Lease ends today, Himachal set to acquire Hotel Wildflower Hall

Vivek Bhatia, director of Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, has issued an order, directing officials — managing director of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), the District Tourism Development Officer (DTDO) — to be present at the hotel to facilitate the handover process from EIH Ltd, the flagship company of luxury hotel chain of the Oberoi Group.

Sources said he has also attached instructions from Principal Secretary (Tourism) and Finance Secretary Davesh Kumar, which were forwarded to officers concerned.

The order states: “In reference to the arbitral award dated July 23, 2005, and the Supreme Court’s order dated February 20, 2024, the state government has been declared the sole owner of Mashobra Resorts Limited (MRL), along with all its assets and revenues. The Supreme Court has further directed MRL and EIH Ltd to vacate the property and hand over to the state government by March 31, 2025.”

The Supreme Court order had paved the way for the state government to reclaim control of the iconic property.

Boasting of a rich colonial legacy, Hotel Wildflower Hall, which spans 100 acres in the midst of a dense deodar forest at an altitude of 8,250 feet, is known for its breathtaking view of the Himalayas.

It served as a summer retreat for British officers during the colonial era. It was later purchased by Lord Kitchener, the then commander-in-chief of the British Army in India, who made it his residence in 1902. The grand estate has became a centre of power, especially for hosting military and political meetings.

The property came under the jurisdiction of the Himachal Pradesh government following the Independence in 1947, and functioned as a state-owned heritage estate for many years, before being leased to EIH Ltd.

Following a massive fire that destroyed the structure in 1993, The Oberoi Group undertook the reconstruction work — designing the new hotel to reflect the charm of the British colonial era, with grand wooden interiors and vintage-style architecture; it was reopened in 2001 as a luxury retreat under the Oberoi Hotels and Resorts.

The long-running legal battle between the Himachal Pradesh government and The Oberoi Group over the hotel’s ownership resulted in a Supreme Court verdict last year, which ruled in favour of the state government.

The court declared the government as the sole owner of MRL, which controlled the hotel, and directed EIH Ltd to vacate the property by March 31 this year.