Hotels, guesthouses &
tea-houses
From the shabby dormitories
inherited from the hippie wave to the venerable palaces bequeathed by the Rana
regime, the choice of Nepalese accommodation is particularly wide, especially
in Kathmandu, where the major international chain hotels sit alongside a myriad
of very affordable establishments. Most of the luxury hotels are clustered in
the Lazimpat district, and at the northern end of Durbar Marg. Farther west,
the Thamel district first supplanted the old hippie hideout on Freak Street,
just south of Durbar Square, to become the backpacker's favorite spot. Today's
Thamel has become gentrified: although it is still possible to find dormitories
at unbeatable prices, mid-range establishments are proliferating throughout the
neighborhood - as are good restaurants.
The majority of hotels in
Kathmandu, including the least expensive, offer free wifi access to their
customers, and in most, the hot water runs 24 hours a day. In contrast, in
those powered by solar energy, morning warm showers are not legion. Power
outages are part of the daily life of Nepalese people.
Almost all accommodations have
backup power, and in the most upscale establishments, you will not even notice
that a generator has taken over. In the more modest guesthouses, which use
backup batteries instead, you will not be in the dark but fans and outlets will
stop working.
Several luxury hotels are
located in the Kathmandu Valley; on the cornice, lookouts like Dhulikhel or
Nagarkot concentrate a myriad of mid-range establishments, which target both
foreigners and tourists from Nepal. In recent years, a growing number of Newari
buildings - particularly in Patan and Bhaktapur - have been converted into
superb guesthouses. You will not find all the comfort of the big hotels, but
will live a more authentic experience.
Outside the Kathmandu Valley,
Pokhara offers the richest variety of accommodation. Most other mid-sized
cities in the Terai and Middle Hills have a handful of mid-range options -
clean rooms and hot water. On the edge of national parks, economy-priced safari
lodges sit alongside sumptuous resorts and other high-class camps. While the
large luxury resorts of Chitwan National Park are currently closed pending a
Supreme Court decision, there are many other comfortable addresses on the edge
of the park. In Bardia you will find a smaller selection of luxury camps and
cheaper lodges.
Reservations & Rates
On the Internet, it is easy to
book accommodation when you are already there - either via a generalist website
or directly from the institution. Many resorts located in remote areas,
including in the vicinity of national parks, have an agency in Kathmandu, which
is much easier to contact if needed. The vast majority of hotels add a tax of
13% to the bill, and possibly 10% for the service. In high season, most
establishments are quickly refueling. But during the slacker periods,
significant discounts will be of interest to small budgets - it's up to you!
Trekking accommodation
In the mountains, it is the
reign of the inevitable " tea-house ", a typical Nepalese
institution. Originally, these simple village houses offered trekkers a place
to sleep on the floor. Today, on big treks like the Annapurna circuit, you will
be surprised by the level of comfort proposed, which often includes modern bathrooms
and cozy beds. Along wilder tracks, however, do not expect better than
dormitories and icy showers. In general, it is impossible to make a reservation
in a tea-house . And if you venture further afield off the beaten path, you'll
have to bring camping gear, or stay in smoky, ultra-rudimentary tea houses ,
more often frequented by yak leaders than by trekkers. foreigners.
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