The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir

A Luxury Balcony Room at the Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa. Website

Why it's on my list: Call it love at first sight. The moment my eyes met a photograph of this resort in a recent issue of a popular travel magazine, my heart skipped a beat. Imagine not falling for a picture of a large, wall-sized glass window providing ooh-worthy views of huge pine trees with dense snow all around. To top that, the window was reflected in what was the indoor swimming pool, doubling the size of the view as well as the stun factor. 

The room shots didn't suggest anywhere that the rooms provided the same stunning vistas. However, I was still attracted, thanks to the beautiful, luxurious Kashmiri-looking decor. Kashmir also comes alive in the lobby, and I was particularly intrigued by the subtle lighting and the bauble-like hanging lamps.

Browsing more photos online--given I was madly in love by then--I found that even the rooms (yes, the rooms), balconies, bathrooms, restaurants and the spa aren't immune to the splendid views I had fallen for. It's as if no important part of the hotel is 'view-less'. Exterior shots revealed snowy slopes all around the property, and I wondered if you could ski down them too.

The resort on a winter dawn. Website

Best time to go: It has to be in the winter: there's the skiing to do in Gulmarg and those to-die-for views to catch. Besides, I think I'd rather reserve it for a romantic escapade--with a human love interest, of course. In fact, because of Khyber, Kashmir's proving to be a serious threat to all my international honeymoon shortlists. Now, that's the power of love.