Murree lies in the foothills of the Himalayas at 60 km (40 miles) northeast of Islamabad at an altitude of 2300 meters (7500 ft.) above sea level. It is one of many verdant hill stations developed by the British. Just as the Victorians used it as an escape from the heat of the plains, so too is it popular today with Pakistanis. Murree was the summer headquarters from 1850 to 1876, when the summer capital was transferred to Simla. There is a good road up into the hills and it takes about 45 minutes to drive up from Islamabad.
HISTORY OF CECIL HOTEL
Cecil is not just a hotel. It has a very rich history, almost as old as the discovery of the region itself, by the Raj. Founded as a hill station by the British in 1851, Murree was the summer headquarters of the Government of Punjab, until 1876, when the honor was transferred to Simla. The building was the official house of Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India. Murree was made a vacation spot by the British Raj, as a place to escape the heat of the plain. For this purpose churches, hospitals and other facilities were built in the area. Imperial Builders Pakistan's Premier House Builder Imperial Builders is not a new name in the construction industry. It has a success story attached to its magnificent structures standing all around Pakistan. Imperial Builders have received wide acclaim for their business integrity, construction quality and adherence to time schedules. They have successfully accomplished scores of residential and commercial projects in addition to a number of housing schemes. Imperial Builders are backed by a team of highly professional and experienced architects, planners, engineers and contractors having impressive track record in the field of construction. The building was later handed over to the Oberoi family who transformed it into a hotel. After partition, it came into the possession of the Government of Pakistan. In 1998, Cecil Hotel was auctioned by the Privatisation Commission and became the property of Imperial Builders. Spread over 104 canals of prime land in the heart of Murree Hills and rising up to 365 feet from the approach road, Cecil Hotel is truly a place of history, adventure and romance. Designed meticulously for your supreme residential comfort, CECIL SILVER APARTMENTS with their picturesque location, fascinating environment and rare amenities, are nothing short of a living fantasy. Offered in 1,2,3 and 4-room options of apartments to choose from, and also the exquisite penthouses, CECIL SILVER APARTMENTS command a spectacular view of Murree Hills from their wide-open balconies and terraces. CECIL SILVER APARTMENTS are superb in every respect. Situated at the breathtaking height of 7,500 feet above the sea level, which is 3,000 feet higher than Bhurban, the super luxury apartments command a scenic view of Pindi Point and Kashmir Point, one of the foremost vistas in the entire Murree Hills.
FACILITIES
Cecil Resorts is an ideal abode for tourists, visitors, trekkers and those who love to enjoy maiden nature in its absolute purity and colours. Situated conspicuously on a hilltop, it offers an unobstructed view of the downtown and far-flung habitations. What is more, if one happens to be at Cecil Resorts, he might occasionally be witnessing clouds so close to him that he can literally feel them with his hands. During snowfalls from mid January to mid February, Murree clad in silver-white sheets of snow gives you a fascinating look — something really out of this world. Murree is quite a busy place for almost 12 months of the year. But it becomes a venue of humming business activity during May to August. Further more, the famous Mall Road of Murree is located just about 2 to 3 minutes walk from the Cecil Resorts, which is also a place to enjoy with its traditional ambience. Mall Road has almost every kind of facility you can think of in Murree. Because of its infinite variety of foods and commodities, it has an irresistible pull for tourists and visitors who come to enjoy the pristine beauty of this famous hill-resort round-the-year. In fact, Mall Road for its peculiar glamour, is the centre of attraction for men, women and children of all ages. It has a wide array of shops and eating outlets to meet the requirements of both shoppers and gourmets.
LOCATIONS
Murree spreads along the top of a ridge for about five kilometers (three miles). At the northeast end is Kashmir Point, with views across the valley of Jhelum River into Azad Kashmir. At the southwest end is Pindi Point, looking back towards Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Between the two runs the Mall, at the centre of which is the main shopping area. This is the place where most people congregate. Promenading and shopping are Murree's main amusements along with riding in chair-lifts, one starting from Bansara Gali (below Murree) to Pindi Point, the other to the top of Patriata Hill (on the road to Karor). Murree, at 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) is only 45 minutes drive northeast of Islamabad. This beautiful part of Pakistan is also called Malika-e-Kohsar (Queen of Mountains). Its cold, pine forests, amidst magnificent mountain scenery, make it the first choice for a day's outing from the capital. The city of Murree is a complete tourist attraction with the Mall for promenading, parks, churches, schools, clubs and cafes. Since independence, Murree has been the number one tourist resort for the people of Pakistan. Beyond Murree, the hill resorts at Ayubia, Ghora Gali, Bhurban, Patriata, Donga Gali and Nathia Gali also offer cool respite from the torrid heat of plains. They add beauty to Murree's scenic view. Perhaps, the most sought out is the beautiful Nathia Gali, 32Km from Murree and perched 2,501 meters high. Ayubia, 29Km from Murree, is famous for its chair-lifts. Bhurban, which is 8Km from Murree, is known for its nine-hole golf course and panoramic view of the forested hills.