Stay at The Hosteller Lansdowne - Uttarakhand's Most Paisa Wasool Hostel

POV: You’ve planned a trip to Lansdowne. 

Enter The Hosteller Lansdowne, a budget stay in Lansdowne tucked inside a pine forest at 1,706 m above sea level, about 260 km from Delhi. It's the only dedicated backpacker hostel in Lansdowne, and it's been quietly winning over solo travellers, weekend trippers, and budget backpackers since it opened.

So is it actually worth booking? Short answer: yes. Long answer: keep reading, because we're breaking it all down, from pricing and amenities to the exact distance from the nearest railway station and what to expect at the Myngl Café.

8 reasons The Hosteller Lansdowne is a total paisa wasool stay

1. Prime location - close to everything, far from the noise

One of the biggest wins at The Hosteller Lansdowne is where it sits. The hostel is conveniently placed within easy reach of Lansdowne's most-visited spots: Bhulla Taal (a scenic lake popular for boating), St. John's Church (a beautiful colonial-era landmark dating back to 1895), and the Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple. The famous Tip-n-Top viewpoint, which on clear days offers panoramic Himalayan views, is also just a short drive away.

The twist? "Prime location" here doesn't mean a noisy main road or a cramped market lane. The property is tucked inside a quiet forest, giving you the rare combination of easy access to the town's attractions and total peace the moment you walk back through the gate. A beautiful forest trail starts right from the hostel, no taxi required.

2. A dream nature escape - forests, trails, and stargazing included

Lansdowne sits at 1,706 m above sea level and is one of Uttarakhand's quietest hill stations, no Manali-level crowds, no Mussoorie traffic jams. The Hosteller Lansdowne leans fully into this. The property is surrounded by dense pine forest, and the hostel runs regular forest trail hikes and nature walks led by community managers who actually know the area.

Come evening, the bonfire pit comes to life under a genuinely dark, star-filled sky. Lansdowne's low light pollution makes it one of the better spots for stargazing in this part of Uttarakhand, something no hotel review ever seems to mention but every guest ends up raving about.

3. Genuinely affordable - and the only hostel in Lansdowne

Lansdowne has plenty of hotels and resorts, but when it comes to budget accommodation in Lansdowne, options are slim, which is exactly why The Hosteller Lansdowne stands out. With dorm beds starting from approximately ₹430/night, it's significantly cheaper than most hotels in town, which start upward of ₹2,000 for a basic room.

Mixed dorms and female-only dorms are both available, making it a solid pick for solo women travellers who want affordability without compromising on safety or comfort. Not a dorm person? Private rooms are available too, they cost more, but you get forest views and a bit of extra fun for the extra rupees.

Since Lansdowne is a destination you can genuinely explore in 2 days, spending big on accommodation rarely makes sense. Save those extra hundreds for your next adventure.

4. Forest and sunset views from your bed - not just the brochure

This isn't a "stunning views from select rooms" situation. At The Hosteller Lansdowne, forest views are available across both dorms and private rooms, and the common areas are positioned to catch the best sunsets. Guests consistently describe waking up to rising sun through pine trees, the kind of thing you'd pay ₹6,000 a night for at a resort, and here it comes standard with a dorm bed.

The golden hour hits different at 1,706 m. Whether you're sipping chai on the balcony or just wandering to the common area in the morning, the views make it worth the early wake-up call.

5. Amenities that go beyond a bed and a roof

Here's a quick rundown of what you actually get at The Hosteller Lansdowne:

• Myngl Café - in-house vegetarian café (9 AM–2 PM, 6–11 PM), à la carte menu
• Free Wi-Fi across the property (workation-friendly)
• Foosball table, board games, and a bookshelf in the common area
• Bonfire pit for evening gatherings under the stars
• 24-hour front desk and concierge service
• Lockers in dorm rooms (one per bed; bring your own lock or buy one at reception)
• Pet-friendly in private rooms - no extra charge
• Tour desk for local sightseeing and trail guidance

The café is fully vegetarian, which suits Lansdowne's general vibe as a quiet, family-friendly town. If you're a non-vegetarian, stock up in town or plan meals accordingly.

6. Community vibes that actually deliver

One of the things that separates a good hostel from a great one is whether the "community" part is real or just marketing copy. At The Hosteller Lansdowne, it's real, and the community managers here are a big reason why. They run activities that go beyond the usual: organised forest treks to hidden viewpoints, city walks covering Lansdowne's colonial history, movie nights, and live music sessions on weekends.

The common areas are designed to make strangers into travel buddies, think communal dining tables, good lighting, and enough games to break the ice without being awkward about it. Multiple guests have described it as the kind of place where you land solo and leave with a group chat full of people planning the next trip.

Tip: Good to know for solo travellers: The Hosteller's community hosts are on-site and actively organise group activities. You don't need to arrive with a plan, they'll sort you out.

7. Nature-inspired design that actually fits its surroundings

Ever stayed in a hostel that feels like a natural extension of the surrounding forest? The Hosteller Lansdowne, nestled within a lush woodland, draws inspiration from its beautiful surroundings. Its cool, natural colour palette and thoughtful decor harmoniously blend with the verdant greenery outside. The decor and furnishings subtly reference local flora, creating an interior that feels like a seamless continuation of the landscape rather than a stark contrast.

It's the kind of subtle design thinking that you might not consciously notice at check-in, but you'll definitely feel by day two. Less "cool hostel", more "this actually belongs here."

8. A personalised stay - not a conveyor belt experience

The Hosteller Lansdowne has 30 rooms, small enough that the staff actually know who you are, but large enough that there's always something happening. Whether you want to spend the day on a trek, plug in your laptop at the café for a workation afternoon, or just read in the common area all day with zero judgment, the space accommodates all of it without forcing you into a schedule.

The hostel's concierge team helps with transport bookings to nearby sights, local recommendations, and early/late check-in arrangements where possible. Small things, but they add up.

How to reach The Hosteller Lansdowne from Delhi

Lansdowne is well-connected from Delhi and makes an ideal weekend getaway. Here are your best options:

• By road (recommended): ~260 km via NH-58 toward Kotdwar, then the Lansdowne road. Journey time is 5–6 hours depending on traffic. Buses from Delhi's Anand Vihar and Kashmere Gate ISBT also run to Kotdwar and Lansdowne directly.
• By train + cab: Take a train to Kotdwar Railway Station (the nearest railhead, ~40 km from Lansdowne), then a local cab (approximately ₹500–700 for the 1-hour mountain drive).
• By flight: The closest airport is Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun), roughly 100 km away. From there, a cab to Lansdowne takes about 2.5–3 hours.

Best time to visit Lansdowne

Lansdowne is a year-round destination but the experience varies significantly by season. October to June is generally the best window — summers (April–June) are pleasant at around 25°C max, and winters (November–February) are cold and crisp, sometimes dropping to near 0°C. The annual Sharadotsav Festival in autumn (around October) is a great time to visit if you want to catch local cultural events.

Avoid July to September (monsoon season). While the landscapes are lush and green, the region sees heavy rainfall, a risk of landslides, and reduced accessibility on mountain roads.

Planning your Lansdowne trip? These will help

→ A Lansdowne weekend guide 

→ 7 things to do in Lansdowne 

→ 2-day Lansdowne itinerary 

The Hosteller Lansdowne is waiting for you….

Now that we've sorted your stay in Lansdowne, you can focus on the good stuff, soaking in the chill vibes, exploring the forests, catching those golden-hour sunsets, and making memories you'll actually want to tell people about. At ~₹430/night for a dorm, you're getting forest views, bonfire nights, a buzzing community, and staff who genuinely want your trip to go well. That's not just paisa wasool, that's a straight-up steal.

The only thing left? Turning those travel dreams into reality. Book your stay at The Hosteller Lansdowne today and let the adventure begin!