The Sarang (Bhimtal)

The Sarang sits in Janglia Gaon, a secluded pocket of Bhimtal reached by more than 20km of quiet, well-built hill road with almost no traffic, the kind of drive that already feels like a decompression before you arrive. If you are searching for a pet friendly homestay in Bhimtal or a dog friendly villa near Bhimtal Lake, this is worth knowing upfront: the property is two separate 1-bedroom cottages set across a gated, multi-level lawn, fully enclosed, so dogs can be off-leash the entire stay without a second thought.

Why The Sarang stands out among pet-friendly stays near Bhimtal

If you have searched for pet friendly hotels in Bhimtal or dog friendly cottages in Nainital before, you have probably noticed a pattern: most properties that call themselves pet-friendly still charge an extra per-night fee for bringing a dog, and quite a few only allow certain sizes. The Sarang takes neither approach. There is no additional charge for pets of any breed or size, and the property is gated well enough that leashing indoors or in the garden simply is not necessary. For pet parents comparing pet friendly stays in Uttarakhand, that combination, zero extra cost plus genuinely safe off-leash space, is harder to find than the phrase "pet friendly" on a listing might suggest.

The property and setting

The Sarang is built as two separate 1-bedroom cottages rather than one shared villa, which works well for two families or two dog-owning groups traveling together who each want their own space. Each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, so you are not dependent on a restaurant schedule, and inverter-based power backup means the hill area's occasional outages do not disrupt your stay. The lawn spans three levels around the cottages, generous enough for dogs to actually run rather than just stretch their legs, and the whole property is gated at the boundary. There is no swimming pool on-site and no in-house restaurant, deliberate trade-offs for a property built around quiet and space rather than resort-style amenities, though caretaker Suresh can help arrange meals if you would rather not cook.

What it's like traveling with dogs here

We stayed here with Apple, Captain, and Kimchi during monsoon season in July, and went back a second time later in the year, a full week each visit. What made it work so well for three dogs of different temperaments was simply the space: a gated lawn across three levels meant they could be off-leash from the moment we arrived to the moment we left, no negotiating with hotel staff about where pets are and are not allowed, no separate "pet zone" tucked away from the rest of the property. Owner Mukesh was easy to talk to and clearly comfortable having dogs around, and Suresh, who manages day-to-day operations, looked after both stays without a single moment of friction over the dogs being there.

Things to do nearby

The approach to Janglia Gaon itself is part of the appeal, over 20km of well-constructed hill road with essentially no vehicle traffic, good for long walks with dogs off-leash well before you even reach the property. Bhimtal Lake and the wider Bhimtal-Nainital belt are within driving distance for boating, the Folk Culture Museum, and the usual hill-station sightseeing. If you are searching for the distance from Bhimtal to Kainchi Dham, this is a genuinely convenient base, the Neem Karoli Baba ashram is roughly 50 minutes away by road, close enough for a day trip without needing to relocate.

How to reach The Sarang

Kathgodam is the nearest railway station, about 21km from Bhimtal, and the most common way travellers arrive from Delhi and other cities before continuing by road. Nainital itself is roughly 22km away, useful if you are combining the two hill stations in one trip. From Delhi, expect around a 6-hour drive covering roughly 300km, most visitors either self-drive or hire a car from Kathgodam. Once you turn off the main Bhimtal-Naukuchiatal road toward Janglia Gaon, the final stretch is quiet hill road with very little traffic, easy driving even with dogs restless in the back seat.

Best time to visit

Our own favourite visit was during the July monsoon, when the hills around Janglia Gaon turn a deep, saturated green and the mist rolling through makes the whole property feel even more secluded than usual. If you prefer drier weather, the Bhimtal-Nainital region more broadly tends to be mildest between March and June, and again from September through December, when cooler temperatures replace the monsoon humidity without the winter chill of peak Himalayan cold.

Frequently asked questions

Does The Sarang charge extra for bringing a pet?

No. There is no additional charge for pets of any breed or size, unlike many pet-friendly properties in the Bhimtal-Nainital area that charge a per-night pet fee.

Are there any breed or size restrictions?

No, all breeds and sizes are welcome.

Is the property fenced or gated for off-leash play?

Yes, the property is fully gated across its three-level lawn, dogs can be off-leash for the entire stay.

Is there a swimming pool?

No, there is no pool on-site.

Is there a restaurant on the property?

No, but each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, and caretaker Suresh can help arrange meals if you would rather not cook.

How far is Kainchi Dham (Neem Karoli Baba ashram) from The Sarang?

About 50 minutes by road, close enough for a day trip.

What's the nearest railway station, and how far is it?

Kathgodam, about 21km away, the most common arrival point before continuing by road.

How far is Bhimtal from Delhi?

Roughly 300km, about a 6-hour drive.

What's the room configuration?

Two separate 1-bedroom cottages, good for two families or groups traveling together who each want their own space, rather than one shared villa.

Is power backup available?

Yes, the property has inverter-based power backup.