Rock Manali by Vivaan

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about Rock Manali by Vivaan? It’s actually positioned perfectly on NH-21 in Rangri – far enough from the main Manali chaos to give you some peace, but close enough that you’re not stuck in the middle of nowhere. I mean, if you’ve been to Manali during peak season, you’ll appreciate this. The hotel sits in this sweet spot where you can still hear the Beas River if you listen carefully, especially from the upper floors, but you’re not dealing with the constant honking and tourist crowds that make Mall Road feel like a carnival sometimes.

The place genuinely lives up to its 5-star rating – and honestly, that 8.9 rating makes sense once you’re there. The spa is where they really shine (I’m not usually a spa person, but the mountain air and their treatments actually work well together). What I loved most was how they’ve managed to keep that boutique feel without being pretentious about it. The staff knows the area really well – like, when I asked about lesser-known trekking spots, the concierge didn’t just hand me a brochure. He actually sketched out a route to this waterfall near Jogini that most tourists miss completely. The rooms have this warm, almost cabin-like feel but with proper luxury touches. And the heating actually works, which… well, if you’ve stayed in budget places around here in winter, you know that’s not always guaranteed.

Here’s the thing about staying in Rangri versus central Manali – you get the best of both worlds. The hotel provides decent shuttle service to the main areas, but honestly, the short drive gives you these incredible valley views that you’d miss if you were stuck right in town. Plus, the check-in process was refreshingly smooth (no hour-long waits like some of the bigger chain hotels), and parking isn’t the nightmare it can be closer to Mall Road. The restaurant serves solid food too – they do this local trout preparation that’s actually better than most places in town charge twice as much for. My only minor gripe would be that the Wi-Fi can get a bit spotty during heavy snowfall, but I mean, you’re in the mountains – maybe that’s not entirely a bad thing. If you’re looking for a place that feels special without trying too hard, and you want to experience Manali without feeling like you’re camping out in a tourist trap, this is honestly one of the better choices in the area.