Just got back from a two night trip into Leh staying at the Grand Dragon. Of course January in Leh is off season for most tourists, but I was up as part of a group to play some Ice Hockey games against the local teams. The hotel itself is located about a 15 minute walk from the main centre of Leh which is easy enough to do, especially on the way back as it is downhill. Upon attending to the hotel we were greeted to a typical Leh greeting and a spacious well appointed lounge area and reception. The rooms themselves were fairly basic, but our room on the third floor had a stunning view of the surrounding mountains which was basically postcard worthy. The radiant heater did what it could during the cold winter night to keep up toasty but at times the room was a bit chilly. During the day, there was no need for heat as the sun filled the room with light and warmth. The bathroom had a nice shower although after a few minutes the water became a bit less warm.

The restaurant served a hearty breakfast and a very nice buffet lunch which was mostly local delicacies, but was without a doubt very tasty. Very few of our group didn't get up for second servings. The staff catered to our needs and were very polite and friendly. We had the opportunity to have a banquet in their facility which was nicely catered in a well laid out open room. The have a well stocked gift shop with prices relatively competitive with those you could find in town. During the winter the number of shops that were open catering to tourists was a bit smaller than you would find during the summer months, but the people were bar none very friendly.

Anyone who has the opportunity to visit during the winter and is not afraid of a bit of cold should make the trip up as it is well worth it to see the natural beauty under a cover of snow. If you want a comfortable place to stay, the Grand Dragon should be near the top of you list of choices.