Shangrila Resort Skardu — Hotel in Gilgit-Baltistan

Came here for my honeymoon and I have to say, I was EXTREMELY disappointed. STAY AWAY from this place, it is expensive and a waste of time.

Service: 0/5 The front desk staff are rude for no reason. We were kindly asking them basic questions about room services and they just laughed at us and didn't take anything seriously. When we were wanting to give feedback, we were disrespectfully ignored. We asked at one point if we could borrow a clothing iron (standard request) but they said they did not have any available as the ENTIRE resort only had 3 irons. How are you charging us so much and not willing to provide these services adequately? At no point were we told that they provided laundry services either. The only plus is that they provide shuttle service.

Value: 0/5 This resort is extremely expensive for absolutely no reason. The room prices did not hold value at all as the rooms were average at best. The Mountain View room was advertised as a unique experience compared to the rest of the resort, little did we know the only unique thing about it was that they did not provide service up there because "it is too far from reception". If that's the case, then why offer that room in the first place? Or if it truly is difficult to provide service there, then let the customer know this before they book. The room itself looked terrible and old and the furnishings were neither comfortable nor aesthetically pleasing. We also stayed in a different room, closer to the lake, but even that looked very dated. It was average at best. Also, the electricity went out and the front desk did not even notify us about it. There was no backup generator either. Our AC turned off, alarm clocks turned off, and wake-up service was not provided even though it was requested. We could have missed our flight because of this. They did not even apologize to us for any of this and did not accommodate for it either.

Food: 2/5 Quality of the food was average or worse. Coffee was 900+ rupees and was not even actual espresso. They use a Nescafe machine that you find basically anywhere. If you are charging so much for coffee, at least make proper coffee. If you want any flavors, it's an extra charge. Breakfast was mediocre and they run out quickly. It was not tasteful at all.

Views: 5/5 The pictures can't begin to describe the views. The views are incredible and you could just stare at the scenery all day. But this alone is not a good reason to stay at Shangrila Resort. You are better off staying at Tibet Hotel across the lake. It is the exact same views but with far, far better services, larger and well-furnished rooms, better quality food, and less in price. If you want to visit Shangrila for it's amenities, you can stay at Tibet and get a day pass for Shangrila for 1000 rupees and save your money and get 10x more value for your money. 100% recommend Tibet Hotel,...

A Beautiful Escape with Room for Improvement

Shangrila Resort, nestled in the breathtaking landscape of Kachura near Skardu, is undoubtedly a lovely place to spend at least one or two nights. Every nook and cranny of the resort feels like it belongs in a postcard—perfect for leisurely strolls, quiet reflection, or just soaking in nature’s charm.

The short trek uphill is a must-do! It’s a moderately easy climb, but the panoramic views that await you at the top are absolutely worth every step. The serene Kachura Lake, shimmering with countless trout, adds a magical touch to the whole experience—watching the fish dance beneath the crystal-clear waters is oddly therapeutic.

I thoroughly enjoyed my one-night stay. The reception staff, the ever-smiling restaurant manager, and the courteous shuttle driver were all genuinely warm and helpful. Their hospitality stood out and made the check-in and dining experience pleasant and smooth.

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However, a few things did leave a sour note—especially given the premium pricing of the resort:

• Unrestricted Visitor Access: Throughout the day—and surprisingly even until 10 PM—non-resident visitors were allowed to roam freely. This significantly affected the resort’s tranquility. It felt less like a peaceful retreat and more like a public park during peak hours. • Underwhelming Food: The dining experience, sadly, did not live up to expectations. The food was just average, and the breakfast spread was particularly uninspired. For a resort of this stature, I expected something more distinctive—perhaps local flavors or a touch of gourmet. • Rooms in Need of an Upgrade: While the rooms are fairly spacious, their interiors are quite basic and in need of a serious facelift. A refurbishment could truly elevate the guest experience and align the ambiance with the beauty outside. • Hospitality Gaps: One of the most jarring aspects of my stay was the lack of courtesy from some of the support staff—particularly the security personnel and gardeners. On multiple occasions, I was questioned for simply standing on my room’s balcony and was even asked to show my key to “prove” I was a guest. Meanwhile, day visitors roamed unchecked, plucking fruit from trees and smoking in common areas without any intervention.

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Final Thoughts:

Shangrila Resort offers a slice of heaven in terms of location and scenery, but the overall experience falls short of expectations due to inconsistent service standards and lax visitor management. With better maintenance, tighter controls, and a bit more attention to guest comfort, it could truly live up to its name as a “Heaven on Earth.”

Would I return? Maybe—for the views. But I’d think twice about the...

My recent stay at Shangrila Resort in Skardu was, to put it mildly, a disappointment. Despite the resort's reputation as a luxury destination, the experience did not live up to the hefty price tag of PKR 200,000 per night. Upon arrival, we were surprised to find that there were no guest slippers provided in any of the rooms. This is a basic amenity that one would expect in any hotel, let alone a resort charging such a premium rate. Additionally, there was no iron or iron stand available in the room, and the resort had the audacity to charge PKR 700 for ironing a single t-shirt. This level of service is unacceptable for a so-called luxury resort. The state of the bathroom was another major disappointment. The taps were broken, which made using the facilities a challenge. To make matters worse, by the second night, the room began to emit a foul smell. This lack of maintenance and attention to detail is not something one expects from a resort of this caliber. The service at the resort was equally disappointing. We had to call the reception and room service multiple times—three or four times—just to get some water. When we finally received the water, we were shocked to be charged PKR 2,300 for six bottles. This is an outrageous amount, especially considering the resort's already exorbitant rates. Another significant issue was the lack of proper religious facilities. The resort did have a mosque, but it looked like it was built in the 1800s and was in dire need of renovation. For a resort catering to guests from diverse backgrounds, this neglect of such an important facility is unacceptable. Housekeeping services were also far from satisfactory. We called room service for cleaning before heading out for the day, only to be told that cleaning wouldn't start until 1 PM. When we returned at 4 PM, the room had still not been cleaned. This lack of promptness and attention to guest needs is indicative of poor management and service standards. Finally, the resort's pricing policies were outrageous. We were charged PKR 20,000 for two mattresses for two nights, a cost that should have been covered under the package we took. This, combined with the other issues, made us feel like we were being nickel-and-dimed at every turn. Overall, our stay at Shangrila Resort Skardu was far from the luxurious experience we were promised. The poor facilities, unresponsive service, and excessive charges made us feel that we were not getting our money's worth. I would strongly advise potential guests to reconsider their stay at this resort unless significant improvements are made. For the price we paid, we expected much more in terms of service, comfort, and...