Arriving at the Himalayan capital of Kathmandu is a cultural surprise. An explosion of colours, sounds and smells suddenly begin to envelop you. Even if you are arriving after a long tour in India, you cannot escape the pungent hospitality that strikes your emotions and blinds your mind. It is a fairyland we only dream about.
Dwarika’s Resort Dhulikhel is a luxury mountain retreat, set on a hillside village of Dhulikhel, about an hour's drive, east from Kathmandu in Nepal. The concept here is to maintain harmony between body, mind, spirit and earth, in order to enjoy a peaceful, healthy and balanced life. The resort has been built using natural materials; stone, wood, earth, and its interior spaces designed with natural fibres and colours, in the hope that guests staying here would enjoy a greater sense of peace.
The Gokarna Forest in Kathmandu was the former private Royal hunting grounds of the Kings of Nepal. Within this forest was a lodge used by the those accompanying the royal family members during their hunting trips. Over the years the forest has shrunk but the century old lodge still stands, now meticulously renovated into a modern and luxurious hotel. The hotel is still surrounded by ancient towering trees, and there is an 18-hole golf course, one of the best in the region.
Hotel Tibet International in the heart Kathmandu’s Buddhist district, is a blend of contemporary art and traditional Tibetan décor. It’s located within walking distance of a number of shrines and monasteries, including the Boudanath Stupa, a World Heritage site. Just a block or two away, we spent our mornings walking with the monks around the Stupa.
Hyatt Regency in Kathmandu is located about half an hour’s drive from the centre of town. Designed in keeping with the traditional Nepali style of Newari architecture, with its many courtyards, complete with stone carvings and huge timber pillars. A beautiful driveway leads up to a courtyard, through well-manicured and spacious, 37-acre gardens to a well decorated lobby.
Kasara is a luxury jungle resort, set on the outskirts of Chitwan National Park, in south-central Nepal. The property blends a lush natural setting with modern comforts in a jungle environment that is home to a wide variety of wildlife. In the 1960s, the lodges in the Chitwan Park were seen as visionaries, with many of their ideas taken to Africa and India, while it suffered from insurgency. But Chitwan has now risen to the challenge and new additions like Kasara are coming to life.
Nestled in the serene landscapes of Nepal, Lost Horizon Resort and Spa is a harmonious blend of contemporary design and traditional Nepalese architecture. The resort's structures seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings, boasting intricate woodwork and elegant stone accents that pay homage to the region's rich cultural heritage. With spacious and thoughtfully designed interiors, guests are treated to a sense of tranquility and luxury from the moment they arrive.
The Old Inn is a restored town-house, set in the charming village of Bandipur, off the main Kathmandu and Pokhara road. Once an important stop along the Indo-Tibet trade route, Bandipur still retains its old cultural charm, primarily because the tourist deluge went past it, to the nearby town of Pokhara. Still not very well known in the tourist market, it houses historic buildings, traffic free town square and nature trails with stunning views of the snow-capped high Himalayas.
The Radisson Hotel is one of the better 5-star hotels offerings in Kathmandu, a city which has surprisingly few very good hotels at the high end of the market. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, it is a short distance from Durbur Marg city centre and the historic trekker’s ghetto, Thamel. Although not exotic or sophisticated, it tries to maintain the Radisson standards.
The Seti River Camp is situated on the banks of the Seti River, between Pokhara and Chitwan National Park. Set in a grove of trees, this safari style accommodation provides a staging post for rafting expeditions for those who take a 2-day journey down to the lowland jungles of Nepal. Local villages are within walking distance but the only access to this remote and beautiful camp is by boat. The white-water rafting is fantastic which involves a gentle 3-hour float by inflatable raft.
