Curious Cat Cottage is a small guesthouse in Naggar, Himachal Pradesh, run by its two cofounders, Paakhi A. Tyrewala and Kanishk Godha. It opened in January 2026 with five private rooms plus dorm beds, a specialty coffee cafe, a library and a bonfire that gets lit most cold nights.
How it started
Paakhi and Kanishk spent months driving around Himachal Pradesh looking for a place that did not exist yet. They looked in Sissu, Bir, Jibhi and other valleys; each had something right and something that did not fit — a view without a road, a road without quiet.
Then the road bent into a village called Naggar, and they stopped the car. Curious Cat Cottage stands on the spot where they got out. The village had a quiet that did not apologise for itself, history at every turn, and enough good cafes that they could picture living there. We tell the longer version in our press kit.
Who runs it
Cofounder of Curious Cat Cottage. A filmmaker: she directed Pahuna: The Little Visitors (produced by Purple Pebble Pictures) and the short film Kajal.
Cofounder of Curious Cat Cottage. A former software engineer who loves hosting people and feeding them.
How the place was made
The building was fitted out slowly and almost entirely by hand. The furniture is custom built; the curtains, lights, door knobs and even the wall colours were made or mixed to order rather than bought off a shelf wherever they could manage it, and much of it was built by the two of them.
What a stay is like
Curious Cat Cottage is in Naggar village, about a 20-minute walk from the market. It is a guesthouse rather than a hotel: five private rooms (two Luxury, one Writer's, two Cosy) plus dorm beds. Each room has its own page, and the dorm beds are for solo travellers and small groups. The basics:
- Check-in and check-out. Check-in 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Check-out by 12:00 noon.
- Breakfast. Included with every private room. Dorm guests can add breakfast for ₹250.
- Parking. Open street parking directly outside the property, safe for 2–3 vehicles.
- Pickup. On request, paid: ₹400 from Patlikuhal, ₹200 from Naggar Chowk, ₹150 from Naggar Castle. Message us on WhatsApp ahead of arrival.
- WiFi and power. A 100 Mbps connection with WiFi throughout. Power backup on site.
- Pets. Pets are welcome, and the Writer's Room is the room we prefer for guests travelling with pets. There is a charge of ₹1,500 per pet. Please tell us before you book.
- Access. The village and the property are on a slope with steps, and there is no lift (as in most of the mountains).
If you are planning your journey, see getting to Naggar; for the cancellation terms, see the cancellation policy.
What guests say
Kanish was an absolutely wonderful host, always on top of everything and full of some of the best local recommendations. More than being a great host, he is just a genuinely warm and friendly person. We ended up spending hours talking to him about travel, life and everything in between, and those conversations became one of the highlights of our stay.
The property itself is in a beautiful setting, surrounded by lush greenery and the hilly landscape that makes Naggar so special. It feels peaceful, quiet and wonderfully removed from the usual rush of tourist places. And then there are the three adorable dogs at the property, who pretty much completed the experience for us. Green hills, mountain air, great conversations, lovely hospitality and three furry companions wandering around. It was our little version of heaven.
Would happily come back, not just for the place, but for the people and the feeling of being there.
Had such a lovely stay at Curious Cat Cottage! The property is beautiful, peaceful, and surrounded by stunning mountain views. The hospitality was warm and personal, the food was amazing, and the cats and dogs made the experience even more special. Would definitely love to come back!
The apartment is located in a beautiful mountain area. The room has everything you need for a comfortable stay and is very clean. The owner was very friendly and helpful with everything. We highly recommend this apartment.
Staying here felt less like a typical rental and more like joining a welcoming community. The experience was truly luxurious, highlighted by stunning, snow-capped mountain views right outside our window. The rooms were beautifully appointed with incredibly comfortable furniture, and the bathroom was spotless.
A major highlight was having Kanishk’s mom prepare our meals; the food was delicious and tasted just like a home-cooked feast. Kanishk himself was a fantastic host, always friendly and happy to chat. The common room was a great touch, packed with games that made our downtime really enjoyable. The town is charming and walkable, provided you have an adventurous spirit.
A few things to note: Pricing: Most services incur extra charges. Noise: If you stay on the top floor, the attic above can be noisy when in use. Value: While the food is tasty, it is a little overpriced.
Despite these, it was a memorable stay and we highly recommend it!
Beautiful location with serene views, if you are looking for a home away from home this place is perfect. Kanishk was very helpful during our stay, rooms were clean and spacious. Food was delicious. You will really enjoy this place, highly recommended.
A peaceful stay in the lap of nature, surrounded by beautiful mountains and fresh air. The place was calm, relaxing, and perfect for a quiet getaway. The owner was very kind, helpful, and cooperative throughout our stay, making us feel comfortable and welcomed.
Reviews are copied word for word from the public Writer's Room listing on Airbnb (4.91 out of 5 from 11 reviews).
Find us
Village Naggar, Tehsil Manali, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh 175130, India. Phone and WhatsApp: +91 99823 68018. Open the location in Google Maps, or follow @curiouscat.cottage on Instagram.
Journalists and travel writers can find photographs and background in the press kit.