Onora Hospitality to open jüSTa Darkwood Lodge & Spa in Shimla’s Jakhu Hills

Expanding boutique hospitality in Himachal Pradesh

Onora Hospitality has announced the signing of jüSTa Darkwood Lodge & Spa, a heritage-style boutique retreat in the forested surroundings of Jakhu Hills. The upcoming property will mark the company’s sixth hotel in Himachal Pradesh, strengthening the regional footprint of its hospitality brand jüSTa Hotels & Resorts.

Located near Jakhu Temple and a short distance from Mall Road, the hotel is expected to open in mid-March 2026, offering travellers a heritage-inspired stay within Shimla’s cedar forest landscape.

Heritage residence restored into a boutique retreat

The property is housed within a late-19th-century residence, historically associated with the early development of Shimla’s water supply infrastructure. The structure has been carefully restored to preserve its traditional hill-station architecture while adapting the interiors to contemporary hospitality standards.

Set within dense cedar forest and connected to historic walking routes around Seog Bagh and Sanjauli, the retreat integrates heritage storytelling with nature-led experiences.

Colonial design with contemporary comfort

Constructed primarily with deodar wood, the hotel’s design draws inspiration from Shimla’s colonial-era architecture. Interiors feature extensive woodwork and warm textures while maintaining a modern boutique aesthetic.

All guest rooms will offer views of the surrounding forest, with accommodation available across three distinct room categories, differentiated by layout and spatial design.

Wellness and nature-led guest experiences

Positioned as a premium boutique forest retreat, the property will offer a range of wellness and leisure amenities including:

• A full-service spa

• Dedicated yoga and indoor recreation spaces

• Guided nature walks along nearby forest trails

• An English-style café overlooking the cedar forest

Despite being close to Shimla’s main commercial district, the property’s wooded setting ensures a quieter environment while remaining accessible to key city attractions.

Strengthening Onora Hospitality’s Himalayan portfolio

According to Ashish Vohra, the signing reinforces the company’s strategy of expanding across high-potential leisure destinations in North India through distinctive, character-rich hospitality concepts.

With existing properties in Mashobra, Dharamshala, Manali, and Palampur, along with a Bookmark Resorts property in Manali, the new lodge further strengthens the group’s presence in Himachal Pradesh’s growing experiential travel market.