The Highlands Park hotel is one of the oldest and most charming places to stay in Gulmarg. The hotel’s claim to fame is that a number of Rishi Kapoor movies including Bobby were shot here. Remember the song, “Hum tum ek kamre main band ho”, that’s Highlands Park! Other famous people who have made Highlands Park their home include Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who used to book the entire hotel so she could relax and meditate.

The Highlands Park has a certain old world charm to it. Rooms are heated using traditional wood fired bukharis instead of a central heating system. Each cottage has a dedicated staff to look after guests living in the cottage.

Highlands Park remains one of my personal favourites as I have frequented the restaurant and lounge ever so often during lunch time while skiing on the Highlands Park slope. The restaurant serves Indian, Mughlai, Continental and Kashmiri cuisines. The hotel’s lounge is one of the cosiest places in Gulmarg to have a drink or enjoy an evening with friends. Additionally, the views from the hotels are unparalleled. If you are looking for a luxury stay with a lot of character, Highlands Park is the place to go to.