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.
Stay
All Kantipur Temple House rooms are eco-friendly, elegant and comfortable. There are standard rooms as well as deluxe rooms on the first, second and third floors and the fourth floor houses VIP suites that include a well-equipped kitchen, used mainly by foreign journalists that come here for months at a time.
The bed sheets, cushion covers, straw mats, carpets and curtains used in the rooms are all locally woven. Even the sinks in the washroom are locally made of molded copper. The soap case is made from the bark of bamboo (choya in Nepali) and the soap itself is made of Nepali herbs. The spacious rooms are tastefully decorated with traditional carved wood and dhaka (hand-woven) cloth bedspreads commissioned from local fair trade shops. There is plenty of art on the walls and my room had a large painting of the Buddha Eyes painted directly on the wall opposite my bed which was bold and thought provoking.
The red brick walls, the straw matting on the floor and the peaceful views of the stupa in the temple courtyard, made me feel comfortable and serene. Almost like I was living inside some super luxurious monastery! Some people complain that Newari rooms like this get very dark and you have to use artificial light even during the day but I did not experience this at all.
Dine
Almost all the food at the hotel comes from their organic farm in Bhaktapur, which goes a long way in making sure the food is delicious. You can choose from Thai, Chinese, Nepali, Indian and Continental. I had had more than my fill of typical Nepali food at the owner’s excellent Nepali restaurant in the city – Bhojan Griha. I am sure the Nepali food at the hotel would be just as good. The traditional Nepali Thaali includes a spicy potato starter, rice with lentils, a hoe made tomato pickle, a seasonal vegetable, greens and curd. Don’t forget to try ‘aila’ – the Nepali rice wine which is strong but goes down a bit too easily!
Breakfast was Indian – a delicious potato curry with fried bread (aloopuri) which I had under a tree out in the garden, It was washed down with a cup of Nepali masala chai – milky and sweet. Just to try out something new, I ordered a Thai curry with rice for lunch and was blown away! Maybe it had something to do with the fact that it as laden with organic vegetables but the meal was amazing. This was the best Thai curry I have had outside out Thailand. I sadly did not have a chance to try out any of the continental fare but judging by the rest of my meals there, I can tell that every meal here will be one you will remember.
Located bang in the centre of Kathmandu – there is much to do here with plenty of sightseeing and shopping to be done. Kantipur Temple House is a short walking distance from Thamel – the hub of all tourism in Nepal – here you will get everything you can dream of finding from bronze statues to thangkas to trekking gear and even some great music and books.
The main sights to see here are the temples. Hanuman Dhoka (Durbar Square) is a place where various palaces exist. These palaces and temples were constructed by Malla kings of Nepal between the 12th and the 18th centuries. The Hanuman Dhoka Palace has three of the famous museums-Tribhuvan, Mahendra, and Birendra Museumswhich are devoted to the Shah rulers. The National Museum in Kathmandu is also worth seeing with its antique coin and religious painting collection.
Swayambhunath Stupa or the monkey temple of Swayambhunath. It is a Buddhist temple on top of a hill where monkeys roam around freely.
Boudhanath Stupa is the largest stupa in Nepal. It is also called the Khasti Chitya. 45 monasteries exist in this region as it is one of the oldest stupas in Nepal.
Budhanilkantha is a magnificent piece of stone work. This sculpture was created during the Lichchhavi period (5th century). It is believed that the ‘the Reclining Vishnu’ statue was carved from a single stone.
Pashupatinath Temple was supposedly built in 400 A.D. It has the most splendid architecture. Pilgrims from all corners of the world come to visit this temple which is the abode of the sacred lingam of Hindu Lord Shiva
Changu Narayan Temple built in the 4th century houses a statue of Lord Vishnu which has ten arms and ten heads.
The late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shahdev of Nepal lived in his royal palace called the Narayanhity Durbar. The new structure was unveiled on the king’s marriage in 1970.
Kathmandu is famous for handicrafts. Various statues made out of stone, metal and wood are made here. Craftsmen are also efficient in pottery, making carpets out of wool, handmade rice paper.
Kathmandu presents a perfect blend of contemporary lifestyle visible in the casinos and ancient temples of worship.
Kantipur Temple House is one of the most ecologically aware hotels in Kathmandu city. The owner of the hotel, Bharat Basnet has done a lot to help the city and uses his hotel to set an example to others on how it can be done. He was responsible for the banning of the infamous ‘Vickram tempos’ in Kathmandu because of their carbon emissions. Electric vans were put in their place! This has single handedly improved the quality of air in the city! In 2001, the staff was rounded up for Mt. Everest clean up lead by Bharat Basnet (the owner). Even now, staff from Kantipur Temple House go to the Swayambhu Stupa (one of the biggest stupas in the city) every Sunday to collect the trash thrown by tourists and talk to the vendors about not selling plastic mineral water bottles.
The running of the hotel checks all the boxes. There is a rainwater harvest tank and signs in the bathroom to save water – including a cheeky one telling you to shower together! Water from the showers is filtered to be used in the gardens and guests are given the option to reuse their towels till they want it washed.
Solar panels are used for water heating and the usage of electricity is kept to a minimum with no AC, fan, television of elevator in the hotel (the hotel has 7 floors). Generators are not used. There are large gardens surrounding the hotel and waste is segregated and composted for the gardens. Food is not grown here but at a farm a few kilometers outside the city from where the hotel’s restaurant can source its organic food. The food includes rice, maize and lentils besides just vegetables.
Most importantly the building of the hotel and its interiors have borrowed heavily from the local culture, providing livelihood to artists and workers who are versed in traditional forms of art and architecture and do not have a means of living anymore. There are beautiful statues and designs imbedded into the structure of the building which is in itself built like a temple with a sanctum sanctorum at the very centre of it. All materials used are sourced locally and wherever possible from fair trade and NGO’s. Several forms of art that do not have patrons anymore are used by Kantipur Temple House. The soap is made by WEAN – Women’s Empowerment Action Network, the curtains are woven at the Tibetan refugee camp and the straw matting is still made the way it used to be in the old days.
They give you water bottles to stop you from buying plastic mineral water bottles from outside and even give you cloth shopping bags so you don’t come back with plastic! All in all, this is a thoughtful hotel with its head and heart in the right place.
What’s Hot!
- An awe inspiringly beautiful hotel.
- The manager and the staff are very thoughtful and are will willingly go out of their way to make you feel comfortable.
- The owner and management of the hotel are highly ecologically aware. It’s a luxury eco hotel that’s right in the centre of the city!
What’s Not!
- The rooms can get a little dark – the bane of traditional Newari architecture.
Ideal For Whom
Kantipur Temple House is ideal for someone looking for a stay in Kathmandu that is luxurious, local and thoughtful. The hotel is located right in the centre of the city which gives tourists easy access to the rest of town. There are several walking routes you can take from the hotel to discover the city. Families and large groups will find the hotel suitable because of the large number of rooms.
The owners of Explore Nepal, one of the leading eco friendly tour operators in Nepal also own this hotel so this hotel is often used by trekkers on the way to the Himalayas.
When To Visit
Kathmandu has a mild climate most of the year, situated at an altitude of 4,297f. Summer temperatures from May to July range from 19-27°C, and in winter from November to February temperatures are between 2-20°C. During the rainy monsoon season between June and August, there is an average rainfall of between 7.8-14.7 inches (200-375mm) in Kathmandu. May and June can be very hot and humid until the monsoon rains bring relief. In spring (March to April) and autumn (October to November) the temperatures are pleasant with occasional short bursts of rain, while November to February are dry, but can be very cold, especially at night.
How Many Days
Depending on your purpose of visit, I would recommend you stay in Kantipur Temple House for as long as you plan to stay in Kathmandu! If you are visiting Kathmandu for the first time, five nights and six daysto see all the sights will be perfect.
Things To Bring
Pack according to the weather. Nepal can be sweltering in the summers, so if you have to come here during then, carry your coolest whites and beiges and keep it to cotton and linen. Monsoons can get humid, and an umbrella and heels to keep your feet away from the puddles! In the winters, temperatures drop to the single digits – so carry something warm. Most of all make sure you have enough space to bring back all the shopping you will do!
Kantipur Temple House is located in Jyatha, on the way between Kantipath and Thamel – very much in the centre of the city. Airport transfers are provided for by the hotel. The hotel is ideal to use a base to see the rest of the city from.
Bharat Basnet is self-made entrepreneur, hotelier, trekker and an ardent promoter of Nepal’s art and culture. He is also one of the leading environmentalists in Kathmandu, and the city has a lot to thank him for. Not least of which is the banning of the ‘Vikram tempo’ – old diesel guzzling tempo’s that were the leading cause of Kathmandu’s air pollution. He fought against them for 5 years before he finally won. The air quality in the city has now significantly improved.
He owns an array of hotels in Nepal including two wildlife camps in Chitwan and an old traditional house in Bhaktapur called Gaon Ghar – all eco friendly of course. He also runs an organic farm whose produce is sent to all his hotels as well as his traditional Nepali restaurant, Bhojan Griha which is amongst the best in the city.
Every one of his establishments are very serious about educating their staff about environmental issues (the staff at KTH go to Swyambhu Stupa every Sunday to collect plastic rubbish), maintain a strict ‘no plastic’ policy, have bulk containers of mineral water to avoid using several smaller bottles, maintain a waste management system for biodegradable waste and fund a drinking water reservoir in the centre of Kathmandu.
In this day and age, every city could use a Bharat Basnet of its own!
“Hidden down an alley, right on the edge of the fascinating old town, the Kantipur Temple House has been built in old Newari temple-style, with fine attention to detail and a commendable attempt to be environmentally sustainable.
This place is really doing its best to be eco-friendly – the food is organic, guests are given cloth bags to use when shopping, and bulk mineral water is available free of charge, so you don’t need to buy unrecyclable plastic bottles. The bonus is that you don’t have to make any sacrifices for your social responsibility; this is a top-notch hotel.” Lonely Planet
“Kantipur Temple House is a gateway destination for tourists on their maiden visit to Nepal. And, for those who are familiar and appreciate Nepal’s inimitable woodcraft heritage, the hotel offers an opportunity to escape the drab and seek timely inspiration from the art.. A stay at Kantipur Temple House is a journey into the past, present and future all at once. It lets you experience Nepal’s history, offers present day amenities and comforts, and promises to pave the way Nepal’s hotel industry should function in the future.” ECS, November 2008
‘To all at Kantipur Temple House – Thank you so much for making our stay in Kathmandu such a memorable and enjoyable one. You are all so kind and generous. Our room was beautiful as was the atmosphere. We left completely at home and can’t wait to be back.’ Katyna Samut-Taglia, Malta
‘We were very very happy in your hotel and would like to say dehri dhanyabad for everything!! We hope to see you again and in the meantime we wish you a nice time. Thank you and Namaste’ Group Peter Schmid, International Mountaineering
‘We loved Kantipur : Thank you to all the staff for a great welcome and making us feel a part of the family. Especial thanks to Digambar and Shyam, who worked hard to make sure we had the best of times.’ Della Matheson and Pivvee P., BBC Radio, UK.
