The Best Boutique Hotels in Pokhara, Nepal

The lakeside Hotel Barahi was established as a humble family-run guesthouse in 1978. It’s reasonably priced and has a large garden, a spa, a bakery and a big pool that’s always welcome in the Pokhara heat. The WiFi is also free, which can’t always be taken for granted at hotels in the city. Rooms come with lawn, lake or Himalayan views. If you love this place and are travelling further around Nepal, check out the Barahi Jungle Lodge in Chitwan.

This is a brand new hotel in a quieter end of the area, towards Damside, just opposite a small lakeside temple and a classic Pokhara photo vantage point with colourful boats in the water. It utilises natural stone extensively, both inside and out, making it one of Pokhara’s most modern and stylish hotels. It’s bright and airy inside, with exposed bricks and unpainted woodwork in neutral colours and stylish aquatic-themed feature walls in the 45 rooms. There are three restaurants/bars on site and a spa if you’re looking to relax.

Although it looks fairly generic from the outside, Hotel Karuna is a brand new establishment (it opened in 2017) with bright and colourful modern rooms. They even have family rooms with bunk beds and toys for the kids. There’s a cafe downstairs that sells organic local coffee and a rooftop garden with those stunning Mount Fishtail views that you’d expect from the more expensive accommodation options in Pokhara. Hotel Karuna, on the other hand, offers a boutique design at very affordable prices.

Temple Tree Resort & Spa is considered one of the finest hotels in Pokhara, the popular lakeside city that is the gateway to the Annapurna Himalayas. The hotel has top-notch service and elegant, comfortable rooms. It’s comprised of individual two-story cottages made from rough, hand-cut stone. Temple Tree Resort is named after the surrounding fragrant frangipani trees, known as temple trees. There are three restaurants and bars on site, with lake and pool views.

‘Atithi’ means guest in Nepali – and guests are bound to have a relaxing stay at this new resort that comes with many modern comforts. It’s located in a quiet corner of the lake called Shanti Patan, a little removed from the bustle of Lakeside but still close enough to walk. There are 51 guest rooms, a restaurant and lounge bar, a swimming pool, a spa, a jacuzzi and a sauna. The furniture in the rooms is tastefully made of rosewood.

While we think the rooms here could be better (especially considering the high price tag), the views from Rupakot Resort are the sort that the phrase ‘million dollar views’ was coined for. Located on a hill above Rupa and Begnas Lakes, 22 kilometres east of Pokhara, Rupakort Resort is a great place to head on a day trip outside of the city. You can order a coffee or lunch and admire the wall of the mighty Himalayan mountains right in front of you from the relaxed dining terrace. These are probably the best views of the Annapurnas that you’ll find, short of trekking within them.