'Our Guests Are Offered Traditional Ladakhi Cuisine And Local Produce'

Perched at 11,562 ft in the breathtaking landscapes of Ladakh, The Grand Dragon Ladakh is a luxurious gateway to the region’s rich culture and natural beauty. In this conversation, Danish Din, the Director, shares insights into how the hotel seamlessly weaves traditional Ladakhi design with modern comforts. He delves into the challenges of maintaining 5-star luxury at high altitudes, the eco-conscious practices reducing their carbon footprint, and the culinary journey rooted in local flavours. From wellness at the Hammam Wellness & Spa by L’OCCITANE to curated cultural excursions, discover how The Grand Dragon Ladakh redefines hospitality in the “Roof of the World.”The Grand Dragon Ladakh seamlessly blends traditional Ladakhi design with modern luxury. How does that enhance the guest experience and connect them with the local heritage?Our hotel’s architecture incorporates the famous Rabsal tradition of Ladakh, visible in the window treatments and balconies. An imposing entrance in intricately carved wood—ubiquitous in Ladakhi palaces and mansions—welcomes guests to the portals of the hotel. The property is resplendent with hand-carved, colourful, traditional Ladakhi frescos. In addition to these aspects, there are paintings by my uncle Ghulam Mustafa, the first contemporary artist of Ladakh and promoter of the hotel. They reflect his deep feelings for Ladakh—the emotions of people and the fragrance of the land—and adorn the walls of the property, creating a sense of timeless beauty and narrative of local culture, people of different tribes, imposing mountains, traditional buildings, majestic palaces, stupas and homes of Ladakh. All rooms have Ladakhi elements, be it the artefacts, decor or traditional ceilings, and are equipped with all modern comforts and conveniences. This harmonious blend of local cultural elements and modernity creates a lively and inviting ambience, complemented by stunning views of the trans-Himalayan range and Leh.Being the first government-certified 5-star property in Ladakh, what unique challenges and opportunities have you faced in maintaining this standard of luxury at such a high altitude and remote location?The Grand Dragon Ladakh, one of the first luxury hotels in Ladakh, is owned and operated by my family, the Abdus, who hail from Leh and have more than 50 years of experience welcoming visitors to the beautiful region. Despite its remote location, high altitude, and inaccessibility, it was the first to offer facilities and services that were on par with international standards. It is credited as the pioneer in the hospitality sector in Ladakh. We engaged local artisans, craftsmen, and building specialists during the construction. In keeping with regional climatic conditions, the hotel is built in alignment with the sun, typical of Ladakhi architecture, which follows passive solar design principles to get maximum sunlight throughout the day to conserve energy. Locally sourced materials, like stone, timber and mud, have been abundantly used in the foundation, walls, and other structural elements that ensure that the structure can withstand harsh weather conditions as well as any seismic activity while ensuring environmental sustainability.How do you incorporate local ingredients and cooking techniques into your menus while maintaining a high standard of dining?Our guests are offered traditional Ladakhi cuisine and local produce as part of our F&B services. Although sourcing is a challenge, especially during winter when the main routes shut down, and we have to airlift supplies, we’ve been able to deal with it by working with the best suppliers and vendors from across India. We also support the local economy by buying from suppliers from the Ladakh region. For instance, our breakfast buffet includes local yak cheese, fresh and dry apricots and apricot juice, sea buckthorn, fresh apples and apple juice, sea buckthorn conserves, and local Ladakhi bread, butter and butter tea. We offer a curated Ladakhi meal in a special setting at Tusrabs, the private dining room. Traditional Ladakhi cuisine is deeply influenced by Tibet and central Asia and focuses primarily on hot brews, soups and a variety of breads. This sustainably sourced meal includes locally grown ingredients—barley wheat, millet, green vegetables, black peas, and Changthang goat meat, among others.The newly opened Hammam Wellness & Spa by L’OCCITANE combines Mediterranean and Himalayan therapies. Can you elaborate on how these treatments are tailored to benefit guests?The recently opened Hammam Wellness & Spa by L’OCCITANE offers a repertoire of exclusive signature treatments specially crafted with homegrown, seasonal flora from Ladakh in the Himalayas, combined with original L'OCCITANE products. The spa is a fusion of Himalayan, Tibetan and Mediterranean well-being, with massages, relaxing music and herbal teas inspired by Provencal, Himalayan and Tibetan traditions. It presents a range of rejuvenating aroma therapies, concentrated deep massages, nourishing body scrubs and area-focussed treatments for complete well-being. The spa fills the gap in the wellness space in this remote region.Could you provide details of the eco-friendly practices you have implemented?To foster sustainable tourism in the vast and unspoilt beauty of Ladakh, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint. We have constructed the hotel in the traditional Ladakhi style while conforming to Green Architectural standards by using state-of-the-art techniques. To reduce single-use plastic, we have a specialised water filtration plant within the hotel that provides artisanal water in glass bottles placed in all guest rooms and restaurants. This has been in practice since 2019 and has already resulted in a reduction in usage of over two million plastic water bottles to date. We also use bamboo amenities and biodegradable consumables in guest rooms, restaurant takeaway and food packaging.How does The Grand Dragon facilitate excursions and cultural experiences to ensure guests have an enriching experience?Today, Ladakh is a destination for all seasons and perfect for slow travel. Known as the “Roof of the World'' with some of the world’s highest motorable roads, it offers numerous itineraries for sightseeing to Nubra Valley, Lamayuru, the Pangong and Tsomoriri lakes, and ancient monasteries such as Alchi, Thiksey, and Hemis. Picnics by the Indus or Zanskar rivers or witnessing traditional music and masked dances during popular festivals like Losar are coveted, too. At the same time, the dark sky reserve of Hanle is a stargazer’s paradise.The team at The Grand Dragon Ladakh is well equipped and experienced to arrange curated itineraries, from three nights in Leh to more elaborate itineraries across Ladakh that can extend to 10 nights, which could include treks, road trips and wildlife safaris. For those who love shopping, the local markets within walking distance from the hotel have an exquisite collection of coral jewellery, metal and woodwork, colourful masks and charming Tibetan bric-a-brac. For those looking for an immersive cultural experience, we also arrange for Ladakhi cultural shows, calligraphy sessions, interaction with the Changthang nomads (shepherds of the famed Pashmina goat), local designers and artists, metal craftsmen at Chilling Metal Works, a tryst with the Oracle and more.

'Our Guests Are Offered Traditional Ladakhi Cuisine And Local Produce'

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