Possibly the best place to lay your hat in Srinagar isn’t a hotel but a houseboat on the Dal, or adjoining Nageen Lake. Houseboats come in various categories ranging from ‘Deluxe,’ to category ‘D,’ and can cost as much if not more than any luxury hotel in town. Conditions of individual houseboats can vary as can location – it’s never a good idea to book one before you’ve actually seen what you’re paying for. A smart thing to do is to check into a hotel for your first day and scout about looking for a good deal.