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.
Life at The Farm revolves around Bhetghat, a split-level clubhouse with a restaurant, bar, spa and an infinity pool filled with Himalayan salt water overlooking the rice paddies. At Lake View, things are more stripped back: a natural spring pool, open-air dining and the Annapurnas as your constant backdrop. Both properties run entirely on renewable energy, with grey water filtered through plants and cattle manure converted to cooking gas. Spa Svastha offers Ayurvedic treatments using botanicals gathered from the mountains – the singing bowl therapy is a particular highlight.
The Farm has 14 villas ranging from cosy Classics to the two-bedroom Chalet, all with stone fireplaces, private terraces and views across the paddies to snow-capped peaks. The Jacuzzi tubs in the bathrooms are also very lovely. Lake View's eight tented villas feel more like a luxury African safari camp – floor-to-ceiling windows, retractable glass doors, outdoor rain showers and handcrafted furniture, but the Royal tent is the showstopper: four-poster bed, freestanding tub and a terrace that seems to hover above Phewa Lake. There are no televisions here by design; you're meant to be watching the mountains.
Pokhara is Nepal's adventure capital, and paragliding from Sarangkot, soaring above the lake with the Himalayas spread out before you, is an absolute must. Back on solid ground, join a cooking class to master momos and Himalayan thali, take a guided farm tour (kids can try their hand at milking cows), or simply float across Phewa Lake to the tiny island temple of Tal Barahi. For something more ambitious, the Annapurna Circuit beckons, or try white-water rafting on the Trisuli River. Quieter moments are best spent in the yoga shala or spotting golden eagles from your terrace.
Knowing your stay genuinely makes a difference. The owners have been working in Nepal since 1994, and their hospitality school now trains local youth in food, beverage and housekeeping, many of whom you'll meet as staff
Book a night at each property and trek between them. The three to four hour hike through terraced rice fields is a wonderful way to experience both, arriving by boat and leaving on foot.
Lake View closes during monsoon season (July-August) and requires a 35-minute paddle boat crossing, so factor in travel time if you're planning day trips to Pokhara.
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A lakeside base for Annapurna, with excellent cafés and zero pressure.
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