Cultural journey through northern Pakistan

Tucked away in a leafy district of Lahore, The FRED is a state-of-the-art boutique hotel that has electrified the city’s hospitality scene. Its red-brick façade opens into interiors of terrazzo, rosewood and brass, punctuated by an extensive art collection that gives the space a curated, lived-in elegance. Its 24 rooms feature everything from high-threadcount beds to advanced sleep systems. Food here is central, paying homage to Lahore’s rich culinary traditions. For travellers who value design, thoughtful comfort and a sense of place, The FRED offers a distinctly contemporary way of experiencing Lahore.

An urban bolthole situated on a quiet, tree-lined street in bustling Islamabad, The Townhouse is an elegantly understated boutique hotel that is by some way the Pakistani capital’s smartest address. Inside, the space feels modern and personal, with curated artwork, books on design and travel, and soft linen sofas that invite unhurried conversation. Morning light filters through tall windows onto polished wood floors, while the scent of jasmine drifts in from a private courtyard. It’s a place to linger over slow breakfasts of fresh fruit and paratha on the terrace, or to unwind after exploring the trails above Daman-e-Koh.

Set amongst the dramatic landscapes of Baltistan, Serena Shigar Fort is a sensitively restored seventeenth-century palace where you feel like you have stepped back in time. Morning light slips across the stone courtyards, apricot trees sway lightly in the wind and the sound of flowing water echoes through shaded walkways. Inside, the rooms carry a refined simplicity: natural textures, subtle accents, and wide views that frame the Karakoram in its full grandeur. Linger over Balti dishes prepared with age-old techniques, and breathe in the rare calm that defines this remote kingdom of rock and sky.

Perched above the legendary Hunza Valley in Karimabad, the Hunza Serena feels like a gateway to slow rhythms of mountain life. Built in the style of a traditional Hunza residence, there is just enough modern polish to ensure comfort without losing authenticity. From the terrace, the view is almost surreal: snow-dusted peaks rise above fruit orchards, while the Hunza River glints far below. Evenings unfold around the bonfire with folk music played by local musicians, while the restaurant serves regional specialities such as apricot-glazed trout and oven-fresh flatbreads, paired with stories of the region’s ancient Silk Road heritage.

Well positioned for exploring the bazaars and historic sites of Gilgit, yet away from its bustle, the Gilgit Serena Hotel makes an inviting and peaceful pause between journeys to Hunza or Skardu. The hotel is set among orchards and lawns that sweep down onto the Gilgit River, and its comfortable rooms offer views of the soaring peaks of the Karakoram. The staff, warm and attentive without being intrusive, add to the sense that this is not only an excellent basecamp for exploration, but also a retreat in its own right.