I stayed at the Shalimar Hotel Apr 4-20 2005 and I couldnt have been happier about my stay there.

The rack rate is about $100 a night there but I stayed for about $50 a night which was a good deal for that hotel.

This was my first trip to Pakistan and I only knew a few people there before I arrived. They were more helpful than I could have hoped. From the shift managers to the doorman, everyone was more than pleasant and as helpful as they possibly could be.

The rooms are honestly not the nicest that you will ever stay in but are comfortable and clean with a very receptive staff.

The Beds and blankets were very nice and new. The TV was not new but worked well with a good selection of Paki and American channels.

The furniture hasnt seen the attention to detail that would make it look like a luxuious hotel but if you are not going to sit in the room and critique it, should be fine.

There is a comp buffet breakfast every morning from 7:30 to 10:00 am with a good selection of breakfast foods.

The pool was not open at that time and looked as though it might not be for some time.

The lobby and the lounge were both comfortable and attractive.

This was a different sort of stay for me as I was looking to meet Pakis, to learn about the culture and to see how the common people live there. I would often meet people from all backgrounds from the city and the hotel staff was very protective of me with the people that would call or stop in to see me.

Aside from being very patient with my near constant requests for botttled water and taking my many phone messages, the shift managers would "interview" my visitors for my safety. I wouldnt expect that from just any hotel or just any group of caring people.

The Peal Continental is right across the street from the Shalimar but if you are looking to do some kind of business in Pindi/ Isb and arent looking for gold plated toilets and the like, I'd suggest staying at the Shalimar for about half the price.

I hope to go again this fall, it's a great place to stay...and wonderful people there.