New Peony Houseboat

I went to kashmir on honeymoon almost 3 years back in March, 2014 when New Peony wasn't in TripAdvisor. I came to know about it through some good points on New Peony mentioned in a review for another houseboat. After going through reviews on lots of other houseboats, most of which were too commercialised or overpriced, I finally decided, hesitantly though, to go with New Peony, particularly because it was located in secluded Nigeen lake close to land opposite Nigeen club(so could avoid the hassle of waiting for shikara everytime to go to and come back from land) and for the lowest price of ₹12000 per couple it offered for the entire kashmir tour of 3 nights that included stay, 2 meals daily, private SUV car and full sightseeing. And I must say, I am glad that I took that decision. To start with, booking was hassle free through some mails and phone calls with Mr. Riyaz. Run by a simple family, the houseboat itself was a home away from home. During our stay, they treated us as family and we never felt we were away from home for the hospitality they provided. Special mention for the caretaker, Manzoor, who made sure to take care of all our demands, and the driver uncle who was a very efficient guide and a very helpful person who even carried our luggage for security check in as we got late for departure. No words would suffice our satisfaction with the entire experience in the houseboat. Perfect location, picturesque view of sunrise and snow clad mountain all around, rich flora and fauna with very unique species of birds, warmth and comfort of the rooms, huge jacuzzi in washroom, royally arranged breakfast in the balcony, most delicious homely food of our choice prepared with utmost care for breakfast and dinner, arranging shikara ride at minimal cost (believe me, we had shikara ride till 8:30pm in an evening), providing local tea, kauwa on demand, arranging all trips perfectly, everything about the houseboat was just amazing. My wife caught cold on third day, and Manzoor bhai immediately, on our request, shifted us from 3-rooms houseboat to the single room houseboat that had heater in bedroom itself at no extra cost. The father of the owner of the houseboat, a sweet elderly Chacha, always chased away the hawkers who came to sell goods at overtly high price.. Thank you, entire New Peony family to make our honeymoon beautiful and memorable. It's people like you who make Kashmir feel more like a paradise. Thank you TripAdvisor for adding New Peony in your website. I remember I had written a review in the Nigeen Lake forum on New Peony just after the trip, but that was rejected and not published. I am glad that I can now express my pleasure for being in New Peony once.