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Compared to other regions in the north of Pakistan, Gilgit has fairly adequate hotel facilities. Being the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan and the largest city in the northern areas, the range of hotels in Gilgit is wider, from dormitories to three/four star facilities. Compared to other cities in northern Pakistan, Gilgit's hotels are fairly good, however, due to the irregular nature of public transport in Gilgit and the surrounding areas, the location of the hotel in Gilgit is very important.
The hotels in Gilgit can generally be classified into three zones. The zone in the lower area of the city which is adjacent to the main bazaar, has the largest number of hotels. This zone is also more chaotic and noisy. A more peaceful location and a good view can be found in hotels located in the upper zone of the city. These hotels are also farther away from the main city roads. The airport road also has a number of hotels which are also fairly peaceful and good.
Within each of these zones, the quality of hotels can vary greatly. The condition of the hotel facilities can also vary by floor. It is better to check photos of a specific room before booking in a hotel in Gilgit. Most of the hotels in Gilgit are privately owned and fill up quickly during the peak season.
There is only one real option when it comes to fancier hotels, the Gilgit Serena hotel. It is owned by the Aga Khan group's hotel chain. While it isn't a bad option, it is overpriced, uninspired, and uniform. The only reason one might stay there is if you are a government official or if you work for a foreign embassy and need a reliable place to stay. For everyone else the midrange options are way better.
If you are traveling during peak season (July to August) it is best to make reservations in advance as the hotel fills up quickly. If you do not have a confirmed reservation, do not count on getting a room, especially if you have a large group and/or if you are planning to travel to other places after Gilgit. You will also want to make your reservations in advance if you are looking to stay at Serena Gilgit during the off season (which also tends to be when rock climbing and other outdoor activities are most popular).
There have been a few new family-owned mid-upper range hotels in Gilgit in the last few years. Like Serena Gilgit, they have mountain views and on-site dining, and a couple have even has on-site restaurants. Again, like Serena Gilgit, their quality and consistency is hit or miss.
A mid range hotel in Gilgit usually means that they have 24 hour hot water, a mobile phone signal, and an in house kitchen. The nicer hotels even have their own generators. The condition of the lower range of mid-range hotels even have lower range mid-range conditions and more closely resemble the guesthouses from the lower range.
However, more recently, there have been some better mid-range hotels. In fact, one of the best owned by a private business was recently opened and actually has an on-site restaurant.
Properties in Jutial tend to be more reliable in this price range. Compared to the bazaar, it is much more quiet. Recently, several hotels have been built in Jutial, and they provide a better option than the older hotels in the bazaar. The downside of staying in Jutial is the additional distance from the bazaar and jeep stands.
When families are looking for accommodation, the best choice is a hotel that offers interconnecting rooms. Most hotels in the area offer double rooms only. A family would not be comfortable in a hotel with a shared passage or corridor between the two rooms.
Budget guesthouses in the Gilgit bazaar are a good option if you just need a roof over your head and a meal. The PTDC Motel in Gilgit is considered a better option, compared to others in the area. If your itinerary does not involve staying in your hotel, and you need a place to stay for the night in Gilgit, then staying at one of the hotels in Gilgit bazaar is a good choice.
The biggest risk at this tier is relying on old reviews to make bookings. Gilgit budget guesthouses change ownership and standards, and even close, without updating their listings. The safest option is to contact your operator to confirm your booking, or make your booking through them, if the listing has not been recently updated.
If you want to stay near the main market, transport stands and low cost accommodation, then this is the area for you. It is very convenient if you want to catch an early transport out of Gilgit and you don’t mind noisy transportation starting early in the morning. The main problem for many guests is that the area has narrow and congested roads. If you don’t mind these, the area is convenient for getting transport to other areas.
Jutial is up above the main part of Gilgit and is a bit cooler in the evenings. This is a better part of the city to get a good view of the mountains. This area also has better and more expensive accommodation. Getting to the Bazaar area from Jutial takes 15 to 20 minutes by foot or in a taxi. Families and people wanting better and more comfortable accommodation should consider staying in this area.
Along the road to the Gilgit airport, there are hotels, and more hotels. Most travelers use these hotels for an overnight stay when they have an early flight the next day or have just arrived and have a late flight out of Gilgit. These hotels are not located near the retail areas or the attractions of Gilgit. If a traveler uses one of these hotels as their base, it will require a long and unnecessary journey to and from the attraction sites of Gilgit.
There are things a traveler should check or ask before they book a hotel. One of those things is the reliability of the hot water system. Many hotels in Gilgit have solar or boiler hot water systems. Solar systems mean that on a very overcast day the water will not be hot. Boiler systems take time to heat, so hot water in the very early morning may not be available.
Travelers should also ask if the room rate includes breakfast, and what the breakfast will be. Many hotels in Gilgit will say "breakfast included" and mean that they will serve tea and/or bread. Other hotels may include a meal.
A traveler should ask if the generator will run all night. While load shedding in Gilgit is better than in other cities of Pakistan, it does occur, and a traveler should be prepared for it. If the generator does not run all night, and the room does not have air conditioning, the traveler will not be comfortable.
What is the policy if your arrival is delayed due to a Gilgit flight? If your flight cancels and you need to book an alternative flight, the hotel should not charge you to stay there.
When calling to make a reservation, make sure your operators confirms the hotel is operating. Sometimes Gilgit hotels close or change management without giving notice.
When making a reservation, make sure your room is specified by name or clear description. At a budget hotel in Gilgit, a “standard” room could mean a room with a view of the hills, or a room with no window and no natural light.
Some of the lowest rated hotels in Gilgit are aggregated by booking sites. These hotels may have the best prices, but the sites may have old information. Before booking based on price, make sure you check the recent information, including transport info.
Rooms located in the bazaar area are convenient, but the noise and congestion make it difficult to rest. Many travelers complain about the noise and bazaar activity when staying in these areas.
The team at HospitalityTours.com.pk books hotels in Gilgit as part of their tour packages and in the case of bookings to other cities, separately. They look into the properties that they wish to recommend and book rooms at the level they wish to recommend. They do not take hotel bookings through online platforms.
For corporate clients, the team takes block bookings at Gilgit Serena, and other mid-range properties in Jutial, and organizes other transport and logistical arrangements including bookings of conference halls and local guides.
For individual and family clients, the team books properties aligned to the itinerary. For example, a family doing Naltar as a day trip will not require the same booking as a person staying over and leaving for Hunza the next day. The team looks into the group size, the facilities required by the group, and the standard of the accommodation before making bookings.
What is the best hotel in Gilgit city?
Serena Gilgit Hotel is the best hotel in the city. It is part of the Serena Hotel chain. Other mid-range hotels in Jutial are also good.
Is Gilgit Family Friendly?
Kids and families are common in Gilgit. Kids love all the new sights, smells and tastes of Pakistan and have no issues adjusting to the local time zones and environments. You can find places to stay that are more family friendly, however, if you need two rooms, you will most likely need to request family friendly rooms, as the staff will most likely put two people in adjoining rooms in the same hall way.
As for the bazaar, Jutial has better and newer hotels. Jutial is also quieter, bigger and higher than the bazaar.
Are hotels in Gilgit Family Friendly?
Yes, each hotel has its own merits and draws, if you want to stay connected, or check emails, ask the staff for best 4G connection SIMs. There are a lot of misconceptions about SIMs and coverage, but the staff at your hotel will be the best and most current source of that information.
Rates are also negotiable.
Can foreign nationals stay in hotels in Gilgit?
Yes, Gilgit lies in the restricted area for foreign visitors and a regular Pakistan tourist visa allows travelers to stay in Gilgit hotels. However, it is suggested that foreign travelers book hotels through us as part of their complete travel package which includes transportation, sightseeing with a licensed guide and return trip from Islamabad to Gilgit.
When are hotels in Gilgit the busiest?
Hotels in Gilgit are the busiest during the month of July and August. The Gilgit Serena and mid-range hotels located in Jutial are fully booked during weekends and public holidays. It is also recommended that travelers looking to book these hotels during peak season use an local travel agent. These agents have priority access to these bookings.
The staff of HospitalityTours.com.pk requires your travel dates and the names and ages of travelers to create an itinerary. There is no obligation or charge until you approve the itinerary.
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