Persian Group of Houseboats

Irshad looked after everything for us as shikara rider, caretaker, and cook. He was courteous, friendly, approachable, and hardworking, and made sure we were comfortable. The food was freshly cooked and delicious, and breakfast was satisfying. We spent our last night in Srinagar at Persian Palace Houseboat before heading to the airport. A shikara picked us up at the ghat, then we had a relaxing ride of nearly two hours around Dal Lake before settling in. The cozy boat was tastefully furnished with wood and carpets, giving it a traditional Kashmiri feel, and our room was comfortable. In December it gets cold at night. The gas heater is turned off around midnight for safety and switched on again in the morning, so winter travelers should keep that in mind. The personal hospitality made for a pleasant, authentic stay and a peaceful end to our trip.

We paid expecting basic comfort and decent meals, but the room was in poor condition and there was no proper heater despite Kashmir's cold weather. The freezing night was extremely uncomfortable. The food tasted far from fresh and wasn't served properly. Staff behavior added to the frustration. They seemed unprofessional and fake, talked unnecessarily, and made excuses instead of helping. I didn't feel management cared about guest comfort. The facilities were below average and the meals unsatisfactory, so I wouldn't recommend this property for a peaceful, comfortable stay in Kashmir. It wasn't worth the price for us.

The houseboat sits in a peaceful spot on Dal Lake, with lovely views of the water and surrounding mountains. Watching sunrise and sunset from the deck felt magical, and the gentle movement of the water made everything calm. Inside, it was clean, well maintained, and elegantly decorated, with plenty of space and comfort. The charming design suited the setting, and it had the amenities needed for a relaxing stay. I had an unforgettable time there and would recommend a Dal Lake houseboat to visitors.

The rooms were clean and the location was convenient, without much travel from the ground surface. We got homely Jain food, prepared without onion or garlic. But the service was terrible. The caretaker lived there, yet spent our visit talking on the phone and barely paid attention to us. We had a baby and needed baby food prepared. Even while the baby was crying, he stayed on his call while we waited, and he wasn't welcoming when we arrived. We booked through a travel agency, but for what we paid, it wasn't a good experience.