Nepal Hotel Recommendations: Your Key to a Relaxing & Memorable Trip - Nepal Purple Travel Guide

Finding the perfect place to stay can make a big difference in your travel experience, especially in vibrant cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Whether you're looking for luxury accommodations with Himalayan views, cozy guesthouses in the heart of cultural districts, or budget-friendly stays close to major attractions, both cities offer a wide range of options. This section will help you navigate the diverse hotel scene in Kathmandu and Pokhara, with tips on the best neighborhoods, and how to choose a place that suits your travel style and budget.

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we typically promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the Viator tours below.

Where to stay in Kathmandu

Kathmandu has no shortage of hotels from small rustic locally operated hotels to luxurious global hotel chains.
For most tourists, especially first-time visitors of Nepal, it makes sense to stay in Thamel. The reason for that is that Thamel is the most touristy part of Kathmandu, and locals are accustomed to foreigners, and thus in Thamel it is easiest to find English speakers, ATMs, and restaurants featuring a wide variety of cuisines. Besides that, we will spend one full day of our itinerary in Thamel.
If you come during Tihar, Thamel is also a good place to see children go from house to house, sing and collect a few Rupees.

Hotels in Kathmandu that are available during your trip can be found here:

We usually prefer to stay in local hotels. We liked Magnificent Hotel in Thamel. It is located in a quiet side street very close to Tridevi Temple in our self-guided walking tour of Thamel, and Decheling Garden Restaurant where we suggest you eat your first dinner in Kathmandu.
If you prefer a higher class, and more western style hotel, the Fairfield Marriott (map, reviews, Expedia, booking.com) is right next door.

Review of Magnificent Hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu

(map, reviews, Expedia, booking.com)

Magnificent Hotel in Thamel is an affordable good-quality Nepali-style hotel with big rooms, but sparse furnishing. It is located in a quiet side street near the very good Decheling Garden Restaurant, and its location provides easy access to shops, restaurants, our Self-Guided Thamel Walking Tour, and popular attractions like the Garden of Dreams, and the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.

The hotel manager is on site during daytime hours – he speaks very good English and is super helpful, and a very nice person to talk to. He is happy to help arrange transportation, he made the reservation at Bhojan Griha for us, and he explained the Tihar decorations in his hotel to us.
The hotel, rooms, and bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, and the furniture is in good condition. The hotel has good free wifi, air conditioning, and a complimentary breakfast. While the breakfast buffet has a limited selection of dishes, the wait staff will happily cook food for you, like omelets, or eggs in various styles.
The hotel does not have an elevator.
We found that Magnificent Hotel in Thamel provides excellent value, and we valued the friendliness of the staff and especially the hotel manager.

Where to stay in Pokhara

Like Kathmandu, Pokhara has hotels all over town, but there is a preferred area to stay.
Much of the town of Pokhara is of little interest to tourists and unlike Kathmandu, it is difficult to find a ride as Pathao does not operate in Pokhara (yet).
Therefore, almost all foreign tourists stay in Lakeside, a neighborhood adjacent to the eastern side of Phewa Lake.
Many of Pokhara’s tourist attractions are located in, or near Lakeside - our self-guided tour of Pokhara includes a leisurely stroll along Phewa Lake and a boat ride on the lake.
Lakeside is also your best bet to find English speakers, and a variety of restaurants.

Hotels in Pokhara that are available during your trip can be found here:

Please be advised that hotels in Lakeside tend to book fast during high season. It is therefore advisable to book your hotel a few months in advance.

We liked Hotel ABC. It is operated by a genuinely nice gentleman who inherited the hotel from his father, who built it, and who seems to spend 24 hours per day making sure that the hotel is well-cared for and that his guests are happy.

Review of Hotel ABC Boutique Hotel in Pokhara

(map, reviews, book)

Hotel ABC Boutique Hotel in Pokhara, Nepal, is a family-run hotel which the current owner has taken over from his father. The owner has his office right near the entrance and he seems to work 24/7.
The owner is a very nice person who speaks good English, and who is always willing to help, whether it is organizing transportation, sightseeing activities, or general travel advice.
The hotel has large well-maintained clean rooms, and is conveniently located near the Phewa Lake boat launch (a 2min walk), and close to many restaurants, and the Lakeside market area.
To get to the hotel lobby, you walk through a beautifully maintained small garden area that has seating for you to relax.
The hotel has good free wifi, air conditioning, and a complimentary breakfast. While the breakfast buffet has a limited selection of dishes, the wait staff will happily cook food for you.
We found that Hotel ABC Boutique Hotel in Pokhara provides excellent value, and we valued the friendliness of the staff and especially the hotel manager.

Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

Other popular Purple Travel Guides you may be interested in:

Like this Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel Guide? Pin these for later: