Mascot Houseboats

This was on Nigeen lake. Its situated at a quiet corner of the lake. Nigeen lake is quieter than dal lake. We as a family like it quiet, so enjoyed it here. The views were fantastic and its a very picturesque place. The rooms were massive, beds comfortable, carvings on the houseboat was exquisite and the manager and rest of the staff were very hospitable and respectable. The boat was in need of few repairs here and there but overall it was a good experience. I would suggest taking the Shikhara ride in dal lake instead of here to get the full experience but would definitely suggest staying here since its more calm and quiet with great views. Its anchored to the shore but you need to take a shikara to get to the hotel which takes time. So bear that in mind when planning the day activities.

Beautifully constructed. The carpentry work is exceptional. Loved the views from the deck. Watching the eagles and kingfishers fishing in the lake against the backdrop of the Himalayas was breathtaking. Highly recommend staying here.

The 3 nights that we spent on the houseboat was probably one of the most regal accomodations I have stayed at. The gracious host Me Saukat Toman the eldest of the 3 brothers who run one of the oldest travel companies in Srinagar and owner of 3 houseboats while providing extremely personalised service, took effort in explaining in depth l each and every detail of this iconic house boat which is truly a marvel of intricate wooden artwork. Starting from the entrance doorway, the grand sitting room with the chandelier, the fine artwork on the walnut sofas and centre table.. and finally the palatial bedroom.. all in one of the most picturesque places in Nagin lake is an experience of a life time.

One of the finest and most picutresque places to stay in Srinagar. The rooms are so comfortable and luxurious. Even in minus degree temperatures the heating and the cosiness of the entire place made it a memorable experience. The staff is extremely cheerful and the place makes you feel like home. Don’t miss having regular kehwa, also on the deck upstairs. One must go there with a relaxed mind and not keep it as a night only stay and instead spend a few days just on the houseboat, taking boat rides or just lazying.

If you want the most luxurious, most authentic and most hospitable houseboat experience in Srinagar, Mascot is where it's at. First, the boat. It's a living and breathing example of Kashmiri craft, and worth visiting as an attraction in its own right. Every element has been selected with care. We couldn't believe we were actually *staying* in such a beautiful object. I was worried about the level of luxury on a boat as opposed to a five star hotel, but I can say now, having visited, that the Mascot boat matches and in some cases exceeds a conventional five star experience. The bathrooms were awesome, the mattress of exceptional quality and comfort, and the heating system very effective (we were there during a very cold period). The rooms are also enormous, much larger than a typical hotel room, so there's plenty of space to relax and lounge about either in private or in the shared lounge space. What really differentiated our experience, though, was the service. From the erudite and charming owner Mr Yaseen to the boat staff and our driver, everyone was welcoming, hospitable and accommodating. Anything we needed was arranged without fuss and to the highest level of quality. A special mention about the food, which was wonderfully tasty and home-style, and abundant in quantity too. I still miss the delightful breakfasts and hearty dinners we enjoyed on board. It may seem costly but, having stayed in top hotels all over the world, I think it's well-priced, offering a unique experience compared to a five star hotel chain, with more personal service and in many cases higher level of luxury.