Perched on a secluded ridge high above the calm waters of Dal Lake with the rugged backdrop of the Zabarwan Hills, Qayaam Gah is a place to slow down and tune out of the modern world and immerse yourself in peace and tranquillity with breathtaking views of the majestic beauty of the Vale of Kashmir.
Location
Qayaam Gah Hotel lies 20km or 30 minutes from Srinagar Airport and close to Srinagar Old City, Mughal Gardens, and Royal Spring Gold Course.
Style & Character
Relax into lazy days of sipping steaming saffron-infused Kashmiri tea while feasting your eyes on the mesmerizing vista of life on Dal Lake below. Watch shikaras drifting between houseboats, stilted lakeside hamlets, and floating gardens while the shimmering image of Hazat Bal Shrine is reflected in the water like a mirage.
Take leisurely strolls on mountain paths to spectacular viewpoints and local villages for a taste of the timeless rhythms of traditional rural Kashmiri life. Trek over the hills of the great Zabarwan range to the Dachigam National Park, where Himalayan Black Bears and the Hangul Kashmiri Stag roam, a delight for birders. And visit nearby ornate Mughal Gardens and atmospheric historic heritage sites steeped in history.
Service & Facilities
Punctuated with elaborate carvings of lotus motifs and intricate jali screens, cozy interiors are decorated with antique rugs and a blend of contemporary and time-honored wooden furniture. Wraparound panoramic windows celebrate the sublime location, enjoyed from the terrace on balmy summer days, or bathed in the warmth of a roaring Bukhari wood-burning stove on snowy winter nights. The innovative menu is focused on authentic local flavors and internationally inspired fusion dishes designed to delight and excite all tastes.
A short stroll from the infinity pool, ascending through the terraced plum and cherry orchards, Ruh, crafted from glass, cedar, and pine, crown the property atop a stone plinth embellished with classical lamp niches.
Choose a book from Ruh’s fascinating library and learn of local history, wildlife, and Sufism over a cup of Kashmiri saffron tea, or at sunset lounge in the sunken alfresco fire pit where an ornamental pool catches reflections of the ever-changing color streaked sky and myriad of flickering candles lit as night falls.
Rooms
Stay in style and comfort in one of the four luxury villas or three suites tucked away among the orchids and terraced fields.
Seamlessly integrated into their surroundings, each of Qayaam’s oversized pavilions offers blissful seclusion, blended with a perfect balance of indoor/outdoor living and stylish luxury. Four free-standing villas pay homage to vernacular style with traditional Kashmiri carpets, woodcarving, and Bukhari wood-burning stoves.
Wide verandas that encourage communing with nature and deliver uninterrupted 180-degree views of Dal Lake, the surrounding mountains, and orchids will appeal to anyone seeking peace and tranquility.
While the three suites share a similar style and spectacular views from king-size beds and generous verandas, they also feature family residence style living space with sitting and study area and can be interconnected as two-bedroom suites.
Food & Drink
At the heart of Qayaam Gah sits the Ruh restaurant, living space, and library combining Kashmiri design, culture, and cuisine to create a relaxed, stylish indoor-outdoor haven with uninterrupted 360-degree views of the soaring Zabarwan Mountains and mirror-smooth Dal Lake far below.
The innovative menu is focused on authentic local flavors and internationally inspired fusion dishes designed to delight and excite all tastes. Share an afternoon high tea here in dappled sunshine, or enjoy a sundowner as dusk descends, or for something even more special, try a private moon-lit dinner here with mood lighting and live music.
Nourished by natural spring water, the retreat will have organic gardens where guests can select and pick vegetables and local herbs to accompany fish bought from fishermen on the shores of the lake below. Poultry and eggs will come from the nearby local village, where the hotel’s own cows are tended. All of this generates local employment in an area whose traditional economy has been hard hit by recent developments.
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