Bang in the centre of the city, Kantipur Temple House is an awe inspiring work of architecture that takes a hold of your senses as soon as you set eyes on it. Though it isn’t a heritage building itself, the art forms and architecture used have been taken from Kathmandu’s golden period during the Malla Dynasty when art and architecture was at its peak. But it isn’t some cheap copy either – thousands of local artisans who have been taught over the generations were employed in the making of this hotel. The hotel is as beautiful and inspiring as Nepal’s oldest Newari palaces – there are intricate statues of Nepali gods and goddesses carved into the wooden beams supporting the roof, the typical Newari red brick is used everywhere and the hotel is in fact, a very real temple.

The sanctum sanctorum is in a courtyard in the centre of the hotel, surrounded by the intricate of the building and the windows of the rooms looking into it. You can’t really have a bad view from this hotel - you are either facing the beautiful stupa/statue or the green gardens that surround the hotel. The green gardens have a beautiful Buddha temple with some unique circular tables fashioned around the trees which make for a delightful breakfast setting. The terrace at the top of the hotel is another unique setting – a large open space with a beautiful mural of Buddha on the wall and a pagoda at the very top with scenic views of all of Kathmandu and its surrounding mountains. In the winters, this is a hot spot for sun bathers and those that just want to relax in the sun with a chilled beer.

The hotel is a thoughtful one in many other respects as well. This is one of the most ecologically friendly hotels in Kathmandu. Everything from the bed spreads to the curtains support the culture. There are brass pots with water in every room – traditionally known to be more beneficial for your health and guests are urged to carry their own water bottles when they step out to prevent them from buying plastic mineral water bottles. Kantipur Temple House even supplies you with cloth bags when you go out shopping.

The rooms are extremely comfy with the red brick walls, the natural materials used and the modern bathrooms. Due to the constant load shedding in Kathmandu, the hotel has taken a stand against using a generator (unlike most hotels in the city) and there is no air-conditioning, lifts, television (unless needed) as well as solar water heating to cut down on the dependence on the state electricity supply. Most of all I will always remember the ubiquitous symbol of Nepal – the Buddha Eyes that looked down on me from the wall above my bed. It never let me forget the fact that I was staying in Nepal, surely one of the best tests for a hotel room.