Truly said as paradise on earth, Kashmir, is a soul-soothing experience for visitors. It is one of the most beautiful places that I have visited in India to date and perhaps the most under-rated for its beauty, culture and crafts.

Even though the area has conflict, when I visited, I felt extremely safe and welcome. If you’re looking for places to stay in Kashmir, then I cannot recommend these two hotels more:

The Khyber Resort & Spa, Gulmarg

The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa is the first luxury resort in Gulmarg, known for its excellent location and warm hospitality.

In my opinion, the best thing about the Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, is the awe-inspiring view. Encircled by the Pir Panjal Range of the majestic Himalayas, at an elevation of 8,825 ft, the resort has the most stunning views of the snow-clad mountains and thick pine forest. The uninterrupted views of jaw-dropping mountains make all the difference. Imagine waking up, drinking a nice warm chai on your balcony overlooking pristine snow in India - I had to pinch myself to remind myself that I wasn’t in the alps!

After an eventful day of skiing/snowboarding in the valley, you surely deserve some R&R. The resort has a beautiful indoor l’occitane spa, perfect for a relaxing massage, as well as a wellness area, surrounded by glass panelling, so you can admire the crisp snow covered trees surrounding you while soaking your tired muscles in the luxuriously warm indoor pool.

Aside from the main restaurant, the resort also hosts the Chaikash Tea Lounge, named after the Kashmiri word for ‘soaked tea leaves’, in a fire-lit corner of the huge lobby. It offers tea, coffee, pastries, cakes, etc. along with the irresistible views of the pine forest and the mountains. I enjoyed numerous cups of Kahwah (Kashmiri tea) here in the evenings while listening to the live band playing authentic Kashmiri music and absorbing the scenery from the resort’s warmest corner.

Vivanta Dal View by Taj, Srinagar

Perched on a hill overlooking the serene dal lake, is where you can find the Vivanta Dal View Hotel by Taj.

I arrived at sunset and it was magical because on one side of the hill was the picturesque view of the sun setting over dal lake and on the other side was the moon rising over the mountains. It was a truly special moment for me that I will cherish forever, as I have never seen both the sun and moon at the same time.

My room was not in the main building, it was located just before. The room was at garden level, overlooking the lake and main city, which dazzled at night. The garden was huge and connected to all the outdoor rooms, so when I wanted to visit my friends, I took a lovely outdoor stroll through the luscious greenery. If you decide to stay at this hotel - I definitely recommend these spacious outdoor rooms for a spectacular view.

If you would like more information on where to stay/things to do in Kashmir, then please drop a comment below.

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