Miscellaneous Tips, Kalam, Pakistan - Reviews and Hotel Information

My family and I were very pleased with the facilities and services provided. The rooms were well furnished, toilets were clean, warm running water was available round the clock, food was excellent, lawns were well kept, and there was even a backup power generator.

To top it all, the staff was extremely courteous and efficient and catered to even the smallest of needs with a smile. To give just one example, bad road conditions after Mingora onwards to Kalam delayed our arrival till after midnight on check-in day. Despite the late hour, the staff was up, waiting for us and even though the kitchen closes at 10:30 pm, we were served with a delicious, hot meal.

The motel is definitely more expensive than others in the area. However, I think it is well worth it. Therefore, I highly recommend it to all, especially families with children.

PTDC Kalam offers the following types of accommodation:

** Standard Single: PKR 1900
** Standard Double: PKR 2300
** Deluxe Single: PKR 2300
** Deluxe Double: PKR 2900
** Hut Single: PKR 3200
** Hut Double: PKR 3650

Prices are as of June 2007 and are inclusive of taxes (in fact, there are no taxes charged in Swat Valley). Breakfast is not included. Assume 1 USD ~ PKR 60. The motel only accepts cash. However, you can also make a reservation by visiting PTDC Tourist Information Centre in Islamabad (Tel: +92 (0)51 111555999; Email: info@tourism.gov.pk). They accept both cash and, I was told, major credit cards.

Other things worth mentioning:

** Ideal distance from the main road and bazaar: far enough to be peaceful and close enough to walk down to the bazaar after dinner for a cup of green tea!

** Laundry and ironing facility available.

** Phone and internet facility available in reception area. However, the internet is over dialup and therefore very slow. Also, the local telecom service provider's exchange often goes down if there is a power outage. At the time of writing (June 2007), there is no mobile phone coverage in Kalam.

** Television available in rooms (I know about the huts and deluxe rooms, not sure about the standard ones). There is a limited selection of Pakistani and Indian channels available.

** Great food! The motel arranged a BBQ for us one night and I can honestly say it was one of the best tasting BBQs I have ever had. The next night, they cooked Biryani (a traditional Pakistani/Indian spicy dish made of rice and meat or chicken) and fried trout fish (a Swat/Kalam specialty). Again, yum!

** Free accommodation and food for the driver.

Miscellaneous Tips, Kalam

Kalam Hotels