We planned to stay here 3 nights in early April 2007 but left after the first night because it was so incredibly noisy at this end of Nainital (the Mallital end). Hundreds of dogs barked all night, and some crazed sounding man ranted over a loudspeaker for hours and hours—hateful shouting. We never did find out where it was coming from—everyone we asked the next day had no idea what we were talking about. How they could sleep through it beats me. So despite the fact that Palace Belvedere itself was nice—a restored raja’s palace with lovely common areas and rather ragged animal skins hanging here and there—we discovered that Nainital was just way too noisy for us to spend any more time in (we’d already spent two nights elsewhere there). Our room at the Belvedere itself was spacious, with a clean bathroom and good shower, nice view of the lake, and sitting area. Food in the restaurant was good, though we were the only ones eating there. In fact, two snarling mounted leopard heads watched us as we ate breakfast shortly after checking in. Daytime was also noisy here, with horns honking, dogs barking, and pigeons scrabbling all over the metal roof. The hotel’s entrance is gated and manned with guards wearing uniforms and red berets. A very narrow, steep, winding “road” leads up to the hotel—make sure your taxi has good breaks. I’d recommend this hotel only if you are a good sleeper and don’t mind 24-hour noise.