Royal Heritage Hotel
Royal Heritage stands as one of Nainital's most storied properties — a grand Victorian hotel built in 1906 during the height of the British Raj. Perched on a hillside in the Mallital area just 10 minutes' walk from Mall Road, the hotel's hand-cut stone facade, steeply pitched tin roof, and wraparound verandas remain largely unchanged from when they first welcomed British officers and their families over a century ago.
The interiors are a masterclass in heritage preservation — original oak floorboards that creak with history, pressed-tin ceilings painted in heritage colours, period furniture sourced from estate auctions, original brass fixtures and fittings, and walls hung with sepia photographs documenting Nainital's colonial past. Staying here feels genuinely different from any modern hotel — every detail reinforces the sense of stepping back into a more gracious, unhurried era.
Royal Heritage offers 37 rooms spread across the main building and two annexe wings, each individually decorated with antique furnishings, heritage-print fabrics, and handpicked artefacts. The hotel's dining room serves a daily English breakfast, Kumaoni lunch specials, and evening meals with a selection of Indian and continental dishes. The original stone-flagged veranda is the most popular spot — particularly for evening sundowners as the lights of Nainital begin to twinkle below and the scent of pine mingles with wood smoke.
The property is especially popular for anniversaries, honeymoons, and heritage enthusiasts. Guided heritage walks of Nainital's colonial architecture depart from the hotel, and the staff can arrange boat rides on Naini Lake, visits to Nainital's tea gardens, and day trips to Mukteshwar, Bhimtal, and Ranikhet.