Best hotels in Nepal

Mustang was closed to outsiders for centuries, and even now, reaching its wind-sculpted valleys feels like arriving somewhere the modern world has forgotten all about. Seated just above the frontier town of Jomsom, between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, Shinta Mani Mustang is the first proper luxury lodge in this corner of Nepal – and it was well worth the wait. Designer Bill Bensley has worked his magic on the hillside stone building, filling it with upcycled antiques, yak fur stools and tiger-motif rugs that somehow feel completely at home, even at 2,800 metres high in the sky. Stay more than five nights and it's all included: guided excursions, wellness treatments with an 11th-generation Tibetan medicine doctor, themed dinners and drinks – your Adventure Butler will take care of the lot!

Perched a thousand feet above Pokhara Valley, Tiger Mountain delivers views that make you temporarily forget your own name. Three 8,000-metre peaks – Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu – dominate the horizon, while the sacred Fishtail mountain peeks through the morning mist. This isn't your typical mountain lodge however, but a stone village dreamt up by Harvard architects and blessed by Sir Edmund himself back in '98. The staff, most who have been here since day one, know every butterfly by name (there are 275!) and can spot a Himalayan griffon before you've finished your cup of tea. It's the perfect spot for pre-trek acclimatisation or simply hiding away from the world with a good book and even better views.

Your home away from home in Nepal comes in the guise of Nepali Ghar, a characterful boutique hotel. Tucked into bustling Thamel, it's blissfully quiet once you step inside and has become a beloved sanctuary for trekkers seeking comfort before and after Himalayan adventures. But what makes it truly special is the journey through Nepal's architectural history, the original building showcasing exquisite Newari woodwork, while the newer Seto Ghar wing occupies a restored 200-year-old neoclassical mansion that once housed Rana-era royalty. Throw in an exceptional team, free daily yoga and the Garden of Dreams just two minutes away, and you've got yourself a proper Kathmandu base.

On the banks of the Rapti River, Barahi has transformed what was once barren grassland into a thriving jungle haven right opposite Chitwan National Park. No run-of-the-mill safari lodge, it's a carefully crafted retreat where thatched cottages blend seamlessly into 12 hectares of forest, all planted by the lodge. With their own quartet of resident elephants (Ranikali, Sundarkali, Madhumala and Rangmala), hand-picked naturalists who've spent their lives in these jungles, and a rare combination of genuine eco-credentials and luxury, the wildlife experience at Barahi is enthralling and really quite hard to match.

A world away from the chaotic hustle of urban life, this intimate lodge sits in the heart of tiger country where extraordinary beauty and abundant wildlife create the perfect setting for off-the-beaten-track adventures. Bardiya provides the best tiger habitat anywhere in the country, offering your greatest opportunity to encounter this elusive big cat in its natural domain. The lodge operates with ultra-personal service and expert wildlife guiding, creating a calming escape that focuses entirely on natural surroundings. Local architecture influences room design, whilst the on-site farm produces fresh organic produce and environmental practices guide every operational decision.

Lama Hotel is a huddle of cosy teahouses at 2,480 metres in the Langtang Valley, named for the langur monkeys in the surrounding forest — a perfect first-night stop where dal bhat by the fire and the chance of spotting red pandas in the ancient woodland make for a gentle, enchanting introduction to Nepal's trekking trails.

Four hours' downhill from Lukla's goosebump-inducing runway, Phakding Lodge catches trekkers completely off-guard with its Scandinavian-inspired luxury. In fact, the Sherpa family behind the Mountain Lodges of Nepal collection have somehow wedged top-notch comfort into the Khumbu valley – think electric blankets, happy hour cocktails and vegetables grown in organic gardens. Massive riverbank boulders form the bones of the lodge and it's literally built into the landscape rather than on top of it. With a selection of coveted amenities (including hot showers – bliss!), Phakding Lodge has become the first-rate first-night stop for trekkers who've decided that reaching Everest Base Camp doesn't have to be uncomfortable.

Welcome to Tiger Palace by Soaltee, a premier destination nestled in the heart of Bhairahawa, Nepal, in the lush and vibrant Terai region. Located just south of the majestic Himalayas, this luxurious resort offers an exceptional escape, easily accessible from both India and Kathmandu.

Perched on a spiky promontory, the Modi River rushing below, Birethanti Lodge is the lowest lodge on the Annapurna circuit and an excellent start or end point to a trekking adventure. The suspension bridge entrance, draped with prayer flags, sets the tone beautifully while marigold-filled gardens and their resident butterflies remind you that opting for comfort doesn't mean sacrificing authenticity. Inside, you'll find handcrafted rooms with properly hot showers, and in the evening, communal dinners where trekkers swap tales over hearty meals grub. And outside, that sacred Fishtail Mountain practically poses for photos at sunrise...

Manaslu offers guests accommodation options which include a variety of local lodges or teahouses. Although majority of these local lodges/ guesthouses are very basic, they offer comfort while you enjoy the beautiful Manaslu Circuit Trek and various trails.

Right in the heart of Patan Durbar Square, this UNESCO World Heritage Site address doesn't get much more prestigious. Conservation architect Rohit Ranjitkar has worked architectural magic on an old traditional brick and timber Newari house, transforming it into a heritage hotel that respects its past whilst embracing contemporary comfort. The historic configuration remains intact, complete with a private courtyard that serves as the property's beating heart, whilst 10 individually designed rooms ensure no two stays are quite the same. This is heritage hospitality done properly - where living history doesn't require sacrificing modern conveniences, and where the incredible architecture outside your door provides daily reminders that you're staying somewhere genuinely special.

Tucked into the medieval lanes of Bhaktapur, just two minutes from Durbar Square, this charming boutique hotel bills itself as a 'museum of life' – and it's not wrong! Named after the Newari word for courtyard, the property is built around traditional communal living, with no perimeter wall separating guests from the ancient city outside. The design blends minimalist, mod style with age-old craftsmanship, and the cultural programme runs deep: think storytelling evenings in an on-site amphitheatre, rooftop dinners where every dish is full of history, and artisan visits to potters' workshops. A real and thoughtful immersion into what makes Kathmandu tick.

Nepal's Pokhara Valley sits at the foot of the Annapurnas, cosseted by three of the world's tallest peaks and the unmistakable fishtail silhouette of Machapuchare. And it's in this magical spot that you'll find The Pavilions, two sister retreats called The Farm, a working organic smallholding dotted with private villas, and Lake View, a collection of glamping tents reached by paddle boat across Phewa Lake. But what sets The Pavilions apart isn't just the scenery or the farm-fresh food – it's the fact that the majority of profits fund local education and support vulnerable women and children. It's eco-credentials are genuinely impressive too, with solar power, biogas and triple-recycled rainwater running the show.

Forget your typical heritage hotel – Dwarika's is what happens when someone becomes so obsessed with saving Kathmandu's disappearing architecture that they accidentally create one of the finest luxury retreats in Nepal. Started by one man (Dwarika Das Shrestha) rescuing centuries-old carved doors and windows from bulldozers in the 1950s, this extraordinary property has grown into a living showcase of Newari craftsmanship and it's now one of the world's largest private collections. Tucked away from Kathmandu's honking madness yet conveniently close to sacred sites and the airport, you'll find yourself having breakfast beneath 13th-century woodwork whilst planning your Himalayan adventures...

The Jungle Villa Resort is surrounded by lush greenery and is located on the edge of the Rapti river, providing all residents’ splendid nature views and wildlife sighting from the property. At the northern edge of the Chitwan National Park, the resort provides comfortable amenities enriching your jungle experience. Blending into nature, the resort has wildlife views from the deck and rooms. You can capture a glimpse of herds of deer, the one-horned rhinos, the royal Bengal tiger, birds, and other amphibians and aquatic animals at sunrise or sunset by the Rapti river. The property is located half an hour away from the Bharatpur airport.

Rhino Lodge Bardia is your ideal place to stay when you are exploring the jungles of this national park. Rhino Lodge Bardia has been the premier and preferred place for visitors to stay for over 20 years. The experience in this jungle park insures you of the best possible trip to the wild lands of this region.

Langtang offers guests accommodation options which include a variety of local lodges or teahouses. Although majority of these local lodges/ guesthouses are very basic, they offer comfort while you enjoy the beautiful landscape and hiking trails of Langtang.

Tucked into a quiet corner of Monjo village, this stone-built lodge sits on a hillock between the local monastery and a century-old Sherpa home – a fitting spot for one of Nepal's most heartfelt mountain retreats. With just eleven rooms and views across the imposing flanks of Thamserku, it's the smallest and newest of the Mountain Lodges of Nepal collection, and definitely the most intimate. The family behind it have been pioneers in Himalayan travel for over three decades, and that legacy shows in everything from the organic greenhouse supplying the kitchen to the genuinely warm welcome at the door. A restorative pause before the climb to Namche.

Lumbini Hotel Kasai, located in the serene town of Lumbini, Nepal, has been welcoming guests since 2009. This hotel is a unique blend of Japanese and Nepali influences, offering a comfortable and culturally rich experience.

The hotel's architecture and design reflect a harmonious fusion of traditional Japanese aesthetics with Nepali charm, creating a peaceful retreat for visitors. Its tranquil setting and thoughtful decor make it an ideal choice for travelers seeking relaxation and a touch of local culture.

Perched at the very top of Ghandruk – regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in Asia – this cosy retreat offers some of the finest mountain views in the Annapurna region. Built around a 19th century Gurung village house, the lodge gazes directly at Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and the iconic Fishtail peak, all close enough to take your breath away. Part of the Mountain Lodges of Nepal collection, it's a world away from more basic teahouses: think hot water bottles slipped into your bed, hearty home-cooked meals and happy hours around a crackling wood-burner. All in all, a perfect launchpad for lodge-to-lodge trekking through rhododendron forests and terraced hillsides.

Heritage is a Newari-style boutique hotel influenced by the rich art and architecture of the ancient city of Bhaktapur. The hotel is a tasteful reproduction of Nepali architecture, a mélange of architectural heritage of Malla and Rana Era which captures the emotions and sentiments of the rich Newari heritage of Bhaktapur.

Escape above the clouds at an elevation of 1600 meters (5250 ft) and witness the stunning views of the Himalayas. Experience the height of luxury and tranquility at one of the best Sarangkot hotels, offering uninterrupted, close-up views of the majestic Annapurna mountain range from every room. Enjoy the famous sunrise from your private balcony while taking in the clean, crisp mountain air.

Sarangkot Mountain Lodge boasts 2 suites and 28 Deluxe rooms. All rooms have private balconies with spectacular views of the Annapurna.

When Thailand's Dusit brand planted its flag in Nepal's capital in 2023, it brought something refreshingly different to Lazimpat's leafy streets. It's certainly not your typical Kathmandu crash pad and instead you've got an infinity pool gazing at Himalayan peaks (it's the highest in Nepal), rooftop shisha lounges pulsing with DJ sets, and Thai masseurs working their magic twelve floors above the city's bustle. The whole place feels uncluttered and calm – all clean lines and peaceful corners, and it's quickly become a clever choice for travellers who want their dal bhat served with a side of high-end sophistication.

Tucked beside lush forests with the famous Chitwan National Park as your playground, this lodge has cracked the code on making wildlife encounters both thrilling and ethically sound. The traditional Tharu longhouse architecture, crafted with locally-sourced materials and time-honored building techniques, creates an authentic immersion into village life without requiring you to rough it. Whether you choose one of the 12 spacious traditional rooms or opt for the full jungle experience in one of 9 safari tents, you're guaranteed front-row seats to nature's nightly symphony. The lodge's small scale means your experience takes priority over everything else - a refreshing approach in a world where bigger often masquerades as better.

There's a stone house in Phaplu, tucked into pine-forested slopes 18 miles south of Everest, where Sir Edmund Hillary spent months at a time. He called it his "happy place" and declared the views the finest he'd ever seen... Built in the 1970s through a collaboration between Italian explorer Count Monzino and a local Sherpa family, the house has now been lovingly - and beautifully - restored into an intimate ten-room retreat. Expect hand-painted Buddhist murals, artefacts from Monzino's legendarily lavish expedition, and a team of local people dedicated to revealing their magnificent homeland.

Located in a calm and serene area of the Lumbini World Heritage Garden, the Buddha Maya Gardens Hotel lies just over five minutes walk from the main temples of Lumbini. Buddha Maya Gardens has comfortable rooms, and friendly, knowledgeable staff who can help you plan your visit to the magnificent monuments and monasteries and the fascinating nearby archaeological ruins.

Reaching Landruk Lodge requires a proper pilgrimage – down into the Modi Khola gorge, across a swaying suspension bridge, then up those endless stone steps. But the reward is worth every footfall and gasp of breath! The crescent of green and white bungalows perches halfway up the mountainside in the heart of Gurung country, home to the legendary Gurkhas for centuries. The sacred Machhapuchhre – never climbed, never permitted – dominates the view. Wake to morning tea at your door as the pink light catches the snow and watch honey hunters scale sheer cliffs on bamboo ladders. Landruk is all about simple pleasures in spiritual surroundings.

Bhadgaon Hotel in its own name preserves the historic value as the city of Bhaktapur was previously called Bhadgaon hundreds of years ago. The name evolved but the aspiration towards the guests and heritage has remained constant. Hotel Bhadgaon promotes the local style of residence and mimics the cultural values in its own building. The decors and designs all in their own way, shape and form are part of the tradition of Bhadgaon.

Welcome to Temple Bell Boutique Hotel & Spa, an exquisite oasis where the serene beauty of nature meets the pinnacle of luxury and comfort. This hotel is designed to provide an unparalleled experience for discerning travellers seeking a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion.

The hotel offers luxurious accommodations, state-of-the-art amenities, and serene spaces for relaxation, including breathtaking views of the Annapurna range and Phewa Lake. Whether you’re here for leisure or adventure, Temple Bell Boutique Hotel & Spa ensures that every moment is steeped in the warmth of Nepali values and the excellence of world-class hospitality.