Women-Friendly Travel in Kathmandu
The Kathmandu women-friendly travel guide places explicit women-friendly and family confidence signals first, while keeping uncertain details visible for review.
Kathmandu
Hotel Shangri-La
There’s a lot to enjoy at this hotel which has a new casino, a fitness centre, bar, Indian restaurant and a business centre. However the main draw card of this hotel is the huge garden with its own cafe and kid’s play area.
Kathmandu
Yak and Yeti Hotel
Address: GPO Box 1016, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4248999/4240520
Kathmandu
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu
The top end in luxury hotels, this 280 room establishment has Malla-style architecture and the stupas in the foyer (a lamp-lighting ceremony held at dusk). All rooms have high-speed Internet access, mini-bar and in-room safes; the hotel itself possess an outdoor swimming pool, three tennis courts and fitness centre and can organise trekking activities. After a hard day sightseeing the spa offers a shirodhara (oil pouring) Ayurvedic treatment. One of the best things about this hotel is its proximity to the Bodhnath stupa and the Pashupatinath Temple.
Kathmandu
Dwarika Hotel
Address: P.O.Box-459, Battisputali, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (977-1) 4479488/4470770
Kathmandu
International Guest House
Address: PO Box 7060, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +9771 4252299 There is much to like here at this hotel which has century-old carved terracotta architecture, a spacious garden and one of the best roof-top views of the city from its location in Kaldhara, North Thamel. There is a multi-cuisine restaurant, they provide free internet use and luggage storage. Room wise, there is a range of choices between the deluxe suites and standard rooms – all are tastefully furnished.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu Guest House
This former Rana palace has come a long way from its beginning as the first hostel in Thamel, with only 13 rooms, in the 60s. In fact it is so iconic that locals refer to it as a central landmark and all directions are measured ‘near the Kathmandu Guest House’. They’re 120 rooms but the original 13 rooms are quite dark and have no bathroom and the entire hostel is often booked weeks in advance to the high season. There is a wi-fi enabled courtyard, two gardens which will serve as a peaceful getaway from the bustle of Thamel.
Kathmandu
Hotel Potala
Smack bang in the centre of Thamel, this establishment has 27 simple but clean rooms; room service is available 24hs. There is a rooftop garden bar with excellent views, a restaurant that serves Nepalese, Chinese and Indian dishes, internet terminals, a doctor on call, laundry service and a tour and travel information service along with an airport pick service (pre information before arrival is required).
Kathmandu
Kathmandu Garden House
A small place located in a quiet area on the fringe of Thamel with three types of rooms: single, double, and common. All bathrooms have showers with 24hr hot and cold water. There are sitting areas and a peaceful garden, a European/Nepalese restaurant, doctor on call, daily luggage services, free luggage storage, safety deposit boxes and airport pick-up (charges apply).
Kathmandu
Hotel Florid
There 22 rooms in the main complex with 2 suite units; all have hot water, air conditioning and a TV. Hotel services include a doctor on call, travel information desk, ticket booking services for transport, laundry service and 24hr Internet in the cyber cafe. There is a nice garden restaurant (continental and South Asian cuisine is the order of the day) as well.
Kathmandu
Hotel Tashi Dhargey
More upper budget than dirt cheap, this place has a wide range of old-fashioned rooms; deluxe rooms have air conditioning and a large bathroom. The hotel itself offers a foreign currency exchange, Internet services, free local calls, travel information desk, a doctor on call, free airport to hotel shuttle, and free baggage storage and deposit boxes. There is a restaurant and the hotel itself is less than a five-minute walk from the Royal Palace and the main shopping center.
Kathmandu
Mahaguthi
It’s ‘craft with a conscience’, supporting a home for destitute women, with three branches in the Kathmandu Valley. There is a whole range to choose from including: paper products, clothes, ceramics, felt items, sliver and pashminas.
Kathmandu
Sana Hastakala
Location: Branches in Kupondol and Lazimpath Run by an organisation dedicated to maintaining traditional craft skills as well as modern techniques in order to generate income for under privileged women, this outlet has a great selection of items including: dhaka clothes, ceramics, paper, art, toys and pashminas.
Kathmandu
What to do with kids in tow?
Very few people travel with their children in Nepal as it has very limited activities for them to take part in, not to mention the high risk of disease. Nepalese cuisine might also be trying for children that are not used to spicy food and highchairs are almost nonexistent in the rural areas. Like most capital cities, Kathmandu has a zoo (Central Zoo, Jawalahel, Patan, 5528023, adult/child Rs 150/100) which lots of exotic animals. The best thing about it is that it’s one of the most reputable places that will let you ride an elephant (for only $1.50), you can even hire one for the hour at $15.15. Some hotels also have swimming pools that can be used for a small price; alternatively check out the public pools in Balaju and the National Stadium. There are also hot air balloon flights that are priced at US$250. If your child wants something more simple, head to Pilgrims Book House (Thamel, Kathmandu, 977-1-4700942, 8am to 10pm daily) which stocks kids books.