Nainital was never meant to be hurried.
It revealed itself slowly, as a refuge shaped by restraint. A hill town where time learned to soften its
pace. Administrators came to recover, not rule. Missionaries came to reflect. Artists came to observe.
Life
followed the weather, the water, and the light.
Unlike grander hill stations, Nainital remained inward-looking. Held closely by its hills. Anchored by
its
lake. Often softened by mist.
Before We Had a Say in the Matter
The Grand Hotel was built in 1872 by an Englishman, Mr Tom Murray, at a time when Nainital itself was still deciding whether it wished to be picturesque, proper, or faintly scandalous.
When the House Found Its Keepers
On 7 October 1933, our great-grandfather Mr Badri Dutt Pande purchased the hotel from Mr Ian Fitzgerald Campbell for the princely sum of Rs 60,000. It was meant to be a sensible investment. Solid. Dependable.
When a Gong Meant Business
In the 1950s and 60s, The Grand ran on full board and lodging, and it ran like clockwork. Meals were announced by a gong. You did not debate with it. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner arrived precisely when intended. If you were late, that was entirely your affair.
Stay at Nainital
Rooms
VIEW ALL ROOMS
Heritage Garden Rooms
Renovated | Ground Floor | 6 Rooms
Located on the ground floor, these recently renovated rooms offer ease and quiet retreat. Spacious, settled, and close to the shared spaces of the house. Many enjoy direct or partial lake views. Ideal for guests who prefer comfort without stairs.
KNOW MORE
Heritage Premium Rooms
Renovated | First Floor | 6 Rooms
Sharing the same proportions and finishes as the Heritage Premium Rooms, these rooms sit on the first floor. Their advantage lies in elevation. Wider lake views, more light, and greater privacy. Suited to guests who enjoy perspective and longer stays.
KNOW MORE
Heritage Junior Suites
Old Wing | Ground Floor | 6 Rooms
Set within the original wing of the house, these ground-floor suites reflect an earlier architectural rhythm. Generous layouts, solid construction, and a strong sense of permanence. Best for guests drawn to the character of the old house.
KNOW MORE
Heritage Classic Suites
Old Wing | First Floor | 11 Rooms
Occupying the first floor of the old wing, these suites combine history with elevation. Retaining original proportions while offering broader lake views and added quiet. Ideal for guests seeking immersion in heritage with light and openness.
KNOW MORE
The Grand Suites
Signature Residence | 2 Rooms
Designed as private residences within the house, The Grand Suites offer distinct living and sleeping spaces with commanding views of Naini Lake. These are for guests who wish to live slowly, comfortably, and with a sense of arrival. The fullest expression of the house’s scale and spirit.
KNOW MOREDiscover Nainital
Experiences in Nainital
From gentle trails to sacred spaces, from colonial heritage to timeless traditions. Explore Nainital through experiences that invite you to slow down and see deeper.
Adventure
Level 1–3
For those who believe the hills are meant to be walked, not watched.
Step outside, lace up, and let the hills take over. These trails are not about conquering terrain, but about entering it slowly, breath by breath, view by view.
Spiritual
Sacred Spaces
For journeys that begin within and unfold gently outward.
Some places ask you to pause. Others ask you to listen. These spiritual trails trace Nainital's softer rhythms, where belief is layered and silence is respected.
Historic
Echoes of the Past
For those who enjoy time travel, preferably on foot.
History here doesn't sit behind glass. It lives in corridors, courtyards, clubs, and paths still walked daily. These heritage journeys connect the dots.
Voices of Nainital
A Place That Notices You Back
Nainital has never cared for spectacle. It prefers attention. The slow kind.
A still eye, held by the surrounding hills.
Early Observers
History
The forest remembers disturbance long after the footstep has passed.
The Hills & the Watchful Forest
Nature
Hills soften ambition. They make room for thought.
Writers & the Hill Temperament
Literature
Image Gallery
