The Dwarika's Hotel in Kathmandu is not just a place to stay; it's a living museum and a testament to Nepal's rich architectural and cultural heritage. What makes it particularly exciting is its unique origin and the passion behind it. Here are some exciting aspects of The Dwarika's Hotel: A Vision Born from Preservation: The hotel's foundation lies in the late Dwarika Das Shrestha's commitment to rescuing and restoring traditional Newari wood carvings. In 1952, witnessing intricately carved wooden pillars being used as firewood sparked his lifelong mission. He began collecting these artifacts, eventually leading to the creation of the hotel to house and showcase his growing collection. Living Museum of Newari Architecture: The Dwarika's is designed in the style of traditional Newari architecture, reminiscent of the ancient palaces of the Kathmandu Valley. The buildings incorporate original woodwork, some dating back to the 13th century, and are constructed with handmade bricks using the traditional "Dacchiapa" technique revived by Shrestha himself. Staying here is like stepping back in time and experiencing the artistry of a bygone era. UNESCO Recognition: The hotel's dedication to preserving Nepali architectural traditions has been recognized with the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation. This prestigious award highlights the hotel's role in safeguarding and promoting the region's unique cultural identity. Award-Winning Excellence: The Dwarika's Hotel has consistently received accolades for its exceptional hospitality and unique concept. Recently, it was recognized as the "Best International Luxury Boutique Hotel" at the Travel + Leisure India's Best Awards 2024, further solidifying its reputation as a global leader in heritage and luxury hospitality. It has also received the PATA Heritage Award and the INTACH-SATTE Award for its pioneering work in heritage preservation. Immersive Cultural Experience: Beyond its architecture, the hotel offers a truly immersive cultural experience. The courtyards, buildings, and rooms are adorned with exquisite craftsmanship, capturing the beauty and spirit of ancient Kathmandu. Guests can admire an extensive collection of artifacts dating back to the 13th century. Sustainable Heritage Conservation: The Dwarika's is a pioneer in sustainable heritage conservation, demonstrating how cultural restoration and tourism can complement each other. It serves as a living example of how historical artifacts can be preserved and appreciated by a wider audience. Unique Dining Experiences: The hotel offers diverse dining options, including Krishnarpan, a slow-dining Nepalese restaurant offering multi-course meals that are an art form, Toran, a multi-cuisine restaurant in a beautiful setting, and Mako's, an authentic Japanese restaurant with its own unique charm. Tranquil Oasis: Despite being located in the city, the Dwarika's offers a serene and peaceful environment. Its inward-facing design, centered around beautifully tended courtyards, creates a sanctuary where guests can escape the urban bustle and enjoy the tranquility. Wellness Inspired by Tradition: The Pancha Kosha Himalayan Spa offers a holistic wellness experience rooted in traditional Himalayan philosophies, Ayurveda, and Buddhist medicine, providing a unique and rejuvenating experience. In essence, The Dwarika's Hotel is more than just a luxurious stay; it's an opportunity to immerse oneself in Nepal's rich history, art, and culture, all while enjoying world-class hospitality in a truly unique and...
Read moreDwarika - a true five star hotel. This is more akin to a palace than a hotel in a beautiful city. The rooms are stunning, the original features take you back in time yet the soft touches provide you with everything a modern five star would (and more!). The Dwarikas staff are nothing short of amazing, they're attentive and knew my partner and I across the hotel. We did not have breakfast or dine in the hotel due to the vast amounts of options elsewhere however the reviews of Toran and the likes are outstanding. The gym is a great effort considering you're in such a hotel, a few running machines, free weights, bench, multipurpose machine, barbells etc. To add there is an awesome yoga studio on the fourth floor which has direct sunlight. The gym is also on the fourth floor which gets a lot of light which is great to energise you. The location is perfect from the airport, if theres no traffic its circa 10 mins, if there is traffic anything up to 30 mins. Travelling around Katmandu from here was very easy too, Thamel is only a 15 min drive with no traffic and there are hotel taxis outside who will take you there for around 400NPR. Taxi too and from the airport also 400NPR. Have to provide a thank you to our driver Dev whose car is parked outside the Dwarika (the only blue car in Katmandu which also for anyone who likes to have normal leg room is a dream ride). We hired Dev for the day to take us around Katmandu to all the top attractions including Chandragiri Hill for a very reasonable fare. All in all I couldn't recommend this hotel anymore, if I ever return to Katmandu I wouldn't look any further than here - this is an independent review, we were never asked to leave a review from either the hotel or Dev as...
Read morethis is absolutely the best place to stay in. Kathmandu. we stayed here for three nights during festival and were able to experience celebration of the dogs. The hotel is very connected to the community and has a rich history. You’ll find that the hotel follows a very specific architectural outline that dates back hundreds of years and is part of a heritage project to keep alive ancient wood carving techniques and architectural elements. Although the property is in the center of town and very close to the airport once inside you don’t hear anything outside. Inside the property contains a very large courtyard with several buildings containing restaurants and individual shops. The pool and pool cabana area is a stand out area for guests to enjoy some relaxation. One of the restaurants serves international cuisine and is the typical breakfast buffet spot but you can also get eggs to order. Hot tip definitely try the French toast as it was probably the best French toast we have ever had in our life. I don’t know how they’re able to get it so thick yet so fluffy and the local fruit jam on the side is outstanding. They also have a Japanese theme restaurant, which is exactly as you would expect it and they have a fantastic, fine dining prefix menu local Nepal dining experience, which has been visited by the United States president and famous actors and actresses for years. You can pick from a six course nine course 16 course or 22 course meal. We did the six course and it was more than enough food and we could barely finish our dessert. you will definitely not regret staying here, but if you don’t stay here, you...
Read more