Maharaja of the mountains
As the tourist rush marks the gradual end of Covid-19 days, Srinagar exuberates rare energy. It is not just the city centre that is witnessing the rush. Most hotels at popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam are running full until October 2021. The famous houseboats lining the Dal Lake are also abuzz with the colourful shikharas courting them, reminiscent of the jostling tourist past of this place.
Not far from the Dal Lake, nestled in foothills of Zabarvan Mountain, stands The LaLiT Grand Palace Srinagar. Encircled by snow-capped Himalayan ranges and overlooking the picturesque Dal Lake, the LaLiT Grand Palace Srinagar is the erstwhile residence of the Maharaja of Kashmir.
As I drove to the place, around 8 km from my home, I was greeted by the sheer serenity that surrounds it and the vast expanse of finely curated gardens, unending giant Chinar trees who have been witness to the history of the place and its royal past.
A MEMORABLE STAY
The twin-storeyed heritage property with its sprawling lawns has 113 rooms and suites with sweeping views of the palace gardens and the Dal Lake beyond. If you are visiting the property for the first time, it is located 18 km from the airport, which should take you around 40 minutes.
You will witness the imprints of royal heritage at every nook and corner of the property. It is visible in its antique furniture and fittings, rich upholstery, ethnic carpets and handicraft items. The heritage wing of the hotel, especially the palace style rooms and suites with large bay windows that offer stunning views of Kashmir’s scenic beauty.
The 113 rooms have been categorised into Deluxe Rooms, Super Deluxe Rooms and Palace Suites – Deluxe, Premium, Maharani Suite and Maharaja Suite as well as Palace Cottages. While Deluxe and Super Deluxe Rooms are in the new modern wing, the Palace Suites and Palace Cottages are in the Old Palace wing. To get firsthand experience of Kashmir royalty, The Palace Suites are the best option – the Deluxe Palace Suite or the Premium Palace Suite which comprises a master bedroom and a living area including a dining table. The Maharani Suite comes with impeccable services, understated luxury and modern five-star amenities over 725 sq ft. The Maharaja Suite lets one experience the grandeur of the royal era and consists of four king beds featuring original deodar wood and exquisite woodwork. This suite displays regal splendour at its fullest. This 4,000 sq ft suite has the best view of the gardens and the famous Dal Lake. You can also enjoy access to the hotel’s library which was used during the times of the Maharaja.
THE PLACE IF LOOKING FOR ‘ME TIME’
Those looking for a different experience, the highly indulging cottages offer a right mix of royalty and Kashmiri culture. These cottages are designed with the Khatamband art form (an ancient Persian technique of inlaying) used to decorate the ceiling where small pieces of wood are combined to form the entire structure, thus bringing alive the authentic Kashmiri décor.
A one bedroom cottage (1273 sq ft) comes with a front facing garden view while the Deluxe Palace Two Bedroom Cottage offers serene surroundings and provides a perfect relaxing getaway and a memorable experience. The most extravagant of the offerings are the Premium Palace Cottages with Two Bedrooms, an ideal place to relax with a beautiful garden view and a majestic view of the palace. During my tour to the Palace Suites, I felt being transported back to the royal era. The walls, floor and the majestic furniture so magnificently portrayed the charm of the times gone by and the imprints of history and royalty.
WHERE IS THE FOOD?
Kashmir is not just about its picturesque beauty alone. The food in the valley is exotic. The local cuisine, steeped in tradition, has evolved through generations and is a blend of three different cooking styles - Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims and Mughals.
The LaLiT Grand Palace offers a range of culinary delights starting with Kashmir’s famous Wazwan, the ultimate ceremonial feast mostly consists of meat-based dishes. The word ‘waz’ means chef and ‘wan’ denotes an array of meat curries and other elaborate dishes. While The Chinar is a multi-cuisine restaurant with alfresco area, The Chinar Garden is multi-cuisine open air restaurant that provide the perfect setting to relish the delicacies. One can get to the Dal Bar that overlooks the Dal Lake to let your hair down while soaking in the beautiful view of the outdoors even as you enjoy the spirits and finger food.
FITNESS AND WELLNESS
If you have come all the way to Kashmir, it’s not just a vacation with a view, but a time to heal and reconnect with the Nature too. With AQI levels to envy for, you can try early morning cycling (my personal favourite) from the cycling bay where you are free to pick one of your choice. The sprawling gardens have specially laid out tracks for cycling and jogging enthusiasts and the early morning nip in the air has its unique refreshing feel.
Rejuve-The Spa with an all-weather indoor swimming pool is another big attraction here. It gives you a holistic experience, encompassing aroma, ayurvedic, herbal and natural therapies, patented colour healing and yoga. The property also houses one of Srinagar’s luxurious gyms and a salon. However, the facilities are presently discontinued due to the pandemic. In case you prefer indoor recreational activities, the hotel has an exclusive billiards lounge too.
BANQUET AND CONFERENCE HALLS
Being one of the most visited hotels in the Valley, The LaLiT Grand Palace has an expansive banquet and conference facility equipped to meet the needs of today’s discerning guests. It offers a stunning backdrop for destination weddings, with a sweeping view of the Dal Lake and the Himalayan ranges beyond.
The Durbar Hall with its regal ambience and high ceiling is ideal for grand weddings, conferences, and cocktail receptions. This 2000 sq ft hall is designed in a palace style with high ceilings and elegant carpeting.
The North Hall offers beautiful view of the lush gardens surrounding the hotel, the 1175 sq ft North Hall is perfect for private parties, corporate events and social gatherings of up to 100 guests.
The South Hall is spread over 1175 sq ft. This modern banquet hall is equipped with the latest amenities for private parties, small gatherings and meetings of up to 100 guests.
The Garden: The Palace’s expansive gardens, with stately century-old Chinar trees, scenic walkways and water bodies, offer an enchanting setting for outdoor functions of up to 20,000 guests. The total area of this outdoor venue is 40,000 sq ft. Yes, you read it right.
The staff here seems to be on a mission to let the guests have the best experience that is worth their money and time. When asked about the impact of Covid-19 and how the management dealt with the challenge, Rocky Kalra, Corporate General Manager - Operations, Development and Security said that despite the lean period the management has been able to win the confidence of the guests with its strict adherence to the Covid-19 protocols. “We are witnessing the rush of tourists once again. This property offers a rare mix of royalty with modern offerings. Barring corporate events, we are witnessing the return of social events as per the Covid-19 protocol policy. We hope the season will get better from here on,” he says.
