Hotel Highlands Park
Gulmarg

Host to presidents and Prime Ministers yet remarkably laid-back and sweet, Highlands Park has been run by the Nedou family, now in its third generation, since it was established in 1966. Our senior sales consultant and ski fanatic Mark Wright stayed here on his Kashmir heli-skiing holiday and thought it was a fantastic base. It is perfectly located within the village of Gulmarg, a 1-minute ski from the slopes or a 10 minute walk to the bottom of the gondola, which is the world's second highest operating cable car and Asia's highest and longest. Despite its central location it still feels wonderfully secluded, set right at the edge of the pine forest. During ski season each room has its own butler who stokes your fire, refreshes and cleans, and even brings you tea in bed. The hotel has a cosy restaurant with a sunken fireplace in the middle which is a perfect spot for an après-ski hot chocolate or tea, and there is also a disco and lounge. The summer season is from the 15th of May to the 15th of October, when the mountains receive the first winter snows. The winter season officially starts from mid-December when the serious snowfall arrives; skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed until the end of March.

My favourite thing is to go where I've never been.
Diane Arbus