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A 10-room alpine sanctuary perched at 8,200 feet near Manali—created by Good Earth founder Anita Lal with Two MICHELIN Keys, where hand-carved local timber and glass frame the Solang Valley.
Perched at an elevation of 8,200 feet in the quiet village of Palchan—just past Manali on the road leading toward the Rohtang Pass—Sitara Himalaya is a 10-room alpine retreat created by Anita Lal, founder of the design house Good Earth. Awarded Two MICHELIN Keys in 2024, the property was conceived not as a standard mountain resort, but as an intimate private chalet where refined design, mountain air, and quiet solitude exist in equal measure.
The retreat’s architecture pays homage to Himachal Pradesh’s indigenous Kath-Kuni style, utilizing interlocking cedar wood beams, slate roofing, and hand-cut local stone. The interiors showcase Good Earth’s signature aesthetic: bespoke silk textiles, hand-hammered Kansa brassware, custom wooden furniture, and rich floral motifs inspired by Himalayan flora. Expansive, double-glazed glass walls throughout the living spaces and guest suites flood the interiors with natural light while providing unblocked panoramas of the snow-capped Beas River valley.
Accommodation at Sitara Himalaya consists of just ten individually styled rooms and suites, ensuring complete privacy and low guest density. Each suite features underfloor heating, plush wool throw blankets, private balconies overlooking pine-clad slopes, and en-suite bathrooms fitted with deep soaking tubs and artisanal organic toiletries. There are no television screens in the rooms, shifting focus toward reading, listening to the river below, or gazing out at mountain weather shifts.
Dining is a central, communal experience centered around Zaika, the retreat’s intimate dining space. The culinary team serves daily menus that rotate with the mountain seasons, featuring elevated Himachali specialties (like local Thali and slow-cooked legumes), farm-fresh salads, and comforting international fare. Meals are prepared using ingredients grown in local orchards or sourced directly from small-scale growers in the Kullu Valley.
The daily experience at Sitara Himalaya is intentionally unhurried. Guests can spend their time soaking in the outdoor heated hydrotherapy tub, practicing yoga in the glass-domed studio, browsing the curated library by a crackling fireplace, or taking guided forest walks along nearby mountain streams. Its location in Palchan offers a peaceful refuge away from the commercial congestion of central Manali, while keeping guests within easy reach of the Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel.
Sitara Himalaya sets a brilliant new aesthetic benchmark for mountain retreats in India. We recommend it specifically to design-conscious travelers, couples, and readers seeking a quiet, highly refined alpine house with just ten rooms, exceptional food, and direct views of snow peaks.
Because Sitara Himalaya houses only 10 rooms and operates with high demand across both summer and winter snow seasons, every stay is coordinated personally. Connect with our team to discuss room categories, seasonal road conditions, and custom mountain itineraries.
Many of our guests combine multiple destinations into one seamless journey. Whether you’re planning a North circuit or travelling further across India, we’ll personally design an itinerary that brings together exceptional stays, private transfers and memorable experiences—tailored entirely around you.
