Stok Palace Heritage Hotel

Stok Palace was built in the 1820s and became the royal family's residence after the Dogra conquest of Ladakh. The family still lives here, and part of the palace is a museum displaying thangkas, royal ornaments, weapons and the queen's turquoise-studded perak headdress. A few rooms have been opened as a heritage hotel, decorated with old furniture and Ladakhi textiles. The setting is quiet and rural. Few hotels compare. Staying here is a rare privilege.

Staying here feels like being a guest in a large family home rather than a hotel. Rooms are modest in size, with traditional character more than modern luxury, and the views from the terraces over the Indus valley and Leh are wonderful. The hotel is seasonal, generally open in the summer months. Check current status before you travel. Book early for summer. We recommend it for two nights at most.