Hotel Royal Lodge

The metro station is right in front of the hotel, and the rooms are big enough to fit five or six people easily. It isn't too expensive either. I had a good stay, and would also suggest it to friends or family.

It’s a practical, clean and comfortable budget stay for ISB and Balakot, and the location is handy for the main bazaar and bus station. Just keep in mind that peak season gets crowded, so booking ahead is a good idea. Read the reviews before reserving to get a sense of what to expect.

The room itself was comfortable, but the promised hot water never came. I could hear people outside, and basic things were missing, including a bucket, bathroom and door mats, a night lamp, and a heater. For this price, you can find a much better hotel. One bright spot was Sajid from the car service: he was really kind, drove a 2020 Corolla, and charged reasonable rates that included the car, fuel, and guidance. I’d definitely recommend him.

I wouldn’t recommend staying here. The beds were broken, the sheets and washroom were dirty, there were mosquitoes, and the furniture was old or damaged. Staff weren’t helpful and room service was poor. They even charged 100 Rs for a locally filled water bottle.