Welcome to Kathmandu Guest House
The Kathmandu Guest House, a converted Rana Palace, was opened in 1968 and is the flagship hotel of the KGH Group. Located in the middle of the tourist hub of Thamel, this iconic hotel is where adventure tourism in Nepal started. It has evolved from a 4-room budget guest house to a 140-room boutique hotel.
The Kathmandu Guest House has attracted many of the world’s iconic figures. George Harrison (The Beatles) in 1968, Ricky Martin in 1999, Jeremy Irons in 2003, President Jimmy Carter in 2007 and Tony Wheeler (co-founder of Lonely Planet). Explorers, such as Toni Hagen, and world-renowned mountaineers, including Tenzing Norgay, Nirmal Purja (Nims Dai), Reinhold Messner, Sir Chris Bonington, Doug Scott and George Band have stayed at the hotel.
After the 2015 earthquake, the original palace was severely damaged, and had to be leveled to the ground. It was then rebuilt in its present form and the ‘Dream Garden’ became a reality.
Established 1968, KGH Group of Hotels and Resorts is Nepal’s leading hotel chain with 7 hotels under its flagship. Kama Sakya, founder of the KGH Group, is hailed as the father of tourism in Nepal. He pened the Kathmandu Guest House, the company’s first hotel, which was instrumental in starting adventure tourism in the country and creating the famous tourism hub of Thamel.
Many renowned writers, mountaineers, researchers and artists have left their footprints at our hotels. The KGH Group today has grown from the 4-room Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel that hosted the hippies and the mountaineers to a 600-room hotel chain conveniently situated in the main tourist destinations of Nepal.
The KGH Group’s strategically placed hotels allows us to serve a wide specter of interests, be they mountaineering, trekking, river rafting, culture or wildlife.
We look forward to welcoming you to Nepal.
Today the group’s hotels include Mayor Manor Boutique Hotel and Park Village Resort in Kathmandu, The Waterfront Resort and Himalayan Front Hotel in Pokhara, The Maruni Sanctuary Lodge in Chitwan and Buddha Maya Gardens Resort in Lumbini along with The Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel.
Park Village Resort
Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu
“Experience an urban oasis in the heart of Kathmandu”
Park Village Resort is nestled on five acres of parkland just below the Shivapur hills. This eco-friendly resort offers 160 rooms ranging from standard to deluxe, a lovely outdoor swimming pool, full range buffet and dining facilities, a world-class spa and state of the art meeting and conference halls.
It is a fine modern nature-based resort close to the city yet conveniently distanced allowing one to unwind during the weekends or relax after a long grueling trek in the mountains.
Park Village has its own parkland spread over 7 acres, and has over 75 different types of plants.
Maya Manor Boutique Hotel
Maya Manor, built in 1935, was purchased by the KGH Group of Hotels in the 70s, as the Sakya family home. As a private home it was still frequented by numerous academics, authors, filmmakers and other friends of the family. Here occupancy was by invite only, and for a number of years it was a melting pot of like-minded cultural figures getting together. In 2003, the Carter Centre opened its office here and was inaugurated by former US President Jimmy Carter.
In the earthquake of 2015, the back portion of this old mansion was badly damaged. Acknowledging the importance of heritage preservation, the family had the old part of the building retrofitted and rebuilt, while the back portion had to be totally re-built. Located in the southeast corner of the previous Royal Palace, the hotel offers a boutique atmosphere with its history and colonial architecture.
A Hotel with History
Neighboring the former Royal Palace this historic mansion was built by the then Commander-in-Chief Toran Sumsher Rana in 1935. As time passed Royalty and dignitaries from around the world visited, notably, it became the residence of successive Chinese Ambassadors during the 1960’s.
In 1974 Mr Karna Sakya, the founding chairman of The KGH Group, bought the property, as his family residence. It became a home with a difference, as he invited academics, authors, artists and filmmakers to stay as his guests.
In 2008, The Carter Centre was established in the south Wing, their purpose to monitor the historic election that marked the transition from monarchical rule to parliamentary democracy.
President Carter was a regular visitor, overseeing the mission. In recognition of his personal interest and his important work the south wing has been re-named The Carter Wing.
The earthquake of 2015 partly damaged the main building. Under the guidance of Mr Karna Sakya it has been meticulously renovated, using a combination of Palladian, Corinthian, Neo-classical and Baroque styles.
The new seven-storied hotel structure uses the same Victorian architecture. Together, showcasing the grandeur of European colonial influence in South Asia, and retaining an ambiance of a timeless and elegant past.
Waterfront Resort (Lakeside, Pokhara)
The perfect place to relax and unwind.
The Waterfront Resort, overlooking the Phewa Lake, offers a remarkable and close-up view of the lake. The hotel is arguably the best site to absorb the splendor of this serene water body. In addition, the experience is heightened by paragliders suddenly landing right in front of the hotel grounds.
The hotel’s swimming pool is renowned, seemingly merging into the lake’s water Just a five minute drive, or 15 minute stroll, to Lakeside promenade, and its vast array of shops and restaurants
More than a holiday hotel, Waterfront has full business and event facilities, and is ideal for wedding celebrations.
Himalayan Front Hotel (Sarangkot, Pokhara)
“Great things happen when you meet the mountains”
Himalayan Front Hotel offers a spectacular panoramic view of Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail) and Annapurna South. This is the ideal place for mountain lovers to spend a few nights and soak in nature’s majestic beauty, enhanced by phenomenal sunrise and sunsets.
Experience a swim in our beautiful infinity pool or have a cocktail at the rooftop lounge, and enjoy a 360 degree view of the mountains and the valley far below.
Himalayan Front is a perfect launch pad to trek in the surrounding hills, on your own or with a guide. Or to arrange paragliding, white water rafting or a host of cultural activities.
Buddha Maya Gardens Resort (Lumbini, Nepal)
The best journey is the journey inward- seek your spiritual comfort in our sanctuary.
The hotel is in close proximity to the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and is spread across 7 acres of land, with a garden to help you unwind and to reflect your inner self.
You may well wake the sounds of chirping birds and spiritual chanting, and fall asleep to the sound of crickets.
Discover an engaging blend of modernity with a spiritual ambience at Buddha Maya Garden Resort.
Maruni Sanctuary Lodge (Chitwan National Park)
Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit
Maruni Sanctuary Lodge has that ‘real jungle ambience’, that ‘back to nature’ feeling so many of us seek.
It is situated but one minute walk to the Chitwan National Park itself, and on the outskirts of the Kumrose Community Forest. Its position allows for easy access and opportunities to view the various wildlife species in their natural habitat. Plus, view local village life and partake in cultural activities.
References
KGH Group brochure
Museum of Nepali Art
