Dandelion by the Hills (Dehradun)

Dandelion by the Hills sits in Lakhwar, a quiet village in the Garhwal hills of Uttarakhand, about an hour's drive from Dehradun. The resort is built across three blocks of luxury cottages and includes a restored colonial Dak Bungalow , now refurbished into heritage rooms , set against dramatic valley views and one of the clearest night skies in the region. Pets are genuinely welcome here, with no additional pet charges levied, making it one of the more straightforward dog-friendly stays in the Uttarakhand hills.

The Setting

Lakhwar is not a busy tourist town , it is a genuine hill village, and that is exactly what makes Dandelion by the Hills worth the drive. The resort campus occupies a hillside position with rooms strategically oriented to catch the sunrise and valley view , the property notes that guests simply need to slide open their drapes to see it. The campus also witnesses what the resort describes as soul-calming sunrises, and stargazing from the property is genuinely good: clear sky, minimal light pollution, and the kind of quiet that makes hill nights feel long in the best possible way.

The property is spread across multiple blocks, which means there is room to walk around the campus with your dog. The colonial Dak Bungalow of Lakhwar , a heritage structure , has been preserved and converted into tastefully done heritage rooms with modern amenities. This confluence of old architecture and new construction gives the resort a character that most hill properties in Uttarakhand lack. For pet parents, the open campus setting means your dog will have room to stretch, sniff, and decompress after the drive up.

Bringing Your Dog , What the Policy Actually Means

The pet policy here is specific and honest, which we appreciate. no separate charges for pets is a genuine plus , most hill resorts either charge a flat fee or sneak in a cleaning surcharge. Here, pets stay free. Dogs (and cats) are allowed in the guest rooms, but the property has a clear house rule: pets must not step on or sleep on the beds or furniture. This is a reasonable ask , bring a travel rug or foldable dog mat to set up your dog's own spot on the floor.

Pets are not allowed inside The Mountain Bowl, the in-house restaurant. This is standard practice at most hill resorts and should not come as a surprise, but it does mean you cannot eat together as a full family if your dog cannot be left alone in the room. The practical workaround: order food from the restaurant and eat on your room's balcony or terrace with your pet. Notably, the property is happy to prepare pet food from the kitchen , eggs and chicken can be ordered specifically for your dog. This is a thoughtful touch that most properties do not offer.

Bring your own food bowls, water bowl, and any bedding you want your dog to sleep on. The property does not supply pet-specific amenities, so come prepared. If your dog is used to sleeping on the bed at home, they will need to adjust here , or you will need to be strict about the house rule for the duration of your stay.

Activities and Extras at the Resort

Dandelion by the Hills has a fuller amenity list than most properties in this price tier and location. The in-house restaurant, The Mountain Bowl, focuses on multi-cuisine dining with a specific nod to local Kumaon and Garhwal food , worth trying if you have not had pahadi cuisine before. There is also a gym, a game room with indoor and outdoor games, and yoga sessions that take advantage of the sunrise views. A café and library are listed as upcoming additions. The farm-to-table experience , where guests can visit the resort's small organic farm and pick ingredients for a fresh salad , is a genuinely rare find at a hill resort and one that is worth doing with older, calm dogs in tow, if the farm access is dog-friendly on that day (confirm with the property at check-in).

The surrounding Garhwal landscape offers natural walking routes and valley terrain that is suitable for dogs who are comfortable on hilly paths. The area around Lakhwar is not a high-traffic tourist corridor, so walks outside the campus are likely to be quieter than popular hill stations like Mussoorie or Lansdowne. The Yamuna river flows through this region, though whether direct water access is possible from the resort campus is not confirmed.

What We Haven't Confirmed Yet

A few specifics are worth verifying directly with the property before your visit: whether any room types are preferred or designated for guests with pets; whether large-breed dogs are subject to any additional conditions; the exact walking terrain immediately outside the resort; and whether the organic farm visit is accessible with dogs. Call them on 073007 03488 or check the website at dandelionbythehills.com before booking to clarify any of these points.

Getting There: Dandelion by the Hills is located at Paramjitnagpath Rd, Lakhwar, Uttarakhand 248158. The nearest major city is Dehradun, approximately 50–60 km away. Road access through the Garhwal hills is the primary route , confirm exact driving time and road conditions with the property, especially during and immediately after monsoon season.