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It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the range of beautiful accommodation in Srinagar. Fret not, we’ve identified a few gems within this gem of a city
For the quintessential Kashmir experience, you must spend at least one night on a houseboat. You will wake up to flower-strewn waters, not unlike a Bollywood film from the ’60s. Dal Lake has houseboats for every budget and lifestyle. You will be bobbing on the water in an elegant, walnut-panelled bedroom, with all the comforts at your service. Some of the more luxurious houseboats have balconies, lounges, dining rooms, and multiple en suite bedrooms.
The Broadway boasts of a range of well-appointed rooms and suites and is the perfect setting to team business and leisure. Besides multiple restaurants and bars, you can spend time at the mini theatre, billiards room or the golf course next door. Or, you can treat yourself to hydro-therapy at the spa. Sample exotic teas in the Tea Room, before heading to Taffree, the restaurant, to try some Kashmiri cuisine.
This used to be a stately home, and now it has the distinction of being the only hotel on Nagin Lake, with the city just seven kilometres away. It is set amidst a beautiful landscaped garden right on the banks of lake, and the architecture is a blend of the old-style and the contemporary. Adventure-seekers can water-ski or swim; the more leisurely-inclined can tour the lake by shikara. The dining room, Khasa, serves up the delicious cuisines of Kashmir.
Built at the turn of the 20th century at the foothills of the Zabarvan Hills, the Lalit Grand Palace Hotel is a twin-storey heritage property overlooking the gorgeous Dal Lake. Choose from Palace Deluxe rooms, Palace Suites, and the Maharani and Maharajah Suites, where Lord and Lady Mountbatten often stayed during their years in India. Whether you unwind at Rejuve, the spa, or spend your time playing tennis or golf, your stay is sure to be unforgettable.
Perched atop the Kralsangri Hill that offers a fine panoramic view of the Dal Lake, this hotel has wide open spaces, for you to breathe in Srinagar’s crisp air. As with any Vivanta property, this one too combines luxury with local flavour. In winter, you can gape endlessly at the snow-capped peaks of the Zabarwan Hills. The Gulmarg Range is a burst of colour in spring, and the ubiquitous chinar trees glow a magical golden-red in autumn.
