Nandini Cottage (Gadhwali)

Nandini is a premium boutique cottage perched at roughly 6,000 feet above sea level on the Ranikhet–Almora road (NH 109), in village Baburkhola, Uttarakhand , just 19 km from Ranikhet and 28 km from Almora. The property sits atop a small hillock with snow-capped Himalayan views from the front and a verdant pine forest at the back. Of its four named rooms, one , the ground-floor Khubani , is specifically set up for guests travelling with dogs or cats.

The Khubani Room , What It Actually Is

The Khubani room is Nandini's ground-floor bedroom, named after the apricot fruit native to this Himalayan belt. At 270 sq ft of interior space, it opens onto a private 90 sq ft patio through a side door , the same additional door that also provides a dedicated entry and exit point for pets, keeping them separate from the rest of the cottage. The tall french-style front glass window looks out over the valley and the Himalayan range; the side window frames the pine forest. It's a genuinely considered room, not a token pet-friendly designation. The patio is furnished with a double swing, making it a quietly practical spot for your morning coffee while your dog gets some air.

Room amenities include a 32-inch Samsung Smart LED TV with Tata Sky and internet TV, a study table with an ergonomic pushback chair, a mini refrigerator, tea kettle with complimentary tea and coffee sachets, steam iron and ironing board, a yoga mat, and super-fast fibre WiFi. In winter, a room heater is provided at no extra charge , electric blankets are also available on request, also at no charge. The room rate starts from ₹3,800 per night inclusive of breakfast for two adults and up to two children under 12.

Pet Policy , Read Before You Book

Nandini accepts dogs and cats only , up to 2 pets per stay. An additional charge of ₹500 per night applies for pets, covering up to 2 animals. Pets are allowed only in the Khubani room and on the private patio; they are not permitted to roam inside the rest of the cottage. You must carry your pet's own bedding and bowls , the property does not supply these. Pet food is also not stocked, so pack everything your animal needs for the full duration of your stay. Pets are not allowed on the guest's bed. The Khubani room has a dedicated door for pet entry and exit, which adds a layer of practical containment that travelling pet parents will appreciate.

Critically: the pet-friendly room is subject to availability, and it is the only one at the property. Mention at the time of booking that you are travelling with pets , do not book blind and assume the room will be available on arrival. If Khubani is already occupied, pets cannot be accommodated regardless of which room you take.

The Property and Its Setting

Beyond the room itself, Nandini offers a well-maintained lawn with a gazebo and swing , a practical outdoor space for letting your dog stretch after a long drive up from the plains. The lawn also serves as the morning yoga area and evening bonfire spot with a JBL sound system. There is a kids' play area on the grounds with a slide, swing, merry-go-round, and , amusingly , a Puppy Rider. The cottage is perched on a small hillock; private parking is available at ground level, with an outdoor elevator connecting the parking area to the cottage floors, which makes it easier to manage luggage (and animals) without navigating a steep staircase. Nandini is also EV-friendly with a 16-amp, 3.3 kW charging point at the parking area , useful for pet parents driving up in EVs from Delhi or other major cities.

The location puts you in genuine Kumaon hill country, with pine-forest walks accessible from the property and the wider Ranikhet area offering quiet roads well-suited to unhurried morning walks with a dog. The cottage is roughly a 6–7 hour drive from Delhi, making it a realistic long-weekend destination for pet parents driving up from the NCR or Dehradun.

What to Confirm Before You Visit

The property website does not specify whether the lawn and outdoor common areas are accessible to pets outside of the Khubani room's private patio. It's worth confirming this at the time of booking. Similarly, the nearest veterinary clinic has not been confirmed in available sources , if you're travelling with a dog or cat, identify the nearest vet in Ranikhet (19 km away) before you depart. Check-in is from 1:00 PM and check-out by 11:00 AM; plan your road journey accordingly, especially with pets in the car.