Leh Hotels and Resorts
We spent about a week in Leh sightseeing as well as lazing. But this was not a continuous stay; in between we went off on overnight trips to neighboring Shey, Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake. Each time we came back from a trip, we looked for a different accommodation just to be able to sample as much as possible of Leh’s hotels. And I think, in spite of the tremendous options available, we managed to find some real good ones and that too of varied budgets and locations.
Zambhala Inn
Zambhala Inn is a brand new hotel with 2010 being their first season. It’s owned and managed by a couple who oversee everything from letting out the rooms, to billing and ensuring that the tenants are comfortable.
The hotel is 2-storied, however rooms on the upper storey 
are yet to be built. Our double-room, which was on the ground floor, was huge with a super-comfortable bed and even better comforters and pillows. A large cabinet provided ample storage space while a LCD TV felt like sinful luxury after having spent the previous few weeks without any electricity at all. In fact, overall, the decor and furnishings in the room looked like they has been chosen with care without giving too much consideration to cost.
For a budget place, Zambhala Inn’s bathroom have been done up quite well with marble flooring, marble-tiled walls, separate shower area and great fixtures; we couldn’t have asked for more. Hot water is available every morning till about noon.
The best thing about the hotel, though, is its location. It is located in the heart of Changspa so all the stores and restaurants were just about a couple of minutes away on foot. However, since this was their first season, we did have some trouble too. On our 2nd night there, the bathroom developed some plumbing problems because of which we had to move to a different room in the middle of the night; teething problems, I guess.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Shelden Guesthouse
Situated just a few meters beyond Zambhala Inn on Changspa, Shelden Guesthouse is a family run place undergoing some renovation work. It was probably the family’s home before it was converted. It sits slightly above street level with a lovely, landscaped garden before it. An elderly couple and a younger lady manage the place.
It’s a 2-storey house with rooms on both floors with the 
family living downstairs. Our double-room was on the upper floor and came with an attached bathroom. For Rs.400 a night, it was quite cheap. The room was very comfortable with a decent bed and chairs to lounge in. The bathroom was old and rickety, though, and could do with some updating. We were told that hot water would be available in the mornings but because of the fluctuating electricity supply in the town, that wasn’t always the case. The other thing that bothered me was that there was no mirror anywhere in the room or bathroom.
Overall, it wasn’t the most luxurious place to stay in Leh but if I wanted a cheap place with an attached bathroom then I would definitely go back to Shelden.
Rating: 7 out of 10
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