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Sunnymead was constructed at the turn of the last century and is one of the oldest surviving residences in Shimla. Its design is an adaptation from an English architectural pattern book by R.A. “Bungalow” Briggs, a copy of which still remains in the house.
Opened to guests in 2011 to help fund its upkeep and conservation, Sunnymead is first and foremost an exercise in preserving a remarkable old house. Above all, it remains a much loved family home that we are delighted to share with like minded guests who appreciate history, architecture and the quieter pleasures of the hills.
Sunnymead is unusual in modern day Shimla because it retains its original Dhajji Dewari construction, a traditional Himalayan method of building with timber, stone and mud that has protected mountain homes for generations and is renowned for its resilience during earthquakes.
Rather than replacing the original structure with modern cement, we chose to restore it using traditional methods. Skilled craftsmen painstakingly repaired the timber frame, stone infill and five layers of mud plaster before the house was finished with traditional limewash, preserving both its character and the craftsmanship of an earlier age.
Wherever possible, the restoration incorporated materials salvaged from dismantled colonial buildings, including the former gatehouse of the Viceregal Lodge.
No trees were felled during the renovation and every effort was made to retain the original fabric of the house.
Today, Sunnymead remains a lived in family home rather than a recreated period property. The house continues to evolve while respecting its history and architectural heritage.
Our approach to sustainability is guided by simple, practical measures that respect both the house and its surroundings.
Rainwater harvested from the roofs supplies the guest bathroom WCs, laundry and gardens. Greywater is reused wherever possible and biodegradable waste is composted to nourish our organic kitchen garden, where many of the herbs, fruits and vegetables served at breakfast are grown.
The house is powered in part by rooftop solar panels, with surplus electricity exported back to the grid. During the colder months our fireplaces burn a combination of bamboo briquettes, naturally fallen timber and pine cones collected from the estate.
Water is one of the Himalayas’ most precious resources. To help conserve it, bed linen and towels are changed every three days unless guests request otherwise.
We have consciously reduced the use of single use plastics throughout the house.
Guest bathrooms are stocked with refillable dispensers of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and moisturiser, together with natural soaps and Ayurvedic toiletries.
Rather than providing disposable plastic water bottles, we encourage guests to carry a reusable bottle while exploring Shimla. We are always happy to refill bottles with filtered drinking water before you head out for the day.
Waste is carefully segregated, composted or recycled wherever possible.
Conservation does not end at our garden gate.
Sunnymead supports community waste collection in the surrounding neighbourhood and regularly funds and supervises the removal of plastic waste from nearby woodland streams.
Wherever possible, we source ingredients, services and materials locally, helping to support small businesses and skilled craftspeople in the region.
Sunnymead has never sought to be a conventional hotel. It is a family home that has been carefully restored and thoughtfully adapted for modern living while preserving the traditions and craftsmanship that make it unique.
Our aim is simply to care for this remarkable house and the landscape around it, so that both may continue to be enjoyed by future generations.