Looking for a cottage in Manali? The Forestbound Cottage is a private stone-and-wood cottage near Hadimba Temple, with a fireplace, a garden and 3 to 5 bedrooms. Here is what it is like, and what to check before booking any Manali cottage.
What we mean by cottage
The Forestbound Cottage is a private cottage in Manali made of stone and Himachali wood, with a wood-burning fireplace, a garden and balconies looking over the forest. It sits above Old Manali, five minutes on foot from Hadimba Temple. Some guests call it a villa and some a cottage. It is the same house, rented whole to your group.
What a good cottage in Manali should offer
If you are comparing cottages in Manali, these are the things worth asking about, with our answers.
- Warmth. A wood-burning fireplace in the living room.
- Quiet and nature. Cedar forest around the property, with a garden and a bonfire pit (lit on request).
- A kitchen of your own. A fully equipped kitchen with a gas hob and oven, plus an in-house kitchen that cooks from scratch to order.
- A walkable location. Hadimba Temple in five minutes, Old Manali's cafés in about 20.
- Honesty about limits. No swimming pool, no air conditioning, not wheelchair accessible, and no pets.
The rooms
The cottage can be booked in three sizes: three bedrooms in the main duplex, four with an extra bedroom that has its own entrance, or five with two independent garden rooms. All bedrooms have attached bathrooms. Together it sleeps up to 14.
Mornings and evenings
Start the day on a balcony with the mountains in view, walk to Hadimba Temple and the cedar forest, and come back for a meal cooked to order. In the evening, ask for the bonfire. Meals are cooked from scratch, with specialities such as siddu and chha gosht. Pre-order breakfast the night before, lunch by 11 AM and dinner by 6 PM.
Where it is
- Hadimba Temple: about 5 minutes on foot
- Old Manali village: about 20 minutes on foot
- Mall Road: about 20 minutes on foot, downhill
- Solang Valley: about 1 hour by car
Our guide to Old Manali and New Manali explains which side of town suits you.
Booking
Call or WhatsApp +91 9459040000 with your dates and number of guests. We reply with availability and rates. Check-in is at 2:00 PM and check-out at 12:00 noon.
Questions people ask
Is this a cottage or a villa?
Both words describe the same property. It is a private stone-and-wood house that you rent whole, in the cedar forest above Old Manali.
Does the cottage have a fireplace?
Yes, there is a wood-burning fireplace in the living area.
Can we cook for ourselves?
Yes. There is a fully equipped kitchen with a gas hob, oven, spice rack, tea, coffee and cooking oil. An in-house kitchen can also cook meals to order, ideally pre-ordered.
How far is the cottage from Old Manali and Mall Road?
About 20 minutes on foot to Old Manali's cafés and to Mall Road. Mall Road is downhill, so most guests take a taxi back up.
How many people can stay?
Up to 14 guests across the 3, 4 or 5 bedroom options.
Is there a swimming pool or air conditioning?
No. There is a pool table. There is no air conditioning, and the cottage is not wheelchair accessible.
How do I book?
Call or WhatsApp +91 9459040000 with your dates and group size.