🇮🇳 Shillong, India
A la Maison
📍 Laban east road, Shillong, 793004
Your stay — A la Maison
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 — A la Maison
A la Maison is a quiet, family-run guesthouse tucked into a leafy lane near Police Bazaar. It feels more like staying in a friend’s well-kept home than a hotel: polished wood floors, a small garden and a dining room where the owner often cooks local dishes. The USP is location – you’re a five-minute walk from the main market – and the genuine, unhurried hospitality. It’s best for a solo traveller or couple who wants a no-fuss, characterful base, not a boutique or resort experience.
Chronicles of Shillong
Shillong began as the colonial summer capital of Assam in 1864, chosen by the British for its cool climate. They laid out a town of neat bungalows, churches and a golf course – the oldest in Asia – which still define the centre’s look. After independence, it became the capital of Meghalaya and evolved into a bustling hill station mixing Khasi matrilineal traditions with a youthful, music-driven edge. Today its identity is proudly distinct: a laid-back, artsy city where live jazz and local hip-hop sit alongside Presbyterian Sunday mornings.
Best Time to Visit
Full Shillong guide →Best months
October and November – clear skies, crisp air and hills still green after the monsoon; the autumn light is lovely for walks and the tourist rush hasn’t built. December also works well for crisp winter days.
Peak / festival surge
The peak runs from December to January (Christmas and New Year crowds) and again in April (Easter holidays plus the Behdienkhlam festival in nearby Jowai). Hotel prices can jump 20–30% in these windows; book three months ahead for A la Maison.
Budget shoulder season
February and March offer the best budget window: cooler but dry, very few visitors, and rates at the property are often 15% lower than peak. September is also quiet but still has residual rain.
Weather & packing
Shillong’s monsoon is serious: July gets over 400mm of rain and it can drizzle all day. Pack a proper waterproof jacket, waterproof shoes and a lightweight, quick-dry long-sleeved top; leave cotton jeans at home – they’ll stay wet.
Live City Briefing — Shillong
- Road widening on Jail Road started in June 2026, causing one-way diversions near Police Bazaar; allow an extra 20 minutes for taxi transfers in and out of the city centre.
- Ward’s Lake remains closed for a two-year desilting and restoration project (due to reopen 2027); the adjacent botanical garden is still open, but the lake walk is not available.
- The Meghalaya tourism department introduced a mandatory online registration for all homestays and guesthouses from April 2026, so confirm A la Maison has your check-in ID pre-registered to avoid delays.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to A la Maison, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the higher floors (3rd or above) facing away from Laban East Road. These are likeliest to be quieter and may have distant valley views.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor or first-floor rooms at the front of the building. The street is Laban East Road—a local thoroughfare with two‑wheelers, taxis, and market noise, especially early mornings and evenings.
Best views
Upper floors at the back may offer partial views of surrounding hills or the Shillong skyline. Front rooms look onto a busy road and local shops—not scenic.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above, rear side of the building. A 3‑star hotel in Shillong typically has 3–5 floors; the top floor is usually the quietest.
🔊 Noise notes
Laban East Road carries local traffic (autorickshaws, buses, motorbikes) from around 6:30am to 9pm. Market stalls operate nearby; expect vendor calls and general street bustle. The hotel may have a small bar or common room on the ground floor with occasional chatter to 10pm.
Insider tips
1. Request a room away from the front road and away from the lift shaft—many older 3‑star hotels have noisy lifts. 2. If you drive, ask if they have off‑street parking; many Shillong hotels on this road offer limited parking—book ahead or park on side streets near the police station.
- 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 — A la Maison
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, sufficient for browsing and video calls; no login constraints beyond room number
Single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; building is a converted bungalow, no notable heritage quirks
Standard check-in 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 for INR 500, after 12:00 charged as half day
Free for day of arrival/departure; long-term storage not offered
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; lift to all floors; no wheelchair-adapted bathrooms
On-site parking free for one car per room (first come, first served); nearest public car park is Police Bazaar parking lot, INR 100 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; at check-in a refundable hold of INR 2000 on credit/debit card for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Satsang Vihar (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: All Saints Cathedral (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Place of worship: Garo Baptist Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Place of worship: Rilbong Puja Mandap (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Marba Hub — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Lady Hydari Park — 396 m · ~5 min walk
State Museum — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 905 m · ~11 min walk
SRGT Parking Lot — 3.1 km · ~38 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange counters at Shillong Airport and tourist bureaux—they give poor rates.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) work in most hotels and larger shops, but small eateries and markets prefer cash. Mobile pay (Google Pay, PhonePe) is widely used in the area.
Restaurants: 10% if service charge isn't added. Taxis: round up to nearest 10 INR. Hotel staff: 20–50 INR for carrying bags or cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard filter coffee or tea from a local stall costs about 10–20 INR.
A thali (rice, dal, veg curry) at a modest eatery runs 80–120 INR.
A simple main dish like dal makhani or chicken curry at a common dhaba is around 150–200 INR.
Police Bazaar area and Market Road have clusters of street stalls with momos, jalebis, and aloo chops from 10–50 INR.
Supermarkets like Reliance Fresh and local mom-and-pop stores are common for basics; no major budget chain in this exact area.
Affordable clothing markets like Bara Bazaar near Police Bazaar offer local textiles and ready-made garments from 200–500 INR.
Shared taxis (sumos) run fixed routes (e.g., to city centre or nearby villages) for 10–30 INR per ride. From Shillong Airport, take a shared taxi to the city (about 30–40 INR per person). No local day pass.
Eat at dhabas or street stalls in Police Bazaar rather than hotel restaurants. Use shared taxis over private cabs. Buy bottled water from local shops (20 INR) instead of hotels.
Good to know — Shillong
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹95.44 · 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 A la Maison
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 905 m · ~11 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at A la Maison?
Request rooms on the higher floors (3rd or above) facing away from Laban East Road. These are likeliest to be quieter and may have distant valley views.
Which rooms should I avoid at A la Maison?
Avoid ground-floor or first-floor rooms at the front of the building. The street is Laban East Road—a local thoroughfare with two‑wheelers, taxis, and market noise, especially early mornings and evenings.
Is A la Maison noisy?
Laban East Road carries local traffic (autorickshaws, buses, motorbikes) from around 6:30am to 9pm. Market stalls operate nearby; expect vendor calls and general street bustle. The hotel may have a small bar or common room on the ground floor with occasional chatter to 10pm.
Which rooms have the best views at A la Maison?
Upper floors at the back may offer partial views of surrounding hills or the Shillong skyline. Front rooms look onto a busy road and local shops—not scenic.
What are insider tips for staying at A la Maison?
1. Request a room away from the front road and away from the lift shaft—many older 3‑star hotels have noisy lifts. 2. If you drive, ask if they have off‑street parking; many Shillong hotels on this road offer limited parking—book ahead or park on side streets near the police station.
What time is check-in at A la Maison?
Check-in at A la Maison is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does A la Maison have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, sufficient for browsing and video calls; no login constraints beyond room number
Is there a city or tourist tax at A la Maison?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near A la Maison?
A thali (rice, dal, veg curry) at a modest eatery runs 80–120 INR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from A la Maison?
Shared taxis (sumos) run fixed routes (e.g., to city centre or nearby villages) for 10–30 INR per ride. From Shillong Airport, take a shared taxi to the city (about 30–40 INR per person). No local day pass.
When is the best time to visit Shillong?
October and November – clear skies, crisp air and hills still green after the monsoon; the autumn light is lovely for walks and the tourist rush hasn’t built. December also works well for crisp winter days.
Top Attractions 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.