Lahore Backpackers

Everything there felt magical: Lahore, Regal Inn, Malik, Gunga, Baba Chaman, the Sufi Dance and the Sufi Festivals. Malik, the beautiful and insightful owner, was so kind, generous and spiritual, and took us to many Sufi and Qaval Festivals. I loved staying there for months. It’s been 14 years since I was there, but remembering my stay still makes my heart race. After returning to my home country, Iran, I kept thinking I’d go back one day. Now I live in Australia and still feel I must return, this time with my daughter, and stay longer.

It was magic while I was there, though it’s been many years since my stay. Mr. Malik, who was the proprietor then, took visitors to places locals knew about, like cheap backstreet markets, qwaali music and Sufi ceremonies. Some of the best times of this Canadian girl's life!

The place was quiet despite the traffic, and the staff were friendly and helpful. It’s centrally located near plenty of food courts and markets, costs 1000 for a double room, and offered us a discount for a longer stay. We could use the kitchen, and drinking water was available. The downsides were the inaccurate information about the room conditions and poor cleanliness. The promised hot water wasn’t there, and our private room was taken, so we had to spend some days in a windowless first floor dorm-style room at the same price. There was trash and a used mask under the bed. Internet in the second floor room was far too slow, and the shared bathroom upstairs had no cleaning products. Generally, it’s okay if budget conditions don’t bother you. The private-bathroom rooms are occupied by long-term local tenants. If you can, ask a local friend to find out the price for you.

There’s no sign on Temple Street, and the entrance is very small, so you need to ask where the hotel is. Check-in is on the third floor, and there’s no elevator.