Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kathmandu Guest House
HOTEL
luxe US$120-180; )
The KGH is an institution. A former Rana palace, it was the first hotel to open in Thamel
and still serves as the central landmark. Everyone from Jeremy Irons to Ricky Martin has
stayed here. In strictly dollar terms you can get better rooms elsewhere, but most people
enjoy the atmosphere here and it's often booked out weeks in advance.
Kantipur Temple House
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
(
MAP
4250131;
www.kantipurtemplehouse.com
; s/d US$70/80, deluxe US$110/
140)
Hidden down an alley on the edge of the old town, at the southern end of Jyatha, this
Newari-temple-style hotel has been built with meticulous attention to detail. The spacious
rooms are tastefully decorated, with traditional carved wood, window seats and specially
commissioned fair-trade dhaka (hand-woven) cloth bedspreads. Due to the traditional
nature of the building, rooms tend to be a little dark. This place is doing its best to be eco-
friendly - guests are given cloth bags to use when shopping and bulk mineral water is
available free of charge in bronze pitchers (in fact, there's no plastic anywhere in the
hotel). The new block encircles a traditional brick courtyard and there's garden and
rooftop seating. The old-town location is close to almost anywhere in town, but taxi
drivers might have a hard time finding it.
