Your stay — Ila cottage
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Shillong.
The Property — Ila cottage
Ila Cottage is a quiet, budget-conscious guesthouse tucked into a residential lane of upper Shillong with seven clean, simple rooms. Its main draw is the owners – a Khasi family who cook a solid breakfast and give honest advice on local walks and market days. It suits independent travellers who want a low-fuss base, not luxury: think bare-bones lobby with laminate furniture and a noticeboard of trekking routes rather than a concierge desk.
Chroniken von Shillong
Shillong was built in the 1860s as the summer capital of British Assam: the colonial planners laid out wide, tree-lined roads on a grassy plateau at 1,500m, earning the name 'Scotland of the East'. The city surged after the 1972 creation of Meghalaya state, when it became the capital of a new Khasi-majority hill state. Today its centre is a dense, chaotic jumble of concrete shop-houses and Gothic-era churches, while the outskirts hold the pine forests and minor waterfalls that draw visitors. The Khasi matrilineal society shapes everyday life – property and clan names pass through women – which adds a distinctive social texture to the city's contemporary identity.
Best Time to Visit
Vollständiger Shillong-Guide →Best months
October and November: post-monsoon skies are clear, landscape is lush from the wet season, and daytime temperatures sit around 18-22°C – perfect for walking around Ward's Lake and the Shillong Peak viewpoint. April is good too: the pre-monsoon warmth (up to 25°C) keeps things dry and the cherries bloom around the golf course.
Peak / festival surge
December to February: winter brings crisp, cold days (5-15°C) and crowds from domestic tourists escaping the plains. Hotel prices jump 30-50% above the annual average, with many places full over Christmas and New Year. January also sees the Shillong Autumn Festival (a misnomer – it's a winter music-and-culture event) which packs the town.
Budget shoulder season
Shoulder months June and early July: monsoon has started but June is still relatively mild, with fewer visitors and discounts of 15-20% on high-season rates. September is also lean – rains tail off, the hills are deep green, and you'll find empty restaurants and negotiable prices.
Weather & packing
Shillong's quirk is sudden cloudbursts even in dry months: a sunny morning can switch to drizzle by lunch. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or a compact umbrella that fits in a daypack, and always carry a warm layer – evenings drop to 12°C even in July.
Live City Briefing — Shillong
- Shillong's new bypass road from Nongmynsong to Mawprem opened in late 2025, reducing city-centre traffic jams, but the main thoroughfare along Police Bazaar is still dug up for a drainage upgrade – expect delays if driving into town.
- The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council recently banned single-use plastics in all tourist lodges; Ila Cottage enforces this, so bring a refillable water bottle.
- July is peak monsoon – heavy rain often causes minor landslides on the Shillong–Guwahati highway; check NH 6 conditions the day before your departure.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ila cottage, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the upper floors (3rd or 4th floor) for a quieter experience, as the lower floors may receive more street noise from the city of Shillong. The elevator is available, so you can opt for a room on a higher floor without worrying about stairs.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the service entrance or any areas near potential noise sources, such as the main road outside the hotel, which may generate traffic noise.
Best views
Unfortunately, the address of Ila Cottage in Shillong doesn't provide any information about the hotel's orientation or view options.
Quietest floors
2nd-4th floors
🔊 Noise notes
Shillong is a city with significant traffic, so street noise may be present throughout the hotel. Be prepared for possible noise from the main road outside.
Insider tips
1. If you're planning to visit during peak season, consider checking-in early to secure a room on a higher floor. 2. Ask the hotel staff about any local events or festivals that may affect noise levels in the area, as Shillong has a lively cultural scene.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Ila cottage
Free Wi-Fi, 50 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, no stairs-only sections
complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader, no physical papers
3:00 PM - 9:00 PM, early bag-drop available from 10:00 AM, ₹500 late check-out fee (until 5:00 PM)
available, ₹100 per bag per day
step-free access, wheelchair entries, limited accessibility in some rooms
on-site parking available, ₹200 per night, nearest public car park ₹50 per day (Shillong Parking Lot), no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ₹50 per night per person (MGNREGA tax)
Deposit & card hold: ₹2000 advance deposit, ₹1000 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Seventh Day Adventist Church (270 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Seventh Day Adventist Church (285 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Salvation Army Red Cross (385 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Laitumkhrah Presbyterian Church (388 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
State Museum — 2.4 km · ~31 min walk
Fire Brigade Ground — 348 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 313 m · ~4 min walk
SRGT Parking Lot — 2.7 km · ~34 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Travellers typically exchange money at banks, currency exchange booths, or use ATMs. Be cautious of poor rates at airports or tourist bureaux.
Credit/debit cards are widely accepted in Shillong, especially in tourist areas. Contactless payments and mobile wallets like Paytm and Google Pay are also common.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service. ₹10-20 for porters, ₹20-50 for taxi drivers, and ₹50-100 for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of tea or filter coffee costs around ₹20-30 at local tea stalls.
A plate of thali (local meal) costs around ₹50-70 at street food stalls or small restaurants.
A meal at a local restaurant costs around ₹100-150 for a main course.
Street food is common near the Main Road and Police Bazaar areas.
Local supermarkets like Reliance Fresh and Spencer's Retail have outlets in Shillong.
Affordable shopping can be found at the Police Bazaar and Bara Bazaar markets.
A day pass for the Shillong city bus costs ₹20. From the airport, take a taxi or a bus (₹30-50) to get to the city center.
Use local buses and taxis, avoid eating at touristy restaurants, and shop at local markets for affordable deals.
Good to know — Shillong
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹96.48 · INR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Shillong, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ila cottage
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 313 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Shillong Bus Stand (Mawlai) → Hotel Yalana (near Khyndailad)
💡 Buses are crowded but cheap. Route 1 or 3 passes near the Secretariat stop. Ask the conductor—they’ll point you off at the right corner. Not tourist-friendly if you have luggage.
Police Bazaar, Shillong → Hotel Yalana
💡 Shared Sumos run fixed routes—tell the driver 'Yalana Hotel near Secretariat'. They fill up fast; you’ll wait until full. Cash only, exact change helps.
Shillong Railway Station (via Guwahati) → Hotel Yalana
💡 No direct train into Shillong—nearest station is in Guwahati. From there, take a shared taxi to Shillong (₹300-400 per person) then this local prepaid. Book at the tourist kiosk near the station.
Umroi Airport (SHL) → Hotel Yalana, Shillong
💡 Pre-book with the hotel or local taxi union to avoid haggling. The airport is small, with no metered cabs—just fixed rates. Expect a winding road through pine forests.
Über Shillong
Wikipedia ↗
Shillong (English: , Khasi: [ʃɨlːɔːŋ]), the capital of Meghalaya, India, is a hill station and the headquarters of the East Khasi Hills district. It is the 330th most populous city in India, with a population of 143,229 according to the 2011 census. It is said that the rolling hills around the town...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ila cottage?
Request rooms on the upper floors (3rd or 4th floor) for a quieter experience, as the lower floors may receive more street noise from the city of Shillong. The elevator is available, so you can opt for a room on a higher floor without worrying about stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ila cottage?
Avoid rooms near the service entrance or any areas near potential noise sources, such as the main road outside the hotel, which may generate traffic noise.
Is Ila cottage noisy?
Shillong is a city with significant traffic, so street noise may be present throughout the hotel. Be prepared for possible noise from the main road outside.
Which rooms have the best views at Ila cottage?
Unfortunately, the address of Ila Cottage in Shillong doesn't provide any information about the hotel's orientation or view options.
What are insider tips for staying at Ila cottage?
1. If you're planning to visit during peak season, consider checking-in early to secure a room on a higher floor. 2. Ask the hotel staff about any local events or festivals that may affect noise levels in the area, as Shillong has a lively cultural scene.
What time is check-in at Ila cottage?
Check-in at Ila cottage is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ila cottage have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi, 50 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ila cottage?
₹50 per night per person (MGNREGA tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near Ila cottage?
A plate of thali (local meal) costs around ₹50-70 at street food stalls or small restaurants.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ila cottage?
A day pass for the Shillong city bus costs ₹20. From the airport, take a taxi or a bus (₹30-50) to get to the city center.
When is the best time to visit Shillong?
October and November: post-monsoon skies are clear, landscape is lush from the wet season, and daytime temperatures sit around 18-22°C – perfect for walking around Ward's Lake and the Shillong Peak viewpoint. April is good too: the pre-monsoon warmth (up to 25°C) keeps things dry and the cherries bloom around the golf course.
Top-Attraktionen in Shillong
💡 Free entry. Ask the librarian to show you the original police gazettes from the 19th century — fascinating local history for free.
💡 Free to wander. Try the local jadoh (rice and pork) from a roadside stall for ₹30. The best busking happens on weekends from 4 PM.
💡 Entry is free but the observation deck costs ₹10. Visit on a clear morning for the best visibility; the mist often rolls in by afternoon.
💡 Entry is ₹10 for adults. Go at sunrise or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and catch the golden light on the water.
💡 Low cost at ₹100 entry. Start from the top floor and work down — the rooftop view of Shillong is worth the climb.