About this Stay
In April 2017, I visited Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and stayed at The Dwarika’s Hotel, a luxury five-star hotel. This is a report of my stay.
The hotel features traditional architectural design and offers complimentary Wi-Fi. There are three restaurants on the property, and the level of service is truly first-class. It is also conveniently located in Kathmandu, approximately a seven-minute drive from the airport, making access to tourist attractions very easy.
It was a calm and refined hotel where I was able to enjoy moments of pure relaxation.
I tried Nepalese cuisine for the first time at one of the hotel’s restaurants. The dishes were quite unique and made for a memorable experience. I also had the chance to try two different types of Nepalese beer.
Table of Contents
Hotel Exterior
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Arrival at the Hotel
I walked to the hotel from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. It took about 25 minutes. (Normally, people don’t walk this distance.)
The streets of Kathmandu can be quite chaotic and dirty, but once inside the hotel grounds, everything was beautifully maintained. It was a great relief to step into such a calm and well-kept environment.
Courtyard and Buildings
This photo was taken from the hotel courtyard, looking toward the buildings. You can see a stone pillar with a “D” mark on top, which I believe stands for Dwarika’s Hotel. The guest rooms are located beyond this area. The traditional Nepalese architecture is truly beautiful and impressive.
Swimming Pool
There is also a swimming pool within the hotel grounds.
Pathway
A small pathway inside the hotel grounds where guests can take a leisurely walk. I walked along this path on my way to the restaurant for dinner.
Inside the Hotel
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Front Desk (1st Floor)
The hotel’s front desk and lobby area. The carpets and furnishings are beautifully crafted and truly impressive.
Lobby Seating Area (1st Floor)
A comfortable seating area in the first-floor lobby. It is an elegant and stylish space with a refined, luxurious atmosphere.
Landing on the Second Floor
This is the landing area on the second floor, near the guest rooms and the corridor that leads to another building.
Guest Room
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Upon Entering the Room
The interior of the guest room where I stayed. The furnishings and décor have a Central Asian influence, creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere.
Bathtub
The bathtub.
Bedroom
The bedroom features a large bed, with a Nepalese-style sofa placed toward the back of the room.
View from the Window
The view from the window of my room, overlooking the hotel courtyard and buildings. While the streets outside the hotel were quite chaotic, the interior of the hotel was a peaceful and soothing space, which I truly appreciated.
Dinner (Day 1)
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Restaurant Atmosphere (1)
For dinner, I visited the hotel’s Nepalese restaurant. The table mats, cutlery, and napkins were all carefully set in advance. The Nepalese-style furnishings and décor were truly beautiful.
Restaurant Atmosphere (2)
The neighboring table, photographed while seated.
Table Setting
This was my table for the evening.
Today’s Menu
This was the menu for the evening. My name was printed on the menu in advance.
The course consisted of six dishes, from appetizer to dessert, with detailed explanations provided in both Nepali and English. It was a fascinating experience—I was excited to discover what Nepalese cuisine would be like.
Appetizer (1)
The course began with a platter of appetizers from Nepalese cuisine. These dishes are traditionally served during religious ceremonies.
[Editorial note: This appears to be a selection of foods eaten during Dashain, the largest Hindu festival in Nepal, held around October each year.]
Appetizer (2)
A close-up of the assorted appetizers.
- Top right (dark brown): Dried buffalo meat mixed with spices, oil, and garlic
- Below: A chicken dish and a seasoned boiled egg
- Front (white): Chiura—steamed, flattened, and dried rice, similar in texture to rice crackers
- Top left: Roasted beans similar to peanuts
- Top center: Possibly a pancake-like item
Beer (First Bottle)
I tried a Nepalese beer called GORKHA. It had a mild, easy-to-drink flavor.
Fried Bread Dish
A fried bread dish filled with curry-flavored mashed chickpeas. It seems to be called Puri.
Steamed Dumplings (1)
Nepalese steamed dumplings known as Momo.
- Filling: minced chicken, chopped onion, green onion, and cilantro
- Seasoning: chili, turmeric, garam masala, garlic, and ginger
- Sauce: a spicy tomato-based dipping sauce
Steamed Dumplings (2)
A close-up of the momos.
Beer (Second Bottle)
I also tried another Nepalese beer, EVEREST. It had a crisp, dry taste.
Soup
Mixed vegetable soup.
Nepalese Chicken Curry
The main dish was Nepalese chicken curry, made with a variety of local spices. It was served with spinach, sautéed cauliflower, and green peas.
[Editorial note: In Hindu Nepal, meats commonly eaten include goat, buffalo, and chicken, with chicken considered the most prized delicacy.]
Dessert
Dessert after the meal included:
- • Yogurt with honey and cinnamon
- • Fruit
- • Pudding
Back to the Room
After finishing dinner, I returned to my room.
Breakfast (Day 2)
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Cheese and Cold Cuts Corner
This is the buffet area at the breakfast venue. The breakfast buffet has a Western-style selection, with many items that are easy for international guests to enjoy.
This counter offers cheeses, ham, salami, and other cold cuts.
Fruit Corner
This is the fruit section of the buffet.
- Melon, peach, pear, papaya, and more.
Breakfast Selection (1)
The dishes I selected from the buffet. This photo shows the overall arrangement.
Breakfast Selection (2)
The dishes placed toward the back of the table.
- • Nepalese yogurt
- • Nepalese curry
- • Coffee
Breakfast Selection (3)
The dishes placed at the front of the table.
- • Mushrooms, sausages, papaya, etc.
- • Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, cheese, ham, etc.
Smoothie
I also enjoyed a freshly made smoothie.
Crêpe
A sweet dessert-style crêpe, freshly prepared to order.
Dinner (Day 2)
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Today’s Menu
This is the menu for the Nepalese dinner on the second day. Since I had Nepalese cuisine two days in a row, I was curious to see what different dishes would be served tonight.
Table Setting
The table was beautifully set for dinner.
Appetizer
This is the traditional Nepalese appetizer served during religious ceremonies.
Fried Bread Dish
The same fried bread dish as the previous night was served again. It is filled with mashed chickpeas flavored with curry spices.
Deep-Fried Quail
This was a new dish that was not served the night before: deep-fried quail.
Buckwheat Pancake
A buckwheat pancake, served with carrot and cucumber pickles arranged in a unique and elegant presentation.
Rice Flour Crêpe
Another dish that did not appear the previous night: a rice-flour crêpe filled with chicken.
Nepalese Steamed Dumplings
These are Nepalese steamed dumplings called momo, which I also had the night before. They are one of Nepal’s most famous dishes, along with curry.
Soup
The same mixed vegetable soup as the previous night. It had a strong and distinctive green pea flavor.
Main Dish
The main dish on the second day was a Nepalese curry rice with chicken, broad beans, and potatoes.
Dessert
The dessert was the same as the previous night.
- • Yogurt with honey and cinnamon
- • Fruit
- • Pudding
