🇮🇳 Shillong, India
Esabella Hostel
📍 Laitumkhrah Main Road C/o Mimmolis Gatphoh, Behind Ramkrishna Dispensary, Lummawrie, Shillong, 79300, Shillong
Your stay — Esabella Hostel
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.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Esabella Hostel, 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 better views of the surrounding hills and reduced noise from the main road. These floors are also likely to be farther from the service entrance and lift, which may be a source of noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift as it may be a source of noise, especially during peak hours. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance may experience noise from staff activity.
Best views
Rooms on the 3rd or 4th floor may offer views of the surrounding hills and the city skyline.
Quietest floors
2nd floor (if present) or lower floors (1st or ground floor) may be quieter as they are likely to be farther from the main road and lift.
🔊 Noise notes
Laitumkhrah Main Road can be a busy street with traffic and pedestrians, which may cause noise pollution. The hotel's location behind the Ramkrishna Dispensary may also be a source of occasional noise from the dispensary's activities.
Insider tips
If you're driving, be aware that parking may be limited in the area, so it's best to arrive early to secure a spot. Request a room with a window that faces away from the main road to minimize noise disturbance.
- 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 — Esabella Hostel
free, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors; historic section on the third floor has stairs-only access
complimentary digital newsstand through PressReader, no physical papers
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM; early bag-drop available from 10:00 AM; late check-out until 2:00 PM, INR 200 fee after 12:00 PM
available 24/7, free for 3 hours, INR 50 per 12 hours beyond
step-free access to main entrance, wheelchair ramps, and accessible rooms; some rooms have structural limitations
on-site parking available, INR 100 per night; nearest public car park, Shillong Public Library Parking, INR 50 per day; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: INR 20 per night per person
Deposit & card hold: INR 200 advance deposit + INR 500 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
You can exchange currency at the airport or at local banks like SBI, but be aware that the rates might not be the best. For a better rate, head to the State Bank of India branch on MG Road.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Shillong, especially in tourist areas, but some small shops and street vendors might only accept cash. Mobile payments like Paytm and Google Pay are also increasingly popular.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service. In restaurants, 10% is sufficient, and for taxi drivers, rounding up the fare is enough.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a cup of tea or chai for around ₹20-30 at a local tea stall, or a cup of coffee for ₹40-50 at a small café.
A plate of thali at a local dhaba or street food stall costs around ₹50-70, and a meal at a small restaurant might cost ₹100-150.
A budget-friendly dinner option is a plate of fried rice or noodles at a local eatery for ₹80-120.
The streets around the Main Bazaar area are known for their affordable street food options, including local snacks and quick bites.
You can find affordable groceries at local markets like the ones near the Meghalaya State Museum or the G.S. Road market.
For affordable shopping, try the local markets like the Police Bazaar or the Bara Bazaar, where you can find a variety of clothing and accessories.
The cheapest way to get around is by using the city bus service, which costs ₹10-20 for a single ride. From the airport, take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw for around ₹150-200.
Try to avoid eating at touristy restaurants, opt for local eateries instead. Use public transportation or walk whenever possible. And, don't forget to bargain when shopping at local markets.
Good to know — Shillong
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹95.49 · 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 Esabella Hostel
🕒 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.
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 Esabella Hostel?
Request rooms on the upper floors (3rd or 4th floor) for better views of the surrounding hills and reduced noise from the main road. These floors are also likely to be farther from the service entrance and lift, which may be a source of noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Esabella Hostel?
Avoid rooms near the lift as it may be a source of noise, especially during peak hours. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance may experience noise from staff activity.
Is Esabella Hostel noisy?
Laitumkhrah Main Road can be a busy street with traffic and pedestrians, which may cause noise pollution. The hotel's location behind the Ramkrishna Dispensary may also be a source of occasional noise from the dispensary's activities.
Which rooms have the best views at Esabella Hostel?
Rooms on the 3rd or 4th floor may offer views of the surrounding hills and the city skyline.
What are insider tips for staying at Esabella Hostel?
If you're driving, be aware that parking may be limited in the area, so it's best to arrive early to secure a spot. Request a room with a window that faces away from the main road to minimize noise disturbance.
What time is check-in at Esabella Hostel?
Check-in at Esabella Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Esabella Hostel have Wi-Fi?
free, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Esabella Hostel?
INR 20 per night per person
Where can I eat cheaply near Esabella Hostel?
A plate of thali at a local dhaba or street food stall costs around ₹50-70, and a meal at a small restaurant might cost ₹100-150.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Esabella Hostel?
The cheapest way to get around is by using the city bus service, which costs ₹10-20 for a single ride. From the airport, take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw for around ₹150-200.
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.