Onora Hospitality has signed a heritage-style retreat in the forested surroundings of Jakhu Hills, the highest point in Shimla. The development will be 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 hotel will open in mid-March.
Located at an elevation marked as Point 7707, approximately 700 metres from the Mall Road and about 500 metres from the Jakhu Temple, jüSTa Darkwood Lodge & Spa, is housed in a late-19th-century residence that once served as the home of a British engineer associated with the development of Shimla’s early water supply infrastructure, including the Seog reservoir and its catchment area. The heritage structure has been carefully restored to meet contemporary hospitality requirements while retaining the architectural character of a traditional hill-station residence.
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.
“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,” said Ashish Vohra, Founder & CEO, Onora Hospitality.
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.
The signing reflects Onora Hospitality’s continued expansion in the Himalayan leisure market, with a focus on experiential destinations, adaptive reuse of heritage structures and design-led boutique hospitality.
