I feel Keylong town, the head quarters of Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh, is one of the major town for stopovers among tourists who are on the course of their Ladakh journey or spending a vacation in lush green Lahaul Valley. There are quite a number of places to stay in Keylong with HPTDC Hotel Chandra Bhaga being the popular one. Personally I do not recommend a stay at Keylong rather suggest a stay at Jispa (further 20 odd KMs from Keylong) right on the banks of chandrabhaga river. However, as I didn’t know this fact so I opted to stay at Keylong in “Nalwa Guest House” on my Ladakh Journey. Here is the complete review of the “Nalwa Guest House”…

Pictures:

Views from the room…

The Room…

Address:

Nalwa Guest House, Keylong, Manali – Leh Highway, Himachal Pradesh.

Price:

They offered us Rs 800 for a two double bedded rooms internally attached together with common bathroom. The price range is between 300-500 for double bedded room depending on the fact if the bathroom is common or attached with the room.

Bookings / Reservations:

Currently, I don’t have any contact number with me for the hotel

Location:

As soon as you enter Keylong town on Manali – Leh Highway, there will be some shops on your right hand side. The hotel is also in between those shops and you will find it on your right hand side just on the Manali – Leh Highway. I feel perhaps anyone can suggest you the exact location once you enter Keylong town.

Personal Experience:

We stayed in two rooms which were connected with each other from inside which shared the common bathroom. The rooms were moderately comfortable with basic interior. The balcony offered some nice views of peaks and a far view of the violent chandrabhaga river river. The bathroom had the hot water supply to beat the cold. There was no room heater to provide warmth in cold conditions (at least we didn’t need it ) or may be since it was summers so they didn’t provided us. There was no TV set to beat the boredom of the place…

Quality of food/tea/coffee was just at satisfactory level, at least for us. Although they had bournvita milk with them which tasted fine … The soup we had was OK and the best thing served was curd with mashed tomato and onions in it. Overall I will rate the food as average.

Well for booze lovers, Liquor shop was not around the Hotel and may be one can find it in Keylong town. Although I am not sure though even in Keylong main market but the chances are high. I think best thing is to carry your own either from Manali or from your home …

Whatever little hospitality we received from the staff was good but we hardly got in touch with anyone in the hotel.

Parking:

The hotel does not have any parking facility of its own but there is ample space in front where you can park your vehicle easily.

ATM:

Nearest ATM is in the Keylong town which is approximately 2-3 KMs from the hotel.

Petrol Pump:

Nearest Petrol Pump is at Tandi, about 5 Kms before Keylong towards Manali on Manali – Leh Highway

Medical Assistance:

For any medical assistance you will have to reach the local hospital in Keylong town which is about 2-3 KMs away.

Attraction In-Around Hotel:

Well, you are right on the Manali-Leh highway and there is nothing much too see around this hotel. The view from the windows are decent but again its a too boring stay. You should rather prefer some hotel in Keylong town at least to get a feel of the town else without thinking much, go to Jispa, 20 odd KMs ahead. Jispa is a beautiful village right on the banks of chandrabhaga river with few hotels only and I feel one must always look for booking at Jispa rather staying at Keylong.

Conclusion:

Although the hotel seems to be economic but I won’t recommend staying at Keylong rather at any day will prefer a stay at any hotel in Jispa, about 20 odd KMs ahead of Keylong towards Leh on Manali-Leh highway. If you don’t have any choice due to limited bookings for hotels in Jispa, still I will not recommend this one due to below average food quality.