Atlas/meghalaya/Colonial Charm Homestay: Vintage Luxury

Colonial Charm Homestay: Vintage Luxury

Shillong· 4.4 · 254 stays

“A Shillong home with the feel of another time. Stone paths wind through a well-tended garden, full of orchids and flowering plants. The rooms have a vintage look, with dark wood floors and classic furniture. Guests say the food is superb and the staff, led by manager Bidaji, are warm and attentive. It's a quiet corner of the city, a little piece of old Shillong.”

A look around

What's here

The first thing you notice is the garden. A stone-paved path leads you through a space that feels a world away from the city, past potted plants and flowering bushes. It’s a quiet, green corner that sets the tone for the entire home. Inside, the rooms have an old-world character. Think dark wood floors, large windows looking out into the green, and simple, classic furniture. Some rooms have double beds, others have twins, all with an uncluttered, vintage feel. It’s a space that feels cared for and preserved, not just decorated. As one guest put it, the home has an "absolutely clean and beautiful old world charm." The kitchen is a highlight for many who stay. The breakfast is delicious, and the team serves excellent home-cooked meals throughout the day. The manager, Bidaji, and his staff are known for their quiet, attentive care. It's the kind of place guests return to, a home that feels like a piece of history. Another guest said it best: "Felt like I visited the British era. The garden was soothing to the eyes."

What guests wrote

4.4· 254 stays

“This beautifully, tastefully.thoughtfully appointed Cottage gives visitors the typical, traditional, colonial Shillong experience. Impeccably maintained, the caring staff at this property take care of your every need. I would recommend this little piece of countryside England , in Shillong, to any visitor to Shillong. This has an amazing location too. this p...”

SANGEETA KICHLU

“Excellent stay. The rooms are too beautiful. Vintage looks with a modern touch. The stay is beautifully designed depicting various types of orchid. The staff were very courteous. Food was excellent too. Felt like I visited the British era. The garden was soothing to the eyes.Will definitely revisit and if I again visit Shillong this property will always be m...”

RUPJYOTI KALITA

“Had a lovely stay at Areodene Cottages, Shillong. The hospitality was excellent and the staff were warm, polite, and always helpful. Special thanks to the manager Bidaji, for being so attentive and kind. The service was smooth, breakfast was delicious, and the overall experience was comfortable and relaxing. Highly recommended!”

gayatri Pandya

“Very beautiful place, beautiful garden well maintained rooms and courteous staff, excellent food. Had a very comfortable stay ,will surely advise other friends and families to stay and enjoy the place when in Shillong.”

anuradha goswami

“Listed and stayed for 2 days. Beautiful ambience and rooms. Absolutely clean and beautiful old world charm. Staff very courteous, helpful, obliging and attentive. Food superb.”

Winston Vaz

Where you are

Shillong.

The Meghalaya state capital — pine-covered ridges, waterfalls and a colonial hill-station core, and the gateway to the Khasi Hills.

Best time

Oct–Apr; Sep–Nov for clear post-monsoon skies

Nearest airport

Guwahati (GAU), ~100 km; Shillong (SHL) at Umroi, ~30 km, limited flights

Nearby

Elephant Falls · Shillong Peak · Umiam Lake

Approximate location · exact address shared after booking

Around the stay

Things to do nearby.

The home is a good starting point for exploring Shillong and the Khasi Hills. Ward's Lake is a short trip away, perfect for an evening stroll or a paddle boat ride among the rhododendrons. For a dose of culture, the seven-storey Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures offers a deep dive into the heritage of Northeast India's tribes.

A short drive of 12km takes you to the popular three-tier Elephant Falls. For wider views, head to Shillong Peak, the highest point in the area at 1,965m, for a panoramic look at the valley on a clear day. Closer to the centre, Lady Hydari Park & Mini Zoo is an easy stop, just a kilometre from Police Bazar.

For more dramatic landscapes, the Laitlum Canyons are a 25km drive east, offering ridge views that feel like the 'end of the hills'. And 25km southwest lies the Mawphlang Sacred Grove, a dense, protected Khasi forest best explored with a local guide who can share its stories. The 1936 Gothic-style Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians is also a notable landmark in the city.

Logistics

Getting there.

The most common way to arrive is by flying into Guwahati's Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU), which is 100km away. From there, it's a 3-hour drive on NH6 to Shillong. A smaller airport is located at Umroi (SHL), just 30km from Shillong, but it has limited flights, mostly from Kolkata, and can be affected by weather.

The nearest major railway station is also in Guwahati, 100km away. There is no rail connectivity to Meghalaya itself. From Guwahati, you can hire a taxi or take a shared Sumo to reach Shillong. Police Bazar is the central hub of Shillong, and the home is easily accessible from there.

Seasons

Best time to visit.

The best season for clear skies and sweeping views of the Khasi Hills is from October to April. The weather is pleasant for walking and day trips. The monsoon arrives in June and lasts through September, bringing the famous Meghalayan rain. While Shillong itself remains mostly accessible, some outlying sights may close. The landscape becomes incredibly lush and green during this time.

Before you book

The fine print, written plainly.

Frequently asked

The questions travellers ask.

The neighbours

Three more Shillong homes we love.