Many tourists are attracted to Srinagar by the charm of staying on a houseboat, which provides the unique experience of living on the water in a cedar-panelled elegant bedroom, with all the conveniences of a luxury hotel. Srinagar's thousand or so houseboats are moored along sections of the Dal and Nagin Lakes and river Jhelum, each decorated fancifully and named romantically and even whimsically. Like hotels, houseboats vary in degree of luxury and have been accordingly graded by the Department of Tourism. A luxury houseboat, like a luxury hotel has fine furniture, good carpets and modern bathroom fittings, while the ‘D category’ (the lowest category) of houseboats, like low-budget hotels, is spartanly furnished. Like hotels too, houseboats vary widely in their locations. Some overlook the main road, others look out onto lotus gardens and yet others face tiny local markets and villages, all right in the middle of the lake! All houseboats, regardless of category, have highly personalized service. Not only is there always a "houseboy" for every boat, but the owner and his family are never far away. The cost per day of hiring a houseboat includes all meals and free rides from the houseboat to the nearest jetty and back, as no houseboat on the lakes is directly accessible from the banks.

Every standard houseboat provides a balcony in the front, a lounge, dining room, pantry and 3 or more bedrooms with attached bathrooms. All houseboats not moored to the bank of the river or lakes provide a shikara as a free service from the houseboat to the nearest ghat (jetty). Virtually every houseboat in Srinagar has been provided with a municipal water connection.

The brief particulars of some of the reputed group of houseboats are as under:-

Zaffer Group of Houseboats

Zaffer Group of deluxe Houseboats accommodate every venture from honeymoons to family reunions. And onboard a houseboat, there is every comfort a romantic couple might want.

Conveniences that allow time for each other and, most especially, a privacy that stretches for miles and miles! The houseboats are grand with hand - carved furniture and rich Kashmiri carpets. A houseboat boy is always on call and three meals are served daily from a menu of western, Kashmiri or Indian cuisine.

Golden Lotus group of Houseboats

When we think of Kashmir, the first thing that comes to our Mind is "Houseboats". Staying on a Houseboat means like living in Paradise, an experience one is not likely to find anywhere else on the surface of the earth. "Golden Lotus Group" has luxurious houseboats each beautifully furnished with 2 to 3 bedrooms (attached bathrooms having modern amenities) a sitting room, a dinning room and a front lake view balcony. The Houseboats are moored on the most charming sites on Nageen Lake

Signet Group Houseboats

Signet group of deluxe houseboats is another home away from home. The luxurious houseboats are always ready to provide hospitality to the visitors. With its well decorated and furnished rooms, luxurious and comfortable drawing/sitting room, personalised service round the clock and kashmiri/western food - it is home away from home.