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In Northern Pakistan, there's a big difference between a hotel and a resort. A hotel just provides you with a room with a road nearby, whereas a resort provides you with a beautiful view, grounds, and various activity options so you have an enjoyable stay. The north of the country has an abundance of both hotels and resorts, and the resorts that stand out the most are located in the Swat Valley and along the border with China.
We have compiled the properties that we think deserve to be called resorts. We outline what each of them provides, and why we think it justifies the price. We also provide some tips to ensure you are not surprised when you arrive.
HospitalityTours.com.pk books quality resorts in northern Pakistan, from our office in Islamabad. When you request a quote for a stay at one of these resorts, we check availability and confirm bookings under your name before quoting. We also create travel itineraries that are centered on the resorts for our customers. For reservations, please send us your desired dates and destination on WhatsApp. Contact at the end.
Gojal, Upper Hunza. Resort located on Attabad Lake with guest rooms featuring glass fronts for lake views.
The lake was only formed in 2010 due to a landslide that blocked the Hunza River. The Resort was built in that area of the landscape and is literally built on the water. Most of the bookings there are honeymoons and photography-related, which is a good indication of the property. It is booked in July and August many months in advance. Consider booking in September if you can't make it during the peak months.
Karimabad, Hunza. The sole internationally franchised mountain hotel north of Gilgit.
Full generator backup and a stable power supply, verified guest sources indicating this hotel possesses the strongest WiFi in the valley, Aga Khan Development Network eco-certification, and a kitchen that can handle/cater groups. The terrace offers views of Rakaposhi, Ultar Sar, and Diran. This hotel makes solving the logistics puzzle easy, as you know what you will get. Reservations should only be made through official channels - several fake listings have appeared on other booking platforms.
Up on Duikar ridge, above Karimabad, at about 3,100 meters, the view incorporates five peaks, all over 7,000 meters.
Eagle's Nest is a view property, and it deserves that classification. Basic resort rooms and facilities, but the sunrise view from Eagle’s Nest is the best in Hunza without a trek. A one-night stay on the ridge is the best way to enjoy the view.
Karimabad, Hunza
A newer mountain view hotel with consistently strong ratings on booking sites and positioning itself in the mid-range luxury segment. The valley views and the location on the river make this hotel a worthwhile alternative to the Serena Hotel for travelers wanting a newer hotel with a reasonable price.
Hunza Valley
A property with a focus on good design and an alternative to mountain lodges. Rooms are comfortable with good views and a kitchen worth using.
Gilgit city, at the junction of three mountain ranges.
The most reliable full-service accommodation in the regional capital. Features a garden, generator backup, and the best food in Gilgit according to travellers. Although Gilgit is visited less frequently and is usually a stopover on most tours, it is convenient to stay here when the weather cancels flights to Skardu, and you have to reschedule the day. Another name to know in the mid-tier would be Springfield Resort Gilgit.
Lower Kachura Lake, approximately thirty kilometres from Skardu city.
The most well known Resort in Baltistan. Shangrila Resort has been operational since 1983, and has centered itself alongside a turquoise heart-shaped lake in the Karakoram, with picturesque red-roofed cottages. The Resort has kept the fuselage of the crashed airplane as a restaurant. Because of the flood damage in 2024, renovations were completed, and the Resort is reported to now be accessible via newer, wider-body flight operations to Skardu.
Shigar Valley, about thirty kilometres east of Skardu city.
A Balti fort that was restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture as a heritage hotel by Serena Hotels. Wood carvings in the interiors reminisce of the old pre-Islamic state. Not a lot of rooms, and one has to book months in advance to get a reservation. This hotel is a must-add to your travel itinerary, especially for the unique experience it provides.
Khaplu, approximately one hundred kilometres east of Skardu.
Mid-19th century royal residence of the Raja of Khaplu restored by the Aga Khan Cultural Service and managed by Serena Hotels. A view of the valley below from the upper rooms. The apricot terraces are farmed on the sloping landscape, and the Karakoram are above. Open to the public for museum visits. A similar booking requirement to Shigar Fort for the summer.
Wazirpur, Shigar Valley. Note: approximately nineteen miles from Skardu airport.
Views, a pool, a spa, a sauna, villas and chalets, and an on-site restaurant. Five-star accommodations with a hive of activity that is so appreciated by guests who knew how far the Resort was from Skardu. Those guests who thought it was in Skardu and needed to go there daily to visit the fort or the desert found the trek to be a daily hassle. Know the distance before booking.
Skardu area.
Good listing that is consistently at the top of the rental lists for accommodations in Skardu. The listing is promoted by verified rental sites as a heritage and chain alternative.
Saidu Sharif, Swat Valley.
The first quality hotel in the valley with colonial architecture, an international and local dining option, well-kept gardens and the best service in Swat. The best base for the Buddhist heritage site below the valley.
Situated at 2,804 meters, on the slope of Malam Jabba, Swat Valley
The one and only chain hotel at a ski slope. During winter, this is the obvious choice for ski lovers, with access to the chairlift and slope. This hotel is also open in summer as a mountain station. Book well in advance for weekends in December to February.
This luxury hotel is a fairly new addition to the Swat Valley. Mahodand Lake is beyond upper Swat. It is situated at the gateway to the lake.
There are mountain views, a terrace, a restaurant, and a garden at this hotel. The Swat Motorway has improved the hotel scene, and this is an example of the new service.
This hotel is in a great location for all the day trips to the most popular places from Naran. It is also well located for trips to the lakes and scenic areas. The accommodation in Naran starts filling quickly with advance bookings in July and August.
The decision mostly depends on three things, rather than star rating: location in relation to your plans, whether or not the property runs in winter and if you are out of peak season, and heating.
Hunza Serena and Luxus Hunza Attabad Nestled in different areas of the valley, If you wish to explore the forts and bazaar on foot, Serena places you in Karimabad, but if you wish to enjoy the luxurious views of the lake from your bed, Luxus places you forty-five minutes north on the water. Both resorts are truly remarkable, and it truly depends on your itinerary and travel plans to determine whether to choose Serena or Luxus.
For Skardu, Shigar Fort is located on the road leading to Baltoro and is outside the city; Himmel is eighteen miles away from the airport on the opposite side, while Shangrila is thirty kilometers away on the outskirts of Kachura Lake. As a main attraction for the Deosai tour, it is better to stay in the city, while for Shigar heritage, a stay at the fort should be preferred.
Please confirm when the Resort will be open and running at full capacity, as some northern resorts may be closed for the winter or may be running with limited services.
Booking rooms can be misleading. Please confirm which room has which view. At resorts with cottages, mountain rooms cannot be guaranteed to be lake rooms.
Confirm the generator hours: this may be understood differently, as full backup means three hours a day.
Confirm whether breakfast is included in the rate, and if cancellation is possible and what the penalty is. Most mountain resorts are non cancel/non refundable on peak season bookings.
Confirm your booking before you transfer money.
For your convenience, we recommend booking three to four months in advance for summer stays at Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace. Both have an excellent reputation and limited rooms.
What is the best Resort in northern Pakistan with a view? At Eagle's Nest, Duikar above Karimabad, one can see five peaks over 7,000 meters from the ridge. At Hunza Serena, one can see Rakaposhi, Diran, and Ultar Sar from the terrace. Both are great answers to the same question.
What is the luxury resort on Attabad Lake? Luxus Hunza Attabad Lake Resort honors its proximity to the lake with all of its glass-fronted rooms facing it.
What is the best Resort near Skardu? Best for heritage: Serena Shigar Fort. Best for a lake resort: Shangrila Resort. Best for a city resort, PC Legacy Skardu.
Are the Serena hotels worth it? Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace are great options. For a price, you can get a Balti palace room that is much more unique and preserved than many other Balti palace rooms in the midrange. It's up to you if you think it's worth it.
Is Himmel Skardu worth it? Yes , for travelers who know it is in the Shigar Valley, not the Skardu City. The views, the facilities and guest reviews are strong. The only real limitation is how far it is from the city.
Which Resort is best for families? Shangrila Resort for its lake, boating, and resort grounds. Hunza Serena is our choice, as it has dependable service and a kids-friendly kitchen. The Arcadian Riverside Naran is our choice for its proximity to Saif-ul-Malook and the river.
Let us know the location, dates, and the main focus for your trip: a hotel stay at a specific resort, a valley itinerary where a resort is one of the stays, or a full northern circuit itinerary with two to three hotels. We can check availability in your time frame and confirm the booking under your name. We then arrange the transport with the guides around the hotel, instead of having the accommodation as a separate concern.
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