Houseboats – What's Next?

By Aatreya Bhat

A highly under-rated destination, Srinagar is paradise on Earth. Changing hues during different seasons, there is a lot to see here.It is flanked by the Himalayas to the north and the Pir Panjal to the south, which are the source of many rivers that flow downhill and are adorned by forests and orchards throughout their course. Situated on both the sides of the Jhelum river, the 9 old bridges that connect the two banks are very famous. If you’re a foodie, then you definitely should not miss the “Wazwaan”, or the 36-course meal followed by local “kahwa” or green tea. The ‘Nishat Baag’ is a favourite among tourists- it consists of 12 terraces and an innumerable number of flower species. The Dal Lake is without doubt the strongest tourist magnet, and if you’re lucky, in the winter you can also witness the lake freezing up.

At SaffronStays, we bring to you a host of homestays in Srinagar where you can set base at and enjoy a memorable vacation!

#1. Villa in the heart of Srinagar.

Located in the heart of Srinagar, this colourful villa fits all the criteria that you may want in a home. It is an ancestral property and the history of the place is depicted through the myriad pictures and paintings that adorn the walls of the house. The rooms are comfortable and have a private seating outside. It is close to the market and about 4 kms away from the Dal Lake. In the evenings, you can enjoy a tasty dinner in the garden.

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#2. Royal villa overlooking Dal Lake.

Experience the imperial life by choosing this homestay whose owners are the descendants of the last ruling Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh. Set against the jaw-dropping backdrop of Zabarwan range and overlooking the Dal Lake, this homestay is the epitome of beauty. The estate is dotted with plum, apple and cherry orchards and the home-made jam, which is also for sale, is a favourite among guests.

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#3. Heritage houseboat stay

Considered to be one of the only two heritage houseboats in India, your stay here is replete with luxuries. Artistically decorated with heritage paintings and cedar wood furniture, walk back the history lane looking at the pre-independence letters and paintings. The deck on top overlooks the Dal Lake and the Himalayas: a sight you don’t want to miss!

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#4. Homestay on a hill

This homestay overlooks the Nishat Baag, thus a superb view is promised. A cosy, comfortable bungalow in the prime locality of Srinagar, it is close to all popular tourist spots. You can relax in the garden and enjoy a peaceful evening with your family, munching on some delicious home-cooked Kashmiri food.

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#5. Villa overlooking Nageen lake

Designed in the traditional Royal Kashmiri way, you can feel the regality in this homestay. Beautiful paintings adorn every wall of the house. It is nestled between cherry, plum, pear and apple trees and the major tourist attractions like Dal Lake, Hazratbal shrine and Mughal Gardens are easily accessible. The Nageen area is perfect for scenic walks, after which you can retire for the day with a cup of steaming coffee by the hearth and forge fond, unforgettable memories.

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#6. Quaint cottage in Srinagar

Set in the seclusion of a private estate, this cottage is a nature-lover’s delight. Dotted with cherry, plum and apple orchards and set against the Zabarwan range, a lot of trekking awaits you! Oh, and there’s also a pond nearby, which is home to a number of migratory birds. Photographers, this is just the place for you!

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#7. Luxury guesthouse in Srinagar

Situated in the posh neighbourhood of Rajbagh, this house is nothing short of a dream house. The French windows that open into the lush garden, decorated with flowers are a highlight. Book lovers can sit down and get drowned in the collection of books here. Pets are welcome too and there is also a special kennel for dogs. There is a restaurant in the garden, which will take you back into Kashmiri history with it’s mud-plastered walls and lattice work windows.

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#8. Boutique homestay in Srinagar

All you floriculturists out there, this is just the place for you! An awesome combination of comfort, greenery and colour is sure to enrich your experience. Constructed at the foothills of the Himalayas, you can go on early morning runs along the nearby stream. It is close to the Mughal gardens.

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#9. Guesthouse stay

This stylish, luxury guesthouse in the posh Rajbagh area of Srinagar is nothing short of a 5-star hotel. Plush interiors, brilliant gardens, flawless hospitality and delicious food, they have it all. Local conveyance can be looked after by the host if requested.

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Click here to check more options in Srinagar

SaffronStays.com brings you over 1200 homestays across India. Experience true Indian hospitality, the warmth of your local hosts and home-cooked authentic local food, in these homes.

About the Author:

Aatreya Bhat spends a major part of the day reading, writing and jamming. The rest of the day, he spends explaining his name to others. He loves reading political books and is a big fan of the caped crusader. Skydiving and experiencing a Manchester derby at the Trafford will always top his bucket list.

By Sarita Santoshini

Winters, coincidentally, also happen to be the months of weddings and subsequent wedding anniversaries. If you’ve already ticked a great honeymoon off your list and are looking for new ideas and ways to spend a romantic holiday with your spouse, we’ve got it all covered for you.

#1- Go Wild

This is of the Kanha property listed with us — After wildlife safaris in the day, spend the evening by the pool with a glass of wine. Photo by our host, Neelesh

Kerala homestays — Luxury tree houses in Periyar National Park at a height of 30 feet. Photo by our host, Saji

There’s something very wildly romantic about being with your partner, surrounded by acres of forest and knowing very well that the only thing separating you from the wild is a concrete wall. You could be in Kanha, waking up to the sight of the dense forests from the large windows in your luxurious room or in a tree house in Periyar where at a height of 30 feet, your private balconies will give you the best sight of bisons, elephants and barking deer. If you’re looking for something more adventurous and rustic, head to a homestay flanked by the forest in Dandeli or the earthen cottages in Jim Corbett National Park, accessible after a 2 km trek, where you can explore the magical forest on foot.

#2 – Whisk her off to an exotic land

Darjeeling Homestays — The breathtaking view from Kurseong. Photo by Sarita

Meghalaya Homestays — The scenic village of Kongthong in Meghalaya. Photo by our host, Aniduhan.

sikkim homestays — A luxury cottage in Sikkim with a dense beautiful forest at the backdrop. Photo by Sarita

When you live in a country like India, you need not look elsewhere for an exotic idea. The states in East and North-east India, untouched, scenic and extremely beautiful, make for some of the most romantic getaways. If you think Darjeeling is touristy, choose its lesser-known neighbour, Kurseong. Here, you can stay in a charming heritage property with some of the most characteristically-designed rooms or retire to Chimney, a scenic village with a dense juniper forest on one side and a bird’s-eye view of Teesta River and Siliguri on the other side, and enjoy long walks together. In Sikkim, you can stay in beautiful cottages that lie tucked in the midst of misty forests, with only the songs of birds and the whistling wind for company. You can also escape further to Meghalaya, to a resort by the lake in Shillong, to a farm house near the Sacred Grove Forest in Mawphlang or to remote villages like Kongthong and Mawphanlur where, after long scenic treks, you can sit together on a hill top and watch a gorgeous sunset together.

#3 – Treat her like a Queen! Live like Royalty

Rajasthan Homestays — A beautiful room, once occupied by the Maharani, in a Heritage Haveli in Jaipur. Photo by Sarita

Raasthan homestays — Step out of your luxury rooms and right into a pool like this in a Heritage Haveli in Jodhpur. Photo by Sarita

It’s your anniversary and we think that’s a great reason to be treated royally. Yes, we are referring to some beautiful heritage havelis in Rajasthan where you can soak up the winter sun in the traditional courtyards or on a sundeck by the swimming pools or simply never step out of your lavish rooms that come with antique four poster beds and jharokas. In the romantic city of Udaipur, you can stay in rooms by the Lake Pichola and sip wine in your very own private terrace. Then there are Colonial Bungalows surrounded by coffee plantations in Coorg, complete with Victorian furniture, large verandas and manicured lawns, where you’ll have plenty of scenic private space for yourselves.

#4 – Get snowed in!

Himachal homestays — The beautiful hill town of Kotgarh turns white and magical in December. Photo by our host, Shezad

Who wouldn’t want to be tucked under a blanket in a heated room and watch the streets outside get covered with snow or perhaps go out there and get into a snow fight? You can take your pick from beautiful cottages surrounded by apple orchards in Manali or in Kotgarh, a quieter alternative to Shimla, where the temperatures will be low and snowfall plenty. There’s the haven of romantics, Srinagar, where charming bungalows and villas offer plenty of luxury, privacy and comfort on snowy days. The beautiful hill town of Nainital makes for a great option too.

#5 – Escape to a virgin beach/river island

Coastal Maharashtra Homestays — Spend an evening in a beach in Ratnagiri with a hundred odd migratory sea gulls. Photo by Sarita

wooden chalet by the river in Goa — Watch the world go by with your soulmate, as you dip your feet in the river from the pier of this wooden house. Photo by our host, Capt Leo

We’re sure you’ve spent many holidays in Goa and seen all the beaches, but it is in the beautiful, lesser-known Divar Island, accessible by ferry from Old Goa, and in a wooden chalet on the banks of the Mandovi river that you can truly experience the Goan Susegad life. If you aren’t fussed about the luxuries of a high end resort, Coastal Maharashtra offers some pristine and unexplored beaches. Perfect for those endless sunset walks on soft sand and long conversations with your feet dipped in the cold water. All this with the promise of not a soul around.

#6 – Sail on tranquil waters for days

Srinagar Homestays — Heritage houseboats in Dal Lake make for one of the most romantic stays. Photo source: asiaexplorers.com

There’s no denying that the backwaters of Kerala make for some of the most scenic destinations in India. Imagine having a lovely room to yourself, complete with dining and seating arrangements at the deck of your luxury houseboat, and floating in the backwaters for days. If this idea interests you, you can also opt to stay in a heritage houseboat in the beautiful Dal Lake of Srinagar. No meal or conversation can ever be devoid of romance when you’re floating in these tranquil waters. Enjoy the star-lit skies, count the shooting stars from the deck, and you can almost hear the notes of the santoor playing.

Ready to make your anniversary special? Visit our website to book a stay in a beautiful location now!

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About the Author: Born and raised in Assam, Sarita Santoshini has been travelling around India and penning down her experiences over the past year. She currently works as the Content Editor for SaffronStays. You can read more of her travelogues on her blog-http://crumbsfromyourtale.wordpress.com.

Tag: Houseboats

9 Gorgeous Srinagar homestays to experience true Kashmiri hospitality

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