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a place for the in-between
The house has stood since 1972, in a neighbourhood that goes back to 1875.
The first floor has been part of daily life in Shillong for decades.
It has held family meals, drawing boards, meetings, tenants, repairs, and the kind of gradual changes that no renovation could ever authentically recreate.
Selah grew from what was already here.
All of the original tin roof, rafters, wood floors, fireplace, windows, and view into the surrounding trees remain.
Five bedrooms have been made within that history, with considered comforts and enough room for the house to still feel like itself.
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The rooms were designed with intention and have been shaped by story. Each takes its name from familiar sights seen in Meghalaya.
01 / 05Queen ensuite
settle on the rise
Winters in Meghalaya expose knolls made of bare stone, and grass gone the colour of dry straw under a low sun. Perfect winter colours that help you settle in and cozy up between the sheets.
02 / 05Queen ensuite
wake to birdsong
Blossoms and birds nested amidst a teak grid only to reflect the morning avian activity in the leafy canopy outside. A gentle reminder that you will be greeted by birdsong in the mornings by our feathery friends.
03 / 05Queen ensuite
watch the mist lift
Ivory and beige where the mist would sit and no reason to rush the morning along. It feels like being wrapped in a small cloud.
04 / 05Queen ensuite
read past dusk
Thistle takes its name from a plant nobody plants on purpose, it thrives without asking for much. This room has withstood many a renovation, but the original wood floors and ikra walls are still perfect for slow evenings and lazy mornings.
05 / 05King suite
linger over breakfast
An ink-grey mural of farmstead country above black panelling, with one brass fixture. Selah's largest room has a king bed, a dressing room, the biggest bathroom in the house, and some extras.
settle in, to birdsong, and soft mist, a quiet corner, before breakfast.
stay at selah
Stay slowly
Ask us about a workation stay: seven nights or longer, breakfast every morning, and housekeeping that works around your calls. Message us and we'll put it together.
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Selah is a five-room boutique homestay on the first floor of a bungalow in Lower Lachaumiere, one of Shillong’s older residential neighbourhoods. The first floor has been renovated, and the ground floor and part of the compound are occupied by a working architectural and structural design firm.
At its heart, Selah functions as a house for sojourners. The hall and shared spaces have been designed so that each guest naturally crosses paths with others. Games, books from the library, and the artwork on the walls are meant to be enjoyed by all paying guests. The kitchen works the same way. Enjoy quiet sunsets and sunrises in the small south-facing balcony.
Selah has five individually named rooms, each with its own character. Each room comes with a queen or king bed, a room heater, study desk and chair, wardrobe or drawers, luggage rack, personal safe, small television, Wi‑Fi, and a hot beverage station. The attached bathroom has a glass-enclosed shower with geyser-heated hot water, and is stocked with bath and hand towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, and hand wash, along with a dental kit, shaving kit, comb, and hairdryer.
Cancelling
Changing your dates
Check-in is from 2 PM and check-out is by 11 AM. If you expect to arrive earlier, message ahead and the house will do what it can. A later check-out may be possible on request, but additional fees will apply.
The guest rooms are reached by an external metal staircase at the side of the bungalow; there is no lift. If stairs or heavy luggage may be difficult, please keep this in mind. Our House Manager will meet you at the bottom of the staircase and help with your suitcase.
Every guest must present a valid photo ID at check-in. Meghalaya requires all homestay guests to be registered, so this is a government requirement rather than a house preference.
Breakfast at Selah features a rotating mix of Indian and local Khasi dishes. The Khasi options are an important part of the experience and are worth trying while you are in Meghalaya. We make sure to include vegetarian dishes in our Khasi selections.
If you find that you truly do not enjoy a particular Khasi dish, you may request an alternative. The house will do its best to accommodate your preference within what is being served that day.
The shared hall holds the lounge and dining area, the library, and the original stone fireplace. On cold winter evenings, the fireplace can be lit on request during the winter season in the months of November through February There is no extra charge, but it cannot be guaranteed, so it is best treated as a seasonal pleasure rather than a standard service.
The guest kitchen is available throughout your stay. It has a gas stove, microwave, refrigerator, sink, and filtered water. You are welcome to make tea, reheat food, or keep a few provisions chilled. Please wash and dry what you use, return everything to its place, and leave the kitchen ready for the next guest. If something runs out or breaks, let the house know instead of trying to fix or replace it yourself.
An iron and ironing board, as well as a baby chair, are available to borrow. Fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are placed around the house. CCTV covers the shared living and outdoor areas for safety; there are no cameras inside the guest rooms.
Selah is in a quiet residential neighbourhood and is part of that larger community. Smoking is allowed on the balcony or outdoors only; indoor smoking is not permitted. Pets are not allowed.
The house does not host parties, reunions, events, or large gatherings. Your visitors are welcome to enjoy the premises, both indoors and outdoors, during your stay. If they wish to stay longer or sleep over, they will need to be added to the booking as an extra adult (subject to the applicable fee) or take a separate room at the nightly rate, depending on availability.
Quiet hours begin at 10 PM. Loud conversations, music, or gatherings after that time are not appropriate and may result in penalty charges.
Selah is located in Lower Lachaumiere, Shillong 793001, at about 5,000 feet elevation in a quiet, walkable street a short drive from Police Bazaar, Laitumkhrah, and Shillong’s main viewpoints.
Most guests fly into Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, approximately two and a half hours away by road. Shillong’s Umroi Airport is around 50 minutes away when suitable flights are available. Taxis serve both routes. If you are driving, on-site parking is limited to three cars, so please mention your vehicle when booking.
October to February is the busiest season. The weather is generally cool and drier, with events such as the Cherry Blossom Festival in November and Winter Tales in December. March to May is milder and usually quieter. June to September is the monsoon, when Meghalaya receives some of the heaviest rainfall in the country.
If you visit during the monsoon, bring waterproof footwear, a rain jacket, and clothes that dry reasonably quickly.
