Stay here in SRINAGAR to Travel in Time 🧭

While surfing for a hotel to stay in Srinagar, I came across a two floor eclectic & geometric looking white coloured building with charcoal grey metallic rafters. And it’s unique look immediately caught my attention.

The lush lawns on banks of the calm Nigeen lake on which this Art Deco vintage gem Dar Es Salam sits, looks true to what it's name means: a peaceful abode.

The approach to the property is rather busy and unassuming. A simple iron gate right off a busy road- leading to a small drive way, big enough just to park a couple of vehicles at a time.

The real charm, however, of this vintage home converted into a hotel starts once you are inside this main gate.

Manicured lawns, dotted with variety of flowers- beautifully maintained- overlooking the quiet and calm Nigeen lake. The hotel will literally feel like a white water Lilly to some one observing it from a distance.

The interior of the hotel does a good job living up to the expectations set by the exterior of it.

All the furnishing inside is vintage and the hotel itself has an old world charm. From Morano chandelier bought back in the day around the same time that this property got constructed, to the over hundred year old Persian carpets the interiors are not only donned into the best of the best international vintage but also the Kashmiri handicrafts beautifully lie around the common sitting areas of this property.

The treat to the eyes of a vintage lover does not only stop at eye level, but it greets you the moment you raise your eyes and look at the ceiling which is made in traditional Khatamband style with deodar wood to the carpets from the early 1900s to the chandleries and all the vintage artefacts , every thing inside Dar Es Salam hotel comes together to transport its guests to many decades back in time.

The dining hall serves not a large variety but really well cooked breakfast. Almost every morning you will be served a lip smacking local non-vegetarian delicacy, cooked in the most authentic and traditional way by an expert the hotel hires for cooking all local dishes for its guests.

Definitely request for the flavour overload Harees which they serve with a local bread and you can thank me later!

The sleep quality was quite comfortable but only once I got the comforters removed from the mattress. I believe the Uber modern idea of comforter in a vintage stay dint go well with the body:).

But besides that the room sizes are alright not at all like how small they look on Tripadvisor. Toilets are modern but not over the top.

Everything that the owners and management has tried to do with the property works in great tandem to give its guest a comfortable time.

Tip: Definitely hail yourself a shikara right off the small dock that the property has, it is just that micro moment feel that will make you feel so connected to the vibe of being a local in the city and if not for that do it coz it is just the coolest feeling I tell you! And spend some early mornings soaking up the surrounding while sipping your tea from the lush gardens.

See how we spent our time in the beautiful property of Dar Es Salam Srinagar by clicking here .