Hotel Combermere

Being right opposite the Tourism Lift on The Mall keeps us on our toes. There is always a crowd of people waiting for the lift or walking towards the shops. It’s one of those spots in Shimla where you see everything happening. The building has been here for quite some time, and you can tell by the way the floorboards sometimes creak. We don't have a big fancy entrance, just the way it's always been. Every morning, we check the weather because it changes so fast up here. If it rains, everyone crowds into the doorway. We try to keep the rooms decent and the heaters going when the wind picks up. It’s a lot of stairs and walking, which is just part of being on the hill. We don't use much in the way of decorations, just some old photos and some chairs that have seen better days but are still comfortable enough. Working here means you talk to a lot of people who are lost or looking for the ridge. We spend a good chunk of the afternoon just tidying up after the lunch rush. It’s not a perfect place, but it’s right in the thick of it. Sometimes the water pressure acts up, so we have to go down and check the pipes. It’s just how things go with these older buildings.