Best Hotels in the Northern Areas of Pakistan
When you think of “Best Hotels”, it doesn’t mean the same thing up north. Due to the non-uniform star system and the fact that the quality of a hotel can change based on the season, one hotel can be great in June and just ok in October. And a hotel that has an amazing view might have power for only 4 hours a night. What you are actually selecting for is heating, hot water, good food, access to roads, and view, respectively, when the temperature drops.
The stays listed below are the ones where you will actually get what you are looking for for the area you are headed to, listed from north to south. Prices change from high season to the shoulder season, so nothing is expressed in PKR. Look at the final section before sending this to anyone.
We book them all, and we have some of them.
www.hospitalitytours.com.pk is the project of Hospitality Park (Pvt) Ltd, which develops resorts, luxury villas, and eco-domes in Pakistan. This means some of the bookings we do are with hotels that we own, and the rest are with hotels that we have used and checked ourselves. You convey the route and the standard to us; we take care of bookings, and you get confirmations with your name on it. Send your dates on WhatsApp. Contact details are at the end.
The Best Hotels Northern Pakistan Has To Offer - The most unique aspect of discovering the best hotels in Northern Pakistan is that the north has its own unique distinction for what makes a hotel "best", and it's important to know that when you talk about best hotels in Northern Pakistan, you really mean best hotels for Northern Pakistan. The use of the "star" system is highly localized; different properties can be of excellent quality in different seasons, and a hotel with the best view can have generator-powered electricity only for 4 hours a night. In allocating resources like food, heating, and water, when the temperature drops, priority is given to roads with relatively unobstructed views.
Here are the stays that are the most consistent in each area. They are in order from north to south of where you will be. Prices change greatly from high season to shoulder season, so nothing is quoted in rupees. Look at the last section before you send this to anyone.
We book all of these, and we have some of them.
HospitalityTours.com.pk is the project of Hospitality Park (Pvt) Ltd, which develops resorts, luxury villas, and eco-domes in Pakistan. That means our own group runs part of what we book, and the rest comes from hotels we have used and checked ourselves. You convey the route and the standard to us; we take care of bookings, and you get confirmations under your own name. Send your dates on WhatsApp. Contact details are at the end.
Restored forts
Travelers wanting a break from the typical hotel stay in Pakistan have a few interesting options. Serena Shigar Fort, Serena Khaplu Palace, and Serena Altit Fort Residences are renovated historic structures, the result of long-term efforts in conservation collaborations with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
Rooms at these establishments are limited, and the structures are historic; therefore, there are no business hotel standards or amenities. Guests can opt to spend the night in an old historic structure in either Baltistan or Hunza. Thinking of a historic stay? Book these at least a couple of months in advance.
Hunza and Gojal
The most reliable serviced accommodation in central Hunza is the Hunza Serena Hotel, located on a terrace overlooking the central fort and the peaks. It has stable electricity, proper heating, and a kitchen that can accommodate larger parties.
Luxus Hunza Attabad Lake Resort is the most photographed hotel in the valley, and for a good reason, as it is located right on the lake with rooms that have full lakefront glass.
Eagle's Nest Hotel, Duikar, is located at an excellent vantage point overlooking the entire horizon with Rakaposhi and Diran. The access road is a bit steep and slow, so treat it as a one-night stop.
Hard Rock Hunza Resort and Villas have modern accommodations that focus more on space, with a move away from the historic.
Hunza Darbar Hotel and Best Western Premier Karimabad. Decent choices in Karimabad, a short walk from the Bazaar and Baltit Fort. This is especially true for those guests without a vehicle.
A little further up the Madyan Valley, there are a couple of options in Gulmit and Passu. Passu Hostel, Passu Lake Hostel, Passu Guest House, etc.
Gilgit
Gilgit Serena Hotel. A reliable option if you are only passing through and a good choice if you need a generator with backup and the best food in town.
If you need some peace, try the Ramada Resort by Wyndham Gilgit:
Baltistan
Shangrila Resort. Perfect for spending the night at Kachur Lake (shown in the photos). It's a resort in a garden, so get ready for something less like a mountain lodge and more like a family place.
These new places are also along the highway to the airport. Himmel Skardu by Luxus and Avari Xpress Skardu go out to the Shangrila Resort and Serena Skardu Shigar Fort and Serena Khaplu Palace (which you should check out if you don’t mind a little drive each way).
Skardu has a long list of hotels which you should explore before booking. Varying standards on offer mean that getting a room booked by someone who has been there before would not be a bad idea.
Envision your trip. Fairy Meadows has no access by road. Traversing the jeep track leads to Cotages and Huts. Basic amenities are available. Expect cold water and power outages. Witness Nanga Parbat starting your day with a view from your tent. The most recognized hut is Raikot Sarai.
No one visits Astore for the accommodations. The only offerings are some hotels in town and basic rooms in Rama.
The hotels along the river in Naran are Pine Park Hotel and Arcadian Riverside. Naran gets crowded during the months of July and August, along with price increases. Be prepared to lose your booking if you do not book early. Everything shuts down once the snow comes.
Malam Jabba offers Pearl Continental as the only hotel on the ski runs. It is the only hotel chain in the area. It offers a chairlift in the summer and a snowy winter view.
Kalam has a growing number of hotels along the river. Be sure to ask all important questions. Inquire about the power and the road beyond Bahrain.
Chitral
Hindukush Heights, beyond Chitral Town. A small family-run hotel with a view of Tirich Mir. A good place in lower Chitral. Not much is available at this standard west of the Shandur Road.
Things to check before payment of advance
These six questions will help avoid most problems.
Is room heating available during the month of my stay, and is it functional? Many guests switch off their heating during the shoulder months.
What is the generator time, and when is there hot water?
Is the booking confirmed with my name? Do you have a reference for me?
What is the cancellation policy? What happens to the advance payment in case the road is closed?
Which block of the hotel is my room allocation in? There is a big difference in the cottages at a resort if there is a lake view vs no lake view.
This is the hotel's own website, correct? Advance requests through Facebook during peak months, especially, are a problem. Money is not returned.
Rooms get booked quickly, especially for the months of July and August. Book with a confirmed reservation in advance, since you will not get the room booking for your required date. Book using a channel that confirms your booking.
Let’s book the right way.
Give us your route, dates and expectations on a scale from ‘furnished residence’ to ‘clean, mid-range’ hotel near bazaar. We will provide you with the names of hotels, confirmed bookings and transport to and from hotels, with the final cost aligning with your satisfaction. We will alert you to any closures, overbookings or anything that deviates from what is advertised online.
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