Dwarika's Sanctuary — Hotel in Dhulikhel

This is a long and particularly positive review because my 8 days at Dwarika Resort in Dhulikel (after 4 days at Dwarika Hotel in Kathmandu) have been a life changing experience.|First of all, I would like to praise with heart and soul the original project of Dwarika Das Shresta and his precious wife Ambica who in 1970s gave vent to a visionary project. While one of the most fascinating, sacred and fragile world heritage complexes (the Valley of Kathmandu) started to dissolve under the brutalism of the modern world, Dwarika was collecting objects and architectural elements of the rich Newar culture and beyond to raise awareness about the importance of the ancient cultures of Nepal. There is not space here to describe the importance of the Shresta family for the preservation of Nepali art and architecture and for the development of a certain sophisticated hotelerie in the Himalayan country. Looking at their photos in the Kathmandu hotel, both Dwarika and Ambica had the gaze of true wisdom and infinite beauty. |After having built an architectural complex dedicated to the spirit of the authentic Newar culture, the new generation of the Shresta family thought about exalting a place away from the built-up valley of the capital where a more challenging and unintelligible form of culture would be preserved: the interconnection among human beings, nature and the universe that the Himalayan region elaborated in millennia. In an isolated place among the highest mountains of the world yet a context where Indian and Tibetan forces joined Vedic culture, Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation and many other things taken to the highest possible level of today. |The Dwarika resort is the greatest and yet most invisible monument to the “genius loci” (the spirit of the place), a true manifestation of a fusion between jungle and architecture under the most powerful sky. I was there in monsoon season and I saw an infinity pool reflecting blue sky and impalpable fog, dark clouds and heavy rain. The rooms (with king size beds and original bathroom) are comfortable beyond words, the food (with fresh ingredients coming from a biological farm) is simply out of this world, the service is something I will never forget. Every single man or woman working at Dwarika is a genius, a person that does whatever he or she does (working in the reception, in the restaurant, in the spa or in the garden) with a dignity and skill that is unpararelled in the rest of the world. |Special mention goes to Doctor Sanju Majakoti, the Ayurveda resident expert, who not only prepares a diagnosis of the client but also participates in the elaboration of menus and treatments. I cured my insomnia with a series of Shirodara massages that put me to sleep every night for 8 hours. |Then, I have no words to describe the impact of Guru Ganesh. He is an extraordinary human being with a vision that blends together all the principles of the resort. As a westerner in love with the East I have always respected Buddhism, Hinduism or any other religion or philosophy from this region. I have always doubted about “occidentalis karma” sold in every corner of Europe or America. Guru Ganesh has thaught me something more in depth than my previous perceptions. After serious lessons on ancient Scriptures, Chakras, Hatha Yoga, meditation and long conversations, I have left Nepal with a deeper sense of awareness of the importance of the fusion between cultures for healing purposes. This is not a mere SPA resort but a place where to reflect on the sense of life and the self. I would like to return for another week or two to expand what Guru Ganesh have started to teach me to make my life perhaps healthier but above with a further layer of meaning that was unknown to me. |I would like to thank every single person who works at the Dwarika resort. From the supervision of the Shresta Family to the most amazing people who prepared healthy food, manicured the meadows, placed flowers in ancient bronze vases or around a maze with a view of rice paddies and the highest mountains on the planet. I would like to look back and ideally bow and say NAMASTE to all of you at the...

The resort is about one hour’s drive from Kathmandu airport and is an amazing oasis from the hustle and bustle of the town. We arrived about 9:30am, but our room was ready for us. Having gone through a briefing about the resort and been placed in a WhatsApp group to enable the hotel and ourselves to contact each other easily, we were shown to our room by golf cart. The resort was fairly quiet as we were at the beginning of the season, and we were given room 223 an upgrade on our original room. There was a KSB plus an additional daybed in the room, which looked out over the hillside. There was a TV, radio and CD player, tea and real coffee was provided, there was also a fruit bowl and cookies provided as well. There were 3 separate aircon units and a safe. The bathroom had a separate toilet, bath and shower and two wash basins and a hairdryer, there were also lovely toiletries provided as well as slippers and bathrobes. The flooring in the bathroom was slated wooden strips and pebbles on which you had to be careful walking. There was also a roof terrace with chairs and loungers. The resort is built on a steep hillside so for main meals we had to go down and for the swimming pool, salt and crystal rooms, spas, art studios, lunchtime restaurant and bar we had to travel up the hillside. There are golf carts available for the less able to walk. Our package included breakfast and evening meal as there is not really anywhere nearby where you can walk out to for food. Breakfast was a buffet with eggs of your choice. You had to notify reception by 5pm of your choice for evening meal. The food was all amazing, well presented, served hot and was very tasty. Each day of our stay we were provided with a different coloured scarf which they encouraged you to wear, they were yours to keep. The staff we came across from the room cleaners right up to the hotel management were all really friendly and helpful and nothing was too much bother. If you want a little pampering and luxury, I would certainly recommend...

I stayed at this hotel for four nights on a vacation in Nepal, booking their City-Country Package, which included stays here and at the Dwarika Hotel in Kathmandu.||The experience was nothing short of wonderful, filled with delightful surprises, lasting impressions, and complete satisfaction.||Initially, I wasn’t particularly drawn to meditation or yoga. My only goal was to unwind in a peaceful resort setting with a view of the Himalayas.||Since I’d heard about the frequent cancellations of domestic flights in Nepal, I decided not to risk traveling too far from Kathmandu. This hotel, just an hour's drive away, turned out to be the perfect choice.||The hospitality of the staff, the thoughtfully provided amenities, the stable internet, and, of course, the stunning Himalayan views were all beyond my expectations.||But the highlight of my stay was definitely the food. Each evening offered a fantastic spread of Nepali and Indian dishes, along with continental options. We loved the Nepali cuisine so much that we didn’t make it to the Japanese restaurant, and yet, every meal brought something new and delicious over our four nights.||The tranquility of the hotel is also remarkable. Early November is peak season in Nepal, with ideal weather—clear skies, mild temperatures, and little rain. Still, the hotel never felt crowded. Every view, from the hilltop lookout to the serene pool area, felt like it was reserved just for us. Based on other reviews, it seems that guests often find they have the view to themselves.||Thanks to everyone at Dwarika’s Resort, I enjoyed a relaxing, fulfilling vacation that was...