Purna's Museum Resort

Both the hotel itself and the communal areas were amazing! We learnt a lot about Newari architecture and culture at the hotel museum. The hotel itself is like a real museum! There was also a wonderful cat that we fed cheese to. Just 100 meters away is a pine hill with a stunning views and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at the top. From the hotel, we visited the Botanical Garden and Phulchowki Hill. To reach the Botanical Garden, you have to walk along the village road for about 45 minutes and then take a small taxi for 20 minutes along the main road. The staff in the bar and the manager Asim at reception were very friendly and helpful!

We weren't keen on our room. It did not look cosy; it looked a bit shady and old, and lacked some facilities. For example, there were no bathrobes and space. So we didn't feel comfortable staying inside for long. The hotel's communal areas are pretty good, especially during the warmer months, but during the winter months, you can't spend much time outdoors because of the cold weather. I would recommend adding some lighting and facilities to the rooms to make them nicer , brighter and more comfortable. A heated swimming pool and some communal areas would also be a nice addition during the cold months!

Gorgeous woodwork and spectacularly beautiful museum! Helpful staff.

Noisy parties one night

After being kept awake by barking dogs over 10 sleepless nights in Kathmandu’s Thamel zone, I decided to go upmarket for 5 days in a location away from the noise and pollution. Purna’s photos make it look like a typical Indian pseudo palace hotel, but the hotel is in reality more elegant and refined. The owner’s main business is renovating historic Nepali temples in the traditional style, and the hotel showcases the woodwork the traditional Newari style, including its own small museum of carved artefacts. The carpentry throughout varies from very fine to rather rough and ready, but it feels authentic to the vernacular of ancient Nepal. The hotel is spread across several buildings at different levels surrounding garden enclosures, and includes a swimming pool. The view looks over Kathmandu city from a high vantage point. It’s on the outskirts of the built-up region of Kathmandu and Patan, and mostly free of traffic and barking dogs. The room was nicely appointed. The commodious breakfast plate included both a continental array – juice, coffee, fruit salad, porridge with honey, plus toast, butter & jam & a combined full English breakfast - omelette, sausages, baked beans, fried tomato & salad. The coffee is fine. The lunch/supper options have very reasonable prices. The service was exemplary – kind and courteous! Worth visiting: To escape the hubbub, Godawari Botanical Gardens is definitely worth a visit - feels very natural with families dancing on the lawns to Nepalese folk music and children splashing in the streams. 20min taxi drive – recommend the Pathao app to book cars or bikes at a cheaper rate. Sirupate Trout Farm Restaurant, 15mins drive. The trout is fresh straight from the farm water troughs beside the restaurant – Cost 1800NR per kg ($13 or £10). 1/2kg was big enough for 2. Don't confuse venue with 'Village Trout Farm' situated 200m before Sirupate's location.

The room was situated in a lower block down a lot of steps, so it’s a bit of a trek to the restaurant/breakfast room, but the staff carried all my bags to the room, so it wasn't a problem. I only mention it because the elderly might want to request a room nearer the main reception building. The view from the room overlooked a neighbour’s building site - not idyllic. There wasn’t much work going on with the building, so it wasn’t a noise intrusion. The flight paths of planes coming in and leaving Kathmandu airport pass in front of the hotel at a distance and closer by to the side. The noise is evident, but not obtrusive. My first view out the window was of a plane passing across the setting sun just above the distant mountain skyline, so actually quite a mesmerising moment!