Houseboat Zaindari Palace — Hotel in Jammu and Kashmir

Earlier this week we had the pleasure of staying at Zindari houseboat. Docked on a tranquil corner of lotus pond area of Dal lake, the houseboat offered a unique blend of comfort, and living in the lap of stunning natural beauty. Well-equipped with basic aminities like heated blankets (it was raining and 3 degrees outside), wood fired room heaters (electric and gas based heaters are not permitted by law) and running hot water in the bathroom, the interior was classical and spacious. We were the only couple on the boat that night. Imran, who is the 4th generation of boat keeper, was very helpful. He arranged for countless cups of Kahawa local tea. Excellent Rista and Gustaba dinner and Paratha breakfast next morning. Our boat was also visited by a floating BBQ restaurant and a father-son duo of sellers of traditional dresses of Kashmir. Enjoyed great shopping onboard. Best was a two hour motor propelled shiraka ride across Dal, Hazratbal and Nageen lakes past iconic char chinar, the bridges, holy mosque preserving the relic of Mohammed Sahib and other landmarks including the water farms and living quarters, schools on lake and the floating fruit and vegetables markets. Thank you Imran for being a great host and teller of stories of the lake district of fabulous...

I stayed on of the Zandari’s houseboat back in the summer of 2013 (August). Every houseboat has its limitations but what was incredible is Imran’s and his families (particularly his father’s) warm hospitality. Food served in the houseboat was delicious and was served timely. You can also get food from restaurants outside and dine in the houseboat. Location wise, it’s about 5-10 minutes shikara ride from Nehru park. Imran was also kind enough to arrange a local taxi at a reasonable rate for travel within Srinagar, airport pick up and drop, Sonmarg and Pahalgam. He also assisted in arranging Shikara at a rate lower than market rate. The houseboat I stayed in had 2 bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a dining room, a drawing room (with good books), a small kitchen and a balcony of sorts. There might be rooms upstairs as well which I am not sure of. Water is a scarce resource on houseboats so you have to careful about it, request for hot water in advance. There are some unpredictable stuff but you can be rest assured that Imran will help you ride through it. Like he helped my friend get a print-out of his flight ticket at an ungodly hour when all shops were shut down. Thank you sir for making our visit memorable...

I had such an amazing experience staying here! The place itself is absolutely beautiful — clean, comfortable, and perfectly maintained. The view is simply breathtaking; whether it’s sunrise or sunset, you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. But what truly made this stay special was the host. They are genuinely one of the kindest and most welcoming people I’ve ever met. From the moment I arrived, they made me feel completely at home — more like family than a guest. They went above and beyond in every possible way, always making sure I had everything I needed and even helping with things I didn’t expect. It’s rare to find hosts who put so much care and heart into ensuring their guests have a perfect stay. Every little detail was thought of, and their hospitality made such a difference. If you’re looking for a place with a wonderful atmosphere, stunning views, and a host who truly treats you like family, this is the place to stay. I can’t recommend it enough — I’ll definitely be...