The greatest strength of Himachal Pradesh Tourism hotels has always been their locations. Over the decades, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) built properties in some of the most scenic and strategically placed destinations across the state — locations that private players today would find almost impossible to acquire.
One such property that continues to hold a special place for many regular visitors is Ros Common in Kasauli. Located inside the peaceful Cantonment area, surrounded by pine trees and overlooking beautiful valleys, the property captures the old-world charm that once defined hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. Unlike overcrowded tourist destinations struggling with traffic, commercialization, and unchecked construction, Kasauli still retains a calmer and more disciplined atmosphere.
Ros Common itself carries heritage value. Originally built as a British-era bungalow by an Irish gentleman, the property later came under HPTDC after Independence. For years, it remained one of the most charming government-run stays in Himachal Pradesh.
In 2021, HPTDC opened the new Ros Common property, and many visitors who stayed there after the pandemic were pleasantly surprised. The new structure was tastefully designed with high-quality materials, modern comforts, and architecture that blended well with the surrounding natural environment. At the time, it genuinely gave the impression of a professionally managed heritage luxury property and showcased what HPTDC could achieve when projects are executed with vision and care.
However, recent visitors have also started noticing a gradual decline in maintenance standards. While the property still has tremendous potential, the upkeep no longer reflects the quality with which it was originally developed. This unfortunately highlights one of the long-standing problems associated with many government-run tourism properties across India — infrastructure gets created, but sustained maintenance, hospitality standards, and professional management often weaken over time.
Tourism experts frequently point out that government hospitality projects suffer whenever administrative priorities change. Quite often, projects associated with one administration lose momentum after political or bureaucratic transitions. According to people familiar with the development of the new Ros Common, the project had received strong backing from an IAS officer who played an important role in upgrading the property.
There are also discussions that the older Ros Common property may eventually be leased out to private operators. In many ways, this could be a practical decision, considering the old structure now requires extensive restoration and professional upkeep. However, hospitality experts and regular visitors alike believe that any future Public-Private Partnership model must ensure that the heritage character, colonial architecture, and peaceful identity of the property are preserved.
Himachal Pradesh possesses enormous potential in heritage and eco-tourism, and HPTDC still holds some of the finest tourism assets in the state. But the future success of these properties will depend not only on creating infrastructure, but also on consistent maintenance, professional hospitality management, and protecting the unique character that originally made places like Ros Common so special.
