A Home in Hunza

Interiors!

Summer is the perfect time to pack your bags and go on a long vacation. After all, what’s better than going up north to spend a few days away from the hustle and bustle of the city life? Traveling to the mountains and spending time with Mother Nature is a great way to relax; it works wonders to improve mental health and is an amazing way to experience a digital detox for a few days - something that is much needed in today’s overwhelming lives.

Hunza is one of the most beautiful and scenic places in Pakistan and a trip there can help you reap all of the above mentioned benefits, but one is often discouraged by the lack of comfort at such scenic beautiful places.

Pakistan is still struggling to improve its tourism industry and hotels are not often up to the mark. However, luckily a couple of small accommodation spaces have sprouted in the city that offer comfortable accommodation to people who visit, encouraging more travellers to experience the scenic heaven. The ‘Hunza Embassy Villa Suites’ are one of the few cosy and stunning spaces that ensure your experience of a Hunzai Holiday is one you remember for years!

A small cottage with eight bedrooms, this villa is perfect for people who enjoy being in the heart of the town yet take pleasure in the serenity and peace Hunza has to offer. Muhammad Ali Saeed Khan, the mastermind behind this place tells this scribe that the idea behind opening it was to encourage more people to visit Hunza. The space is surrounded by fruit trees from all sides and is a 10-minute canal walk from the main Karimabad road with a direct view of the magnanimous Rakaposhi Mountains. One can actually hear birds chirping and bees buzzing - a quintessential Hunzai Holiday experience one can’t miss if they are visiting.

With stunning woodwork and beautiful carvings, the suites look like traditional British cottages in the heart of this beautiful valley. Ali mentioned that the decor is a true representation of local art and culture so people get the authentic experience of the place. “We understand that a part of travelling is about getting away from the routine but a major part of it is about experiencing new cultures, and we truly want to give visitors that experience. At the same time, the property is built on the parameters of the local houses so people who come don’t even feel like they are on a commercial property. We want guests to feel at home even while they are on vacation,” he adds.

He further says that the gigantic wooden doors with stunning carvings on them were installed to make a statement. “The huts and houses in Hunza have a lot of wood used in them. The weather conditions are such that the wood production here is very rich. With the availability of wood in abundance, people tend to use it on roofs and even walls, so it only made sense to rely on heavy woodwork if we wanted to give people an authentic experience of the hill station,” mentions Ali.

Interestingly, Ali went on to tell that the localites did all the craftsmanship at the suites. “This was a deliberate effort to showcase the true potential and the real talent of the people here. They are immensely talented but since they live here no one knows that,” he emphasises.

The bedrooms are chic and comfortable. “We have kept them minimalistic with statement furniture. The big windows are designed specifically to ensure visitors can get a view from the bedrooms too. After all, the valley is all about its sceneries and greenery,” says Ali while talking about the design philosophy behind the bedrooms.

The space is a retreat for artists, writers or just about anyone who wants to experience all things natural. The open veranda shows stunning views of the Hunza Valley and the stunning furniture placed there makes sure every guest enjoys their experience. The veranda’s roof is made of wood with ethnic lanterns hanging and wooden pillars on the sides giving a chance to make the most of their early morning breakfast or evening cup of tea. The veranda is surrounded by gorgeous greenery, which makes the experience even more pleasant.

The rooftop is rather simple but has seating space for the daring ones, who can bear the cold and want to experience the great view of the mountains. It is also the perfect place to enjoy traditional Pakistani food.

Last but not least, the ‘Hunza Embassy Valley Suites’ are surrounded by lush green gardens with seating furniture that’s ethnic, ensuring every guest can get their fair share of nature. Ali highlights that Hunza is all about the outdoors, the scenic views, the greenery and plantation and no visitor should be deprived of it. “This is precisely why we ensured enough open space surrounding the constructed area so our guests can truly enjoy their holiday,” he concludes.