De Laila House Boat (Marketed By Sterling)

The food was very poor and smelled bad, as if it were old baked food. I can’t recommend this property. The service was very poor too. In my view, giving it five stars is sheer stupidity. Lots of people leave five-star ratings without understanding the difference between good and bad.

I paid 10000 for two nights, but the conditions were intolerable and I had to check out the next day. There are other places for 2000 a night with good, luxurious amenities. I personally recommend looking at those options instead. The boat was dark, with very little light, and the heaters didn’t work effectively in winter, so we had to spend the entire night in a cold place. The bathroom leaked, the door locks were broken and under maintenance, there was no hot water, and there was no power backup. Food choices were very limited and the quality was only okay. I didn’t feel it was safe for a family because of the owner’s poor behavior. This felt like a scam using the Sterling name. There was no Sterling sign outside the property, and payment was requested to a different account number to avoid the owner’s GST amount. Stirling will also not help you if you run into trouble.

The spacious deck was a lovely place to enjoy the sun, the lake, and the surrounding mountains. We left with unforgettable memories and a unique experience, and hope the houseboat continues giving guests excellent service. We stayed at the De Laila Houseboat from 17/3/25 to 24/3/25 as Sterling Resorts members. Its design, atmosphere, and upkeep were superb, reflecting Kashmiri culture and the architectural skill of Kashmiri handicrafts. The sitting and dining rooms had traditional Kashmiri decor, and the bathrooms were clean and hygienic. The people running the boat were courteous, polite, and especially attentive to our needs as guests in our seventies. Mr. Tarik was responsible, courteous, and attentive, and did all he could to make us comfortable despite it being the festive month of Ramzaan. The chef, Mohammad Abdulla, made delicious food for different tastes and kept the meals varied. During our seven days, he served us a different kind of breakfast every day. Regards, Renu and Aditya Jain Sterling Membership 215703

The view from the boat is beautiful, and the food was very nice. We only stayed one night at the de laila houseboat, but the design and hospitality made a strong impression. The rooms were large and had a royal feel. The staff were humble and helpful, providing everything we needed on time, and hot water was available whenever we wanted it. I’d happily visit again and recommend it to fellow travellers.