Your stay — Assam House
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The Property — Assam House
Assam House is a modest three-storey guest house on Police Bazaar's edge, with a quiet tiled lobby that smells of tea and old wood. It suits budget travellers and backpackers who want a central base without frills — clean rooms, a rooftop that catches afternoon sun, and a common area where people actually talk to each other. The USP is location: you can walk to Ward's Lake in ten minutes or step straight into the market's noise.
Chronicles of Shillong
Shillong was founded by the British in 1864 as the summer capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam, chosen for its cool climate and pine-clad hills. The city's architecture is a mix of colonial bungalows, Presbyterian stone churches (Shillong has one of the highest concentrations of Christians in India), and newer concrete blocks. It became the capital of Meghalaya in 1972 after the state's formation. Today, the city is as much about its music scene and college culture as its old-world charm — live bands in cafés, street art near Police Bazaar, and a strong Khasi identity that resists assimilation.
Best Time to Visit
Full Shillong guide →Best months
October to December: clear skies, cool afternoons, and the city's winter festivals like the Shillong Autumn Festival in November.
Peak / festival surge
December 25 to January 5 is peak: Christmas and New Year bring tourists for the festivities, hotel rates double or triple, and accommodation books out two months ahead. The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival (November) also spikes demand.
Budget shoulder season
March and April are good shoulder months — still pleasant before the monsoon, with lower rates and fewer crowds.
Weather & packing
Shillong has a 'double monsoon' — heavy rain from June to September plus a second wet spell in March. Pack a waterproof jacket and a pair of rubber-soled shoes that can handle muddy streets.
Live City Briefing — Shillong
- The new flyover at Police Bazaar junction is finally open, easing the worst congestion in the city centre. Taxis from the bus stand now take 10 minutes instead of 30.
- Ward's Lake has reopened after a year of restoration — the walking path and boathouse are clean again, but the café is still closed.
- July is peak monsoon: expect daily heavy downpours and occasional landslides on the Shillong-Guwahati highway. Allow an extra 90 minutes for road transfers.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Assam House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (above the 3rd floor) for a quieter stay, as the hotel is located in a busy area and street noise from the main road can be a concern. The fact that the hotel has a lift suggests that the rooms on higher floors might be less prone to noise from the lobby or service area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or near the service entrance, as these areas tend to receive more foot traffic and noise from staff and deliveries.
Best views
Given the hotel's location in Shillong, rooms on the upper floors facing east or west may offer views of the surrounding hills or the city skyline.
Quietest floors
The 4th floor and above are likely to be the quietest, given the hotel's layout and the presence of a lift.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel's main road location means that street noise can be a concern, especially during peak hours. Additionally, the service entrance may generate some noise, particularly in the mornings and afternoons.
Insider tips
Consider requesting a room with a balcony or a window that opens for some fresh air, as the rooms can feel a bit stuffy due to the hotel's interior design. If you're driving, be aware that parking can be a challenge in Shillong, so it's best to arrive early or use a taxi service to get to the hotel.
- 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 — Assam House
free fibre-optic WiFi throughout, no login constraints, 100 Mbps speed
serves all floors, no stairs-only sections
complimentary PressReader service with access to international newspapers
check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop from 12:00, late check-out until 14:00 (₹ 500 fee)
available 24/7, ₹ 100 per day
step-free access, wheelchair ramp at main entrance, some rooms wheelchair-accessible
on-site parking available (₹ 200 per night), nearest public car park is at Police Bazaar (₹ 150 per day), no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ₹ 50 per night/person
Deposit & card hold: ₹ 1,000 advance deposit + incidental card hold of ₹ 5,000 at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Police Bazar Presbyterian Church (177 m · ~2 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Bharat Sevashram Sangha (480 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Garo Baptist Church (752 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Mizo Church (766 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Marba Hub — 407 m · ~5 min walk
Lady Hydari Park — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
State Museum — 799 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
SBI Atm — 98 m · ~1 min walk
Raps — 356 m · ~4 min walk
SRGT Parking Lot — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Use ATMs or exchange at a bank in Police Bazaar or the main city centre; avoid the airport or tourist bureau counters as rates are poor.
Cards accepted in most shops, restaurants, and hotels in the central area; contactless and mobile pay (Google Pay, PhonePe) are common in restaurants and taxis.
Not expected but appreciated: 5-10% in nicer restaurants for good service; round up taxi fares; tip hotel staff 20-50 rupees for carrying bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Small street-side tea stall serving cutting chai (masala tea) for about 10-20 INR.
A thali plate at a small local eatery (rice, dal, veg curry) for 80-120 INR.
A plate of momos or jadoh (rice with meat) at a local dhaba for around 100-150 INR.
Police Bazaar and the area around Iewduh market have stalls selling momos, pork rolls, jadoh, and pukhlein (fried rice cakes) from late afternoon.
Supermarket chains like Big Bazaar (near Police Bazaar) and Modern Bazaar are common for staples and snacks.
Police Bazaar's main market street and the lanes off it are full of shops selling affordable local wear and cloth at fixed and bargain prices.
Shared cabs (sumo or tourer) within the city cost 20-50 INR per ride; from Guwahati airport, a shared sumo to Shillong costs about 300-400 INR per person.
Eat at local dhabas and street stalls instead of tourist restaurants; negotiate taxi fares before getting in; buy fresh produce from Iewduh market rather than tourist shops.
Good to know — Shillong
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹96.34 · 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 Assam House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · SBI Atm — 98 m · ~1 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.
About 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 Assam House?
Request a room on the higher floors (above the 3rd floor) for a quieter stay, as the hotel is located in a busy area and street noise from the main road can be a concern. The fact that the hotel has a lift suggests that the rooms on higher floors might be less prone to noise from the lobby or service area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Assam House?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or near the service entrance, as these areas tend to receive more foot traffic and noise from staff and deliveries.
Is Assam House noisy?
The hotel's main road location means that street noise can be a concern, especially during peak hours. Additionally, the service entrance may generate some noise, particularly in the mornings and afternoons.
Which rooms have the best views at Assam House?
Given the hotel's location in Shillong, rooms on the upper floors facing east or west may offer views of the surrounding hills or the city skyline.
What are insider tips for staying at Assam House?
Consider requesting a room with a balcony or a window that opens for some fresh air, as the rooms can feel a bit stuffy due to the hotel's interior design. If you're driving, be aware that parking can be a challenge in Shillong, so it's best to arrive early or use a taxi service to get to the hotel.
What time is check-in at Assam House?
Check-in at Assam House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Assam House have Wi-Fi?
free fibre-optic WiFi throughout, no login constraints, 100 Mbps speed
Is there a city or tourist tax at Assam House?
₹ 50 per night/person
Where can I eat cheaply near Assam House?
A thali plate at a small local eatery (rice, dal, veg curry) for 80-120 INR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Assam House?
Shared cabs (sumo or tourer) within the city cost 20-50 INR per ride; from Guwahati airport, a shared sumo to Shillong costs about 300-400 INR per person.
When is the best time to visit Shillong?
October to December: clear skies, cool afternoons, and the city's winter festivals like the Shillong Autumn Festival in November.
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.