'At Rah Bagh, Beauty Lies In The Details'
Nestled amidst apple orchards with breathtaking views of the Zabarwan mountains, Rah Bagh is a sanctuary of serenity in the heart of Kashmir. In this conversation, Managing Director Nazir Rah shares the vision behind this boutique retreat—where Alpine-style chalets and garden cottages offer an immersive nature escape. From its thoughtful design infused with Kashmiri craftsmanship to its rich culinary offerings at Wan Posh and Café Sky, every detail reflects the region’s heritage. With curated experiences, from shikara rides to indulgent spa treatments, Rah Bagh invites travellers to embrace Kashmir’s beauty while enjoying warm hospitality and sustainable luxury.
Rah Bagh is beautifully nestled amidst apple orchards and offers captivating views of the Zabarwan mountains. What was the vision behind choosing this location, and how does the natural setting enhance the guest experience?
Situating Rah Bagh against the mighty Himalayas, in the lap of nature amidst an apple orchard, captured the beauty of the Kashmir valley in its entirety. We built this luxury boutique resort with 41 rooms in Alpine chalet style units and cottages set over four acres of sprawling gardens, with picturesque views of the Dal and Nageen lakes, framed by towering poplars and the Zabarwan mountains as the backdrop.
When my wife and I started this project, we could have built a hotel with 100 plus rooms, but we deliberately decided to venture into a boutique offering with quality of experience in mind. The idea was to offer people visiting Kashmir a real opportunity to be closer to nature. It was built as a getaway destination for the urban traveller who is not looking for big malls and swanky buildings but just the company of nature.
Could you share some insights into the design philosophy and how it reflects Kashmir’s cultural heritage?
At Rah Bagh, beauty lies in the details. We used local embellishments from Kashmir as well as across India. We felt that native cedar, timber, and parquet flooring make way for warm and harmonious contemporary spaces. Plus, for those who are looking at a luxurious escape with spectacular vistas of the Dal and Nageen lakes in sight at all times, the Royal Attic Suite on the top floor of the chalet is the perfect fit. These chalet-style units have a 12 ft ceiling and wall-to-wall window, a spacious master bedroom, a separate living area, and expansive balconies that open up to views of the constantly changing landscape of the city and the lakes.
The recently introduced Garden and Mountain View Cottages offer a more private setting. Clad in pinewood with sloping roofs, they exude a rustic charm. Elegantly appointed in warm hues and comfortable furniture to lounge in, each cottage comes with a king-size bed and an en-suite large bath with a Jacuzzi. The private sit-out area allows guests to enjoy the vibrant hues of the rose garden, the delightful presence of apple trees, a captivating view of a cascading waterfall and the majestic Zabarwan mountain range.
For those seeking solace, there are enough cosy corners across the property to curl up and read a book, especially under the fruit trees. One can also simply take a stroll in the gardens and sip on a hot cup of cappuccino or the aromatic local brew, kahwah, infused with saffron and cardamom. For fitness enthusiasts, there is the gym, but there’s nature’s beauty too, like a bike ride or a hike to explore the surrounding mountains.
Today’s guests are also environmentally conscious and for us at Rah Bagh, sustainability is a priority. Apart from being environmentally responsible, with rainwater harvesting, recycling, and reusing water within the property gardens and orchards, we have also ensured sustainable employment for locals. Added to this is our no-plastic bottle initiative, where rooms and restaurants are provided with aqua-filtered water in glass bottles.
How does Rah Bagh create a memorable and romantic experience for couples looking for a serene retreat?
Our Royal attic suites and Garden cottages are ideal for honeymooners and those looking to rekindle their romance or spend quality time with loved ones. These sprawling and beautifully appointed suites are perfect for just soaking in the peace amid nature. On request, our team decorates the room with flowers and balloons for a special occasion to create a romantic ambience with rose petals and candlelight in the bathroom fitted with a Jacuzzi. In the morning, a full-service breakfast in bed, on the balcony, or in the sit-out area in the garden is the crowning glory. Other romantic experiences at Rah Bagh include a picnic in the orchard, a cosy setting around a bonfire under a starlit sky, or a soak in the hot tub by the poolside.
What inspired the culinary offerings at Rah Bagh, and what should guests not miss during their stay?
Guests at Rah Bagh can savour meals and beverages from around the world and also indulge in local Kashmiri flavours through a selection of dining options. Café Sky, the terrace deck restaurant, is an ideal place to catch the sunrise and have an indulgent breakfast or a high tea or sample the freshly grilled food directly from a live grill. Wan Posh, the all-day restaurant with a live kitchen and a wood-fired oven, offers sumptuous buffets, a la carte fare from across India and the world, and dishes from the Kashmiri Wazwan.
Served at Wan Posh, muji gaadh is a Rah family recipe recreated by the Waza (Kashmiri Chef) at Rah Bagh. Guests can savour this unique delicacy on request. Muji gaadh is a traditional Kashmiri preparation of spicy and tangy trout or carp fish with muji (white radish), nadru (lotus stems) and haaq sag (collard greens). It’s a popular dish made during the winter and often served at special occasions and festivals such as Nowruz. It is rarely available in restaurants.
We have a sustainable kitchen at Wan Posh, and much of the local produce served at the restaurant is sourced from our kitchen garden. If you order any local dish, be it haaq sag or tamatar chaman, you’ll find that the collard greens, tomatoes and kohlrabi have been freshly plucked from the garden to make up the delicious dishes, often part of the elaborate Kashmiri Wazwan or wedding feast. In addition, the chef also uses brinjal, broccoli, cauliflower, spring onions, garlic, and coriander from the garden in other preparations such as tandoori platters, stir fry vegetables, as a base for curries or as garnish.
How does the resort help guests immerse themselves in the surrounding natural and cultural attractions?
Rah Bagh is a unique way to experience Srinagar and Kashmir, one of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Well-known tourist spots such as Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Pampore are just a few hours' drive away. A must-visit for nature and wildlife enthusiasts is the Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary, just a 10-minute drive from the resort. Golfing enthusiasts can tee off at The Royal Springs Golf Course, just 20 minutes from Rah Bagh. A visit to the city centre in Srinagar and beyond unfolds with curated excursions to its many exotic attractions. Just a few kilometres from Rah Bagh are the famed Mughal gardens—Nishat and Shalimar. Moreover, there’s no need to go into town for a ride in the shikara; several jetties on the same stretch can be used to hire a shikara and explore the lakes. If architecture and culture are your passions, the staff can arrange for a heritage walk in the old city.
Could you tell us about the wellness offerings and what makes the spa experience at Rah Bagh special for your guests?
While there may be reasons enough to tempt a traveller to make their way to Rah Bagh, the list of offerings isn’t complete without mentioning our pool and spa. For a relaxing and wholesome experience, we offer an open-air pool (open during summer) and a hot tub available throughout the year to chase away the blues. Also by the pool is the Urban Nirvana Spa, open during the summer months, offering a tranquil retreat to indulge in various modern and traditional relaxation treatments.
