Intercontinental The Grand Palace Srinagar

Up here on Gupkar Road in Srinagar, things move a bit slower than they do in the big cities. The building has a lot of history to it, and you can feel that when you walk through the halls. It used to be a palace, so the ceilings are high and the rooms are spread out over the grounds. We spend a lot of time looking after the gardens and making sure the paths are clear. When the weather gets cold, we have to make sure the heating is working perfectly because the mountain air is no joke. The view of the lake and the hills is what people usually talk about when they arrive. We have a lot of local staff who have lived in Srinagar their whole lives. We don't use a lot of fancy corporate talk; we just tell people where to find a good cup of tea or how to get down to the water. The road outside is quiet compared to the main markets, which is nice if you want some peace. We have old wooden furniture and heavy curtains that keep the light out in the morning. Sometimes a lightbulb needs changing or a door might squeak, but we get to it when we can. It’s just a big, old house that we’ve turned into a place for people to stay while they visit the valley.