Johnson Lodge

Overview

About this property

Johnson Lodge is a boutique lodge in Manali, on Circuit House Road in Siyal. It began in the early 1900s as a family mountain bungalow built by Colonel C. R. Johnson, and it still keeps that old-world warmth today, as the lodge's own site says.

The lodge has local stone walls, timber interiors and colonial-era charm, set amid lawns and gardens. It was opened in its current form in August 2005, after Johnson Bar and Restaurant opened around Diwali 2004. The family runs it with a hands-on, personal touch.

Johnson Lodge suits people who like small, personal hotels. Couples, families and anyone who prefers a lodge over a big hotel will feel at home here. It is between Mall Road and Old Manali, so both are easy to reach on foot.

If you want a heritage stay in Manali, with good food, a spa and a family feel, Johnson Lodge is a good pick.

At a glance

What you get here

Everything above is taken from the hotel's own website. If something is not listed here, it means we could not confirm it from the official site, so we have not written it.

Rooms

Rooms made for rest

The rooms and cottages at Johnson Lodge are comfortable and full of character, with stone walls, timber work and mountain views. The lodge's gallery shows premium bedrooms, attic bedrooms with mountain views, family suites and a luxury villa living room, so there is space for couples, families and small groups.

The rooms are made for cool mountain weather, with a warm and cosy feel. After a day out in Manali, coming back to a quiet room in a stone lodge is part of the experience.

If you want a particular room style, ask the lodge when you book. The cottages give more space, which helps if you are travelling with family.

Room types and prices change with the season, so the lodge's own website will have the latest list. We do not show prices here because they change often, and we do not want to show you an old price.

Food & drink

Where to eat

Johnson Bar and Restaurant is the lodge's main place to eat, as its own site says. It serves refined Italian and Indian flavours, along with Southeast Asian and Mexican dishes, paired with cocktails in a warm setting.

There is also a cafe at the lodge, in a glass-enclosed veranda, as the lodge's gallery shows. It is a good place for a quiet coffee or a light meal, looking out over the gardens.

Being between Mall Road and Old Manali also means you have many other cafes and restaurants within walking distance. Old Manali, in particular, is famous for its small cafes, so try at least one of them during your stay.

Things to do

A slow day at the lodge

A good day at Johnson Lodge starts with breakfast, then out to Hadimba Temple and the Mall Road. Both are easy from the lodge, and a morning walk is the best way to see Manali town.

In the afternoon, Spa Magnolia is there if you want a quiet hour. Its calm music and peaceful decor make it a good place to rest after a morning of walking.

In the evening, a drink at Johnson Bar, then dinner at Johnson Bar and Restaurant. The food here covers Italian, Indian, Southeast Asian and Mexican dishes, so everyone in the group finds something they like.

If you have another day in Manali, use it for Solang Valley or Old Manali's cafes. The lodge's location means you start every outing without a long drive, and coming back to its gardens in the evening is a pleasure in itself.

Amenities

Most popular amenities

These are the amenities confirmed on the hotel's own website. Anything not listed here means we could not confirm it from the official site, so we have not written it.

Location

Where it is, and what is near

Manali is a mountain town in Himachal Pradesh, in the Kullu Valley. The hotels on this page are near Hadimba Road and the old town area, close to the main sights. From here, Mall Road, Hadimba Temple and Old Manali are easy to reach.

If this is your first time in Manali, these are the places most people visit: Hadimba Temple, the Mall Road, Old Manali with its cafes, Vashisht village with its hot springs, and Solang Valley for mountain views and adventure activities. Rohtang Pass, when it is open in the summer season, is a full-day trip on its own.

We have not written distances here on purpose. Mountain roads and traffic change travel time a lot, so a fixed number would go out of date fast. Ask your driver for the time on the day you travel.

Old Manali itself is worth a slow evening. It has small cafes, shops and guesthouses along narrow lanes, and it feels very different from the main Mall Road. If you like quiet places, spend an evening there.

Getting here

How to reach the hotel

Most guests reach Manali by road from Delhi or Chandigarh. It is a long drive up into the mountains, and most people break the journey with a night halt on the way. Cheapcab runs Delhi to Manali taxis, and the route pages on this site show the fare.

You can also fly to Bhuntar airport, near Kullu, and then take a taxi to Manali. Keep your hotel's name and address ready on your phone, and share it with your driver before you start, as mountain addresses can be confusing.

One practical tip: if you are coming in winter, check the road conditions before you travel, as snow can close the higher passes. If you are coming in summer, leave early in the morning to avoid the day traffic on the mountain roads.

Best time

Best time to visit Manali

The best time to visit Manali is from March to June. The weather is pleasant, the valleys are green, and the high passes start to open. This is also the busiest time, so book your hotel a few weeks ahead.

October to February brings cold weather and snow in the higher areas. If you want to see snowfall and enjoy a quiet mountain town, winter is a good time, but pack very warm clothes.

July to September brings rain. The mountains look fresh and green, and there are fewer tourists. But rain can slow down travel on mountain roads, so keep some extra time in hand if you come in the monsoon.

Good to know

Before you book

Cheapcab does not book hotels. You book a hotel on its own official website, using the button on this page. Prices, room types, check-in time and cancellation rules are all on the hotel's site, and they change with the season. Always read them there before you pay.

The photos on this page are from the hotel's official website, and the source link is given under the photo gallery. We do not use photos from booking sites or stock photo sites for hotels.

If you need a taxi to reach the hotel, or to go from Delhi to Manali, you can book it from Cheapcab. The taxi fare and the hotel stay are separate. Your taxi driver will not charge you for the hotel, and the hotel will not charge you for the taxi.

One last practical tip for Manali: carry warm clothes in every season, as mountain evenings get cold even in summer. Wear comfortable walking shoes, because the town and the temples are best explored on foot. Take it slow on your first day, as the altitude is high and your body needs time to adjust.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

More hotels

More hotels in Manali

Luxury resort

The Himalayan

Hotels are not included in the taxi fare — book them directly. Hotel photos unki official websites se li gayi hain.