Grand Dragon Hotel
Situated in the heart of the ancient city of Leh, the 5-star Grand Dragon was among the first luxury hotels to come to Ladakh. Owned and operated by the local Abdu family, who have more than 40 years of experience welcoming visitors to the region, the property’s decor features original paintings by Gulam Mustafa, Ladakh’s first modern artist, and details that evoke the royal influences of this former kingdom. Rooms reflect Ladakhi culture, with elegant teak furnishings and rick textiles. State-of-the-art amenities include electronic key cards, LED Satellite TV, electronic safes and spacious marble bathrooms with walk-in showers. Rooms have large pictures windows showcasing expansive views of the snowcapped Stok Kangri Mountains, or Khardung La Pass, Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa. The hotel is centrally heated and solar-powered, ensuring comfort and eco-friendly energy sourcing. The hotel restaurant serves Ladakhi, Tibetan, Chinese and Continental dishes, and light refreshments are available at the 24-hour coffee shop, which offers dramatic mountain views through a wall of windows leading onto the al fresco terrace.