Eden Cafe & Stay, Jibhi – Boutique Family-Run Homestay in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal is where my heart lies ; and whenever I get a chance to explore it’s surreal beauty I travel to this magical place. Recently I explored a new place called Jibhi and my decision to visit it was the best decision. I hadn’t explored this part; so without hesitation, I booked my stay a boutique property called Eden Cafe & Stay.

I flew to Bhuntar via Alliance Air. I prefer flying to such places, so I can take in the most, while staying there. The snowcapped mountains with sun rays falling on the peaks are some of the perks of taking an early morning flight. I was already in love with Jibhi.

After a comfortable flight I land in Bhuntar – a small airport with breathtaking views. I board the cab and move towards my destination. The two-hour journey was a mixture of anticipation & excitement.


Since I was visiting Jibhi for the first time, I was looking forward to my experience. it has snowed in Jibhi and everything looked beautiful. The swaying trees with snowcapped peaks welcomed me with open arms.

A brief Introduction-Eden Cafe and stay

I reached Eden and was floored by the intricate beauty. Simple, warm and hospitable vibes embraced me, and I instantly fell in love with the place. There was a magical aura in Eden. The staff, all women welcomed me as I was always a part of the family.

The host Sachin and his mother who run the place are people who became my family. Sachin’s mother who is in her eightees refuses to be called old. Her zeal for life and enthusiasm was highly contagious. She hugged me as her own child. This was my fist impression of The Eden family – loving and hospitable.
I enjoyed a vegetable grilled sandwich with their in-house herbal drink made with cayenne pepper, ginger, black pepper and honey – absolutely delicious.

Accommodation

After a heart talk, I retire to my room for some rest. The room opens up to breathtaking vistas of the mountains, a running stream, clouds playing hide n seek. A sight that still lingers in my heart.

I was surprisingly fresh, in spite of the long journey. I suggested Sachin we go for a drive and explore Jibhi. The snow made the drive tough, but it was still a fantastic off roading experience. We drove for a couple of minutes and enjoyed the snow laden trees.

The experience was beautiful; but I felt ecstatic to enjoy a Thai green curry made by the lovely ladies at Eden. This was the best Thai curry I have ever had. Thick creamy, bursting with flavors, aromatic – perfect for dinner. The day ended with a comfortable snooze in my warm temperature-controlledbed. I slept like a baby.

The next day, the bright sun seared through my window, illuminating everything. I looked forward to a day with adventure. We enjoyed hot paranthas with masala tea on the terrace, while enjoying the view of floating clouds, in the company of aunty ji.

We left for Bahu – a small village in Jibhi. This place is known for its thick jungles, famous temples and shacks serving tea with maggie and siddu – a famous Himachali dish. It was a tough drive towards Bahu with snow all around. But at the same drive, it was also adventurous.

Bahu, only a few kilometres away from Eden is a must visit. The place is so peaceful; you can sit for hours in silence. We visited the famous Shivji temple and had tea with Siddu at a local tea seller. The walk in the jungle later was therapeutic. If you love nature, I suggest you try this.

Back at Eden, we relished a delicious vegetarian pizza at night. Trust me it was so good, I did’nt feel guilty of having a half pizza all by myself. Eden has its own in-house bakery ; they make their own breads, croissants, cakes etc.

The day comes to an end and so does my stay. My stay at Eden was a brief one, but I collected bundles of memories tucked in my heart. Here you would not feel a guest, but a family member; and would return back again for more love and experiences.

If you are heading to Manali, try visiting Jibhi instead and stay at Eden. This isnt a hotel or resort; but a boutique homestay where love rules the space and you feel like family.

Quick facts about Eden

Distance from Bhuntar sirport – 2 hours
Overnight buds from Delhi
Best season – October to March
Comfortable accommodation with sit-out spaces
Cozy cafe with fresh food served daily. Cuisine – Indian, Italian, Himachali
Run by a family