We stayed with the Akbar Group of Heritage Houseboats for only one night (towards the end of our stay at Srinagar), and we can only wish it had been longer! It is located on the Nigeen Lake, which is far less crowded than its counterpart about 7 kilometres apart, the Dal Lake. After driving over the Nigeen Lake area for the first couple of days (on our way to Hazratbal and Sonmarg), we found it to be somewhat desolate, and hence on the morning we were supposed to check in, we called up Adnan (who manages these houseboats), and asked if he could transfer us to some houseboat on the Dal Lake. He politely said he could not, but he could offer us a full refund if we wanted. After reaching the Shikara ghat on the Nigeen Lake, we knew that it turned out only to be much better than Dal Lake. It is serene and pristine. The boats are beautifully maintained and decorated. Immediately after reaching, we left for a Shikara ride. The ride was through what we found to be a village on the water. I have been to Venice but loved the rustic charm of this village on the water they have their vegetable fields, Quranic school, grocery and stationery stores, art and craft store all on water. Eventually the ride reaches the Dal Lake which we then found rather crowded. On our way back, we met Mr. Marvellous flower man, a florist who carries his entire flow culture on his boat, and sails and sells at the same time. The boat we stayed in had 3 rooms (each for 2-3 people), a kitchen, one dining room, one spacious living room but the best part was a cook at one end of the living room where you can sit and watch the lake. We enjoyed a nice home-cooked meal in the evening and a very filling breakfast in the morning after. They cook their food with locally grown produce, including their own poultry. All the staff, including Adnan (the owner and manager), Hilal (the cook and food server) and Gulam Muhammad (the shikara driver) are very congenial and would make you feel at home.