clean, and well-maintained. | |
| Very well-behaved staff. |
7. The Loft Executive Inn
| Category: Hotel/Inn | Perfect for: Family, Couple, Group |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8/10 |
| TripAdvisor Agoda | 3.5/5 8.2/10 4/5 |
Though a bit away from the city center, the market is easily accessible with a short walk and taxi ride. However, when traveling, comfort matters more than frequent market visits, and from this perspective, Loft Executive Inn is a good choice.
This inn is one of the best in Shillong for a relaxing stay with loved ones. The staff is welcoming and well-behaved, and the food is good, though not exceptional.
For a better experience, opt for rooms with a balcony, as other rooms lack proper windows.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good location, away from the crowd. | Away from the market/ Shillong center. |
| Spacious rooms with all the modern amenities. | Food quality might be improved for the cost. |
| Neat, clean, and well maintained. | |
| Very well behaved and helpful staff. | |
| Nice lawn cum restaurant to spend relaxing time. |
8. Da Blanche
| Category: Homestay | Perfect for: Couples, Groups |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.5/10 |
| Agoda Booking.com | 9.5 8.4/10 4.8/5 |
Located on the edge of a lush green valley, Da Blanche offers breathtaking views and a serene retreat far from the city center. Valley view rooms provide a refreshing morning sight of the vast greenery.
The owner and staff are warm and helpful, enhancing the peaceful ambiance. Facilities include free WiFi, a restaurant, and private parking. Each room features a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with free toiletries.
The on-site restaurant serves Chinese cuisine, making it ideal for those who enjoy Chinese dishes but less suitable for others.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Nice location; offers a chance to stay with nature. | Away from the city; connectivity issue is a big deal. |
| Mind-blowing atmosphere; widespread valley view. | The rent is a bit higher side. |
| Well-behaved staff. | Only Chinese dishes are available here. |
| Option to hike through the nearby hills. | Bathrooms in all rooms are not big and clean. |
| Free car parking and common facilities are available. | Wi-Fi and mobile networks are weak. |
Best hotels in Shillong: Remarks
Meghalaya is home to stunning destinations, with Shillong and its surroundings offering breathtaking spots. However, the countryside is even more captivating, featuring must-visit places like,
- Cherrapunji
- Garden of Caves
- Mawphlang Sacred Forest
- Double Decker Root Bridge
- Laitlum Canyon
- Dawki
- Mawlinong
Nevertheless, your Meghalaya journey always begins in Shillong, the state’s gateway, with a domestic airport and easy access from Guwahati. So it’s definite to stay at least 2-3 nights in Shillong before heading to the next spot.
However, with countless stay options, finding the best hotels isn’t easy, especially if you are a first-timer in Shillong. Hence to help you find the perfect stay, we’ve compiled the above list based on our multiple visits, in-depth research, and real traveler feedback.
Some of these hotels may be a bit expensive, but all of them ensure the satisfaction that you expect away from home.
Hope this guide helps you find the perfect place to stay in Shillong!
If you have any further queries, don’t hesitate; just post your question in the comment box below. We’ll be happy to help you further.
Wish you all the very best for your Shillong trip!
