The Oberoi Cecil

The staff and courtesy, absolutely wonderful.

The in room dining could have been better, it was a hassle to connect with them.

Great

Every thing

Stem room was smelling bad

Regal

Play areas equipment should be updated. TT table is outdated.

Hospitality was excellent

Food

The hospitality and warmth shown to us by every staff member at the Oberoi Cecil at Shimla was amazing. A lovely stay although short. We will certainly visit again.

Courteous staff, fast check in, neat & clean room, good toiletries, good breakfast & nice lounge.

Pick & drop to the lifts for Mall Road should be free rather it was costly.

Old world charm

No outdoor space. Only one restaurant. The outdoor dining space in the parking lot can not be called anything. When you’re in the hills you want to enjoy the fresh air and the views the hotel is very closed off.

Location & classy

Had an absolutely wonderful stay at the The Oberoi Cecil. The team went above and beyond to make the birthday celebration truly special with beautiful room decor and a delicious surprise cake. We were also delighted to receive a complimentary upgrade to a lovely suite, which made our stay even more memorable. A special mention for the thoughtful gesture towards our little one — the teddy bear gift brought the biggest smile! From the amazing food to the warm hospitality and exceptional service, every detail was perfect. Truly one of the most memorable hotel experiences we’ve had. Highly recommended for families and special occasions!

Everything from welcome to food to Everything can't wait to come second time all the staff was very courteous n friendly throughout my journey I don't have words to describe when I was leaving I got a feeling like iam leaving my family.

The breakfast & food overall is great. Special mention to Drivers Mukesh, Joginder, Rahul & Shiv. The in room dining services by Arijit and house keeping by Bhawna were excellent. Special mention to Sushma at the Spa. Top notch hotel 🏨 and loved the room’s view. Had a great family vacation. Hopefully can visit soon (this time in winter).

Excellent Location & Fantastic Staff

Staff and location lobby

It was close it hotels if you finding and looking rest and ⭐️ high but not closed onto center by walk

Anything and everything.

Nothing.

The food was amazing and the staff was really helpful cordial and understanding!

The Colonial legacy and Oberoi Legacy makes and its unique architecture makes Cecil is great a heritage luxury property .The place exceeds expectations as the entire team and facilities make the stay special. We love the location as one can walk easily to the Mall , Viceregal Lodge, Glen Forest and so on. The heated pool and Jacuzzi adds to the charm of the property.

Oberoi Cecil is undoubtedly the best located property in Shimla with wonderful vibes. It is beautiful and very well maintained. The quality of service is unparalleled. The entire staff is very friendly and always ready to help. The food at all the restautants is very good with a lot of variety. Will highly recommend this hotel.

We stayed here as part of an organised tour. The hotel was amazing, but made even better because of the staff. I wish that I knew more of their names, but three of them were really exceptional . Harsh, Abhranil and Tanusree, who went out of their way to make our stay so wonderful. Would totally recommend your hotel for anyone visiting Shimla!

very relaxed and comfortable stay. True Oberoi experience - unbeatable. A unique hill hotel, not like any that you experience normally, hills or otherwise

I had an excellent & a memorable experience while staying at The Cecil. Everything from the location to the food, the housekeeping, the history & above all the professionalism & warmth of the staff is something worth experiencing. I would want to make a special mention for Rohit & Mukesh from the Restaurant service team along with my compliments to the entire front office, F & B service & housekeeping departments who do a great job in keeping customers like me delighted.

This excellent hotel is situated within a 20 minute walk of the renowned Shimla mall and also close to some magnificent historic buildings. On our two night stay, we were impressed by the friendliness, efficiency and attentiveness of the staff. Our room was clean, well-furnished and had the facilities one would expect of a hotel of this status - tea/coffee, safe, mini-bar, gowns etc. We used the main lounge a few times for snacks and drinks and the service here was friendly and efficient. The restaurant meals and breakfasts were excellent too. We have no hesitation in recommending this hotel to future Shimla visitors.

Super...it was worth in gold. Enjoyed the hospitality and the ambience. Location is great, history to the hotel and staff is nice.

Beautiful hotel with opulent public areas and very comfortable rooms. But......the food and beverage experience is poor. Staff are very young and willing but clueless. I understand the company use the Cecil for staff training, which would be fine if the staff were actually being trained but management and supervision were in short supply. The hotel seems to rely on tour groups for most of its occupancy but does not provide them with what I consider the Oberoi standard. Breakfast was chaotic and buffet dinners not of the highest quality and largely lukewarm.. Lots of staff wandering round but on our first night we were not even offered a glass of water. My overriding memory is of going to the bar, a beautiful area spoiled by the detritus of dirty glasses and bottles on tables and the bar top while a manager fawned over an Indian family then left, ignoring the mess and the two poor staff members struggling to cope. What a disappointment!

I with my family stayed in one of the best hotels in India Oberoi Cecil, Shimla to celebrate my 50 th marriage anniversary.When we entered for check in General manager Swati and other team warmly welcomed, upgraded our Rooms and one Room with light decoration and cake. The management and entire team is very customer friendly, cooperative and courteous. I am highly impressed with their hospitality and it's lifetime time memory for my 50 th Anniversary. They have made our stay comfortable and memorable. Hotel property is very nice at convenient location. Food is excellent, in restaurant chef and Mr. Mukesh attended us so nicely. I highly recommend to enjoy their hospitality.

I couldn't recommend this hotel more. The service is simply outstanding. Attentive polite prompt and intelligent. Food is some of the best I've had in India. Nothing is too much trouble. It was so good when my hotel in Narkanda disappointed me I cancelled my stay there and scuttled back to such a warm welcome home here! Seriously you won't regret staying here! Worth every paisa! Also lovely pool and jacuzzi with a view!

Loved the old world charm and the staff were extremely helpful

Yummy breakfast,ample of variety

Nothing .

I was thoroughly impressed by the heritage beauty of Shimla and had a wonderful stay at your hotel. The wooden architecture and warm hospitality made our experience truly memorable. We especially appreciate the exceptional service provided by Raghav, the manager and bartender manan for serving his amazing cocktail. Thank you for making our visit so special.

Dear Oberoi Team, Just want to share my heartfelt thanks for the amazing jain South India platter at breakfast today! Special shoutout to Chef Rajkumar Bhakti and Lucy for making it truly special. Your hospitality is unmatched as always 😊. Best regards Jinen Shah

A very splendid hotel offering the highest level of quality and luxury. We enjoyed each moment of our stay and really appreciated the style, beauty, facilities, cleanliness, maintenance and, above all, the enthusiastic, sincere desire of the staff to help, assist and serve. Dining is a real joy with a comprehensive menu and delicious food and drinks. It was lovely to relax at the pool after a fascinating tour of Shimla and we enjoyed the dancers who performed in the early evening. Thank you to the management and staff who provided a memorable holiday experience.

Our family had a truly wonderful stay at The Oberoi Cecil. From the warm welcome to the exceptional service throughout, everything was simply outstanding. A special thanks to Ms. Srivastava and Mr. Raghav for their kindness and personal attention, which made our visit even more memorable. The hospitality and care shown by the entire team made our birthday celebration very special. Our children had an amazing time and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We are very grateful to the entire team and look forward to returning again.

Exceptional service and food, wonderful staff and view of landscape.

We absolutely loved all aspects of the hotel, staff, food and rooms. It was our second time there and if we were marooned there it would not be a disaster.

The Oberoi Cecil had always fascinated me. Knowing that it was the first hotel where the founder of the Oberoi group once worked made it even more special, and staying there had been on my wish list for a long time. During my college alumni meet, my partner and I finally decided to book our stay there and looking back, it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. Our journey into Shimla itself became unforgettable. On the day we were entering the city, we experienced the heaviest snowfall of the season. The roads had become extremely slippery, and our bus had to stop a few kilometers before Shimla because it simply couldn’t move forward. We contacted the hotel and requested a pickup. They told us they would try their best since even the hotel parking area was covered with snow. After about an hour of waiting, they managed to arrange a hotel cab for us. Although the wait felt long at the time, we later realized how fortunate we were many other passengers on the bus were stranded because their hotels had clearly refused pickups in such conditions. The only slightly disappointing part of the experience was the check-in process. I completely understand that it was a hectic day due to the heavy snowfall, but the welcome felt a bit underwhelming compared to other luxury properties we have stayed at. There was no warm ceremonial welcome like we had experienced previously at other Oberoi properties or even at Taj hotels, where guests are usually greeted with a tilak and a brief introduction to the property. Interestingly, we noticed that this welcome was being offered to foreign guests checking in later. We were simply asked to wait in the café, and the room keys were handed over to us without much interaction. Another small miss was that we were not briefed about the property its restaurants, facilities like the swimming pool, or even the historical significance of the hotel. A quick orientation would have really enhanced the overall experience. However, once we entered our room, everything changed for the better. The hotel had upgraded our room and decorated it beautifully, which we truly appreciated. The rooms are among the largest you’ll find in Shimla, and the amenities were excellent. Our room overlooked the valley, and although the window was a small slider without a balcony, it still offered a magical view of snow-covered Shimla. The hotel itself felt incredibly cozy. The fireplaces at the reception create a warm and inviting atmosphere where you can sit and relax. There were thoughtful touches like small rod heaters placed at the hotel doors so guests could warm their hands during snowy days, and complimentary umbrellas for convenience. One small issue we noticed was during breakfast. Whenever we requested something from the live counter, the staff ended up serving it twice, which unfortunately led to unnecessary food wastage. It was a minor operational hiccup but something that can definitely be improved. Overall, despite these small areas of improvement, we truly couldn’t have chosen a better hotel for our snowy stay in Shimla. The charm, comfort, and warmth of the property made the experience memorable. These are just small details that, if refined, could elevate the guest experience even further. Would I choose this hotel again when visiting Shimla? Absolutely. And I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy and memorable stay in the hills.

The Oberoi Cecil is one of the most luxurious hotels I have experienced. Its location is ethereal and the entire experience from the friendly and welcoming staff, the lavish breakfast spread , the finest cuisine and not forgetting the spacious and super luxurious rooms make this Hotel a divine experience. Its location set in the midst of nature , surrounded by lush greenery and unending mountains and valleys and crisp clean air is a treat in itself.

Rooms and Service

Not applicable

Every bit of the property was superb . Real Oberoi quality !

Staying in Shimla? Only one place to stay. The Cecil is a class act. Difficult to explain, you just need to experience the service, the ambience and the history. Couldn’t fault it.

Excellent property and had a very comfortable stay.. The hotel staff are very friendly and took good care of us... Chef Raj kumar Bhatia was available at all times and took good care...

We visited with a tour party and stayed for two nights. This is a beautiful hotel in a really central location (about 10 minutes walk to train station and 25 to Mall) our room was stunning, very comfortable with all amenities required (safe, iron hair dryer, toiletries etc) The buildings decor was beautiful, staff very polite and helpful and buffet food plentiful. Friends who used the spa facilities were very complimentary about it. Apparently not all rooms are the same with some fellow travellers mentioning that theirs was much smaller than our corner room. Ask for a corner room if you have the option!

Staff at Oberoi Cecil was exceptionally friendly, polite and cooperative

Suraj. Mukesh, Sahil and Rintu in the restaurant provided us the best service. Chef Raj Kumar Bhatia took extra efforts to visit us again and again to give us the best service

A short but highly memorable experience. Overall stay and dining experience was fabulous. Chef Raj Kumar was great as always ensuring personalised attention and delighting us with gastronomic delights. Mr. Mukesh, the F&B Manager also looked after us very well. Suraj at the restaurant created timeless memories by clicking highly professional photos and compiling a beautifully edited video. Tanushri and Adhranil at the restaurant served us enthusiastically always with a smile.

Exquisite property with beautiful interior. The service was amazing as always at Oberoi properties.

Hotel staff are friendly, polite and cooperative. Exceptional good service specially Suraj, Mukesh, Sahil, Rintu, Raj Kumar Bhatia, Gaurav Pal......

Our recent stay at The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla was truly unforgettable. It also coincided with our daughter’s 2nd birthday — which made it even more special for us as a family. From the moment we arrived, the warmth and professionalism of the staff stood out. Every single team member greeted us with genuine smiles, and what touched us most was that they remembered the reason for our visit and even our daughter’s name. That personal touch made us feel valued. The birthday arrangements were thoughtful and heartwarming — the cake, the room decoration, the daily fruit amenities, and especially the cartoon-faced pancake with our daughter’s name written on it at breakfast. These small yet meaningful gestures reflected true hospitality and care. A special mention to Tanushree at the restaurant, who consistently took wonderful care of us and made lovely conversations that made every meal enjoyable. The gentleman at the bar was equally kind and welcoming. Even the farewell was memorable — the front desk team and the guard at the gate waving until our car left, left a lasting impression.

Loved our stay here. The staff was extremely helpful in helping me with a smooth check in for all my colleagues. Food was top. I’m definitely only choosing Cecil over all other hotels in Shimla.

Everything well managed from check in to check out along with food, in-room dining, housekeeping. Great hospitality by Chef Raj Kumar presenting special ice cream n poori bhaji made within minutes.

We had an amazing time at The Oberoi Cecil. The location is ideal, bang in the middle of the city, which makes it a good base to explore Shimla. They have ample, secured parking opposite the main entrance, which makes it ideal for people who are driving to Shimla. The rooms and the hotel infrastructure were great too, especially for enthusiasts of colonial era architecture. What really made the experience special for us was the staff and the hospitality shown by them. They were extremely polite, helpful and professional in their conduct. Every single member of the Oberoi Cecil Staff was incredibly well trained and made a very good experience a truly memorable one.

Excellent hospitality..Will not find better anywhere else. Kudos to the Oberoi group. Location very good for access to the Mall. Easy access by road which is rare for Shimla Beautiful heritage property Great place to stay.

An amazing hotel. Staff are so friendly, can’t do enough for you. The place is beautifully presented and the rooms are a delight. Very spacious and equipped with all you could possibly need.

Huge thanks to Shareya -I left a Kindle in my bedroom and she arranged brilliantly for it be couriered to Delhi airport hotel so i got it back before leaving Egypt. All achieved in 48 hours. Not only that it was the most beautiful piece of packing i have seen. The hotel is luxurious with a lovely lounge/atrium, very attentive service and a delightful sense of time past but with high modern standards

Relaxing weekend getaway. Was maybe my 7th 8th stay there. But experience was just the same. Everything was very well taken care of by the hardworking team. Housekeeping was on point, made our stay very comfortable . Culinary team spoiled us with amazing food. Can’t wait to get back .

As a loyal guest of the Oberoi Group and an Oberoi One member (with stays at properties such as The Oberoi Rajvilas, The Oberoi Udaivilas, The Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort, The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, The Oberoi Gurgaon, The Oberoi New Delhi, The Oberoi Dubai and Wildflower Hall, An Oberoi Resort), I came with high expectations. There were some genuinely positive aspects, but overall the experience did not feel consistent with the standard I usually associate with Oberoi. What I appreciated Warm, efficient check-in and a very helpful front desk / concierge / reception team Thoughtful welcome and good overall hospitality on arrival Comfortable room layout and good housekeeping Support from Mr. Raghav Khullar during booking and at check-in What could be improved Property upkeep: Some areas (especially the activity centre) felt visibly worn. Furniture/equipment appeared dated and maintenance could be tightened to match premium expectations. Food quality: Breakfast and à la carte meals were below what I’ve experienced at other Oberoi hotels—taste and consistency did not meet expectations. F&B service: The biggest gap was attentiveness at the bar/restaurant. We repeatedly had to request assistance multiple times to get basic attention, which takes away from the experience. A serious concern: apparent racial discrimination This was the most disappointing part. During service, the staff appeared significantly more attentive and welcoming to white guests while we struggled to get basic service, even after repeated attempts. I cannot comment on intent, but the pattern was visible and felt discriminatory and humiliating in the moment. I strongly urge the management to investigate this and ensure every guest is treated with equal warmth, respect, and responsiveness. Overall, the front office team did a wonderful job, but meaningful improvements in F&B service, food quality, upkeep, and—most importantly—fair and equal guest treatment are needed to bring the experience back in line with what guests expect from the Oberoi brand.

Excellent Place to stay in Shimla. From food to service, would give 10/10. Staff very helpful. Would recommend everyone to try this property.

We loved the property, the wonderful service across the board.. I fell unwell and was taken care of so well by the staff at every available opportunity. I also want to appreciate Dharmendra who was at the poolside and spa… he made sure that my daughter felt safe and was extremely professional .. we loved our stay and will surely come back

Nothing

Cecil hotel is located centrally and all the places to visit was at walking distance for all those who love to explore on foot

Everything is as you'd expect of an Oberoi - superb

Nothing

Lovely food and excellent service

Prices were high

Excellent Property and kudos to their hospitality. Location is a near far to the Mall but it really is not a deterrent. Food also is very nice

Wonderful hotel. Amazing staff throughout. We had a valley view room and it’s worth it. Breakfast is fabulous and so is the restaurant. We ate here the 3 days we stayed.

Great location in heart of Shimla with town and important landmarks within walking distance. ROoms were large, quiet with comfortable beds ensuring a restful stay. Good and varied food options also.

Head Chef Mr. Bhatia was amazing. The food served was extremely tasty and fresh. We will definitely be coming back to Cecil again.

Awesome place for a perfect holiday....warm inside with the chill outside. Staff is extremely courteous...makes you feel comfortable Would highly recommend it to friends and family. Good food and great service. Special mention to the chef Bhatia for arranging a dinner to celebrate our special occasion

We have been visiting The Cecil almost every year for over 25 years. Like always our experience this time was amazing. A special thanks to Mr. Raghav and the entire team for so much warmth and taking such good care of all of us. Also a special mention for the Executive Chef, Mr. Raj Kumar Bhatia. Thanks to him and his team, We always get whatever we ask for and to our taste. All in all, a wonderful experience and highly recommended for everyone to visit.

We had a wonderful stay at the Oberoi Cecil. The hotel is beautifully maintained. It has its old charm and yet has all the modern amenities. The staff are very courteous and helpful. After all it’s the Indian hospitality. Chef Raj Kumar Bhatia really took good care of my wife’s dietary restrictions of making food without onion garlic.

Everyone and everything. This is the most excellent hotel I’ve ever stayed in during my visits to India. The staff and all amenities are exceptional

It’s perfect. I cannot fault anything

Great view from valley view room, Beautiful hotel, Breakfast staff is very good even though first day our order was bit late but thats not a big issue. Loved the taste. Do not miss the spa session which they offer. Its incredibly good. This was our 2nd stay here & plan to keep coming back. We were lucky enough to enjoy the Snow fall as well.

The entire experience was very underwhelming. Unlike all the other Oberoi hotels, this would never be in my go to list now. The worst birthday celebration by any 5* star property so far.

A beautifully appointed hotel with a backdrop of the Himalayan foothills, this place is steeped in history. The rooms are well laid out, with a separate dressing area and doors from the bedroom which open onto the balcony. The housekeeping services were exemplary, and all members of staff we encountered were more than willing to assist in any way they could. Breakfast was a delight, buffet style, but you could also order separate hot dishes of choice too. There's definitely something to cater for everyone. Quality ingredients were used in the preparation of both breakfast and dinner, and we enjoyed all the meals we experienced during our stay. The only negative would be that the wine and drinks pricing were extremely expensive. Whilst we understand hotels need to remain profitable, the markup of between 300 to 400 percent on a bottle of wine is more than excessive.

Very comfortable stay. Great hospitality of the staff overall. I would definitely like to visit again

My Family and I went for our Annual stay at Hotel Cecil Shimla. A Beautiful hotel with lots of Old World Charm. Efficient Service by the Restaurant Staff & the Housekeeping Staff. A Review of Hotel Cecil cannot be Completed without mentioning Chef Raj Kumar Bhatia. He is an Institution and is Always Interacting with Guests to know their Tastes and then Delivers way beyond Normal Expectations. Chef Rajkumar continue the Great Work You do. Special Thanks to General Manager Swati, Raghav Khullar, Nishant, Nupur, Sahil, Amber, Akash, Gaurav, Priyanka, Tanushree, Chef Lucky

I have nothing but praise for The Oberoi Cecil. We visited to celebrate my daughters’ birthdays, and the team ensured it was a truly memorable experience—one that my children couldn’t have asked for more. The hotel thoughtfully reached out to me in advance to understand our travel plans and the celebratory occasion, allowing them to make arrangements well ahead of our arrival. This proactive approach set the tone for the exceptional hospitality that followed. The service throughout our stay was impeccable—warm, attentive, and genuinely heartfelt. The heritage property has been beautifully preserved, maintaining its old-world charm while being in immaculate condition. The rooms are spacious, elegant, and extremely comfortable. The food deserves special mention—exceptional in both quality and taste. Every staff member greets you with a smile, making you feel truly welcome. A special mention to Tanushree from the dining staff for her warmth, politeness, and prompt service. I would also like to thank Chef Raj Kumar Bhatia, who took the time to personally greet us, ensured our dietary preferences for non-spicy food were well taken care of, and went above and beyond by presenting us with beautiful sketches of Shimla. These sketches will forever adorn the walls of my new under-construction office and remain a cherished memory of our stay. Although this was my first visit, I am certain it won’t be my last. I look forward to returning many more times in the future.