Where they got the Hawaiian name from is anyone’s guess, but the Aloha is calm, friendly and blissfully air-conditioned. Rooms are slightly chintzy, but good value, with TVs and bathrooms, plus fridges in the air-conditioned rooms.
At first glance the Clarion looks a bit dated, but the rooms are comfortable and well appointed, with parquet floors and marble bathrooms. Central air-conditioning is another bonus and there’s a good restaurant with unusual round doors.
In the same area as the Summit Hotel, the oddly named Greenwich Village is peaceful and secluded, though less luxurious than the rates might suggest.
Between Jawlakhel and Durbar Sq, down a sidestreet off the main road, this isn't great, with small rooms, sullen adolescent staff and noise from the neighbouring motorbike repair workshop, but it is a cheap option. Rooms at the back are best.
Expats and NGOs like to keep the Summit secret so that there is room when relatives and friends come to visit. The hotel is built in mock-Newari style, with lots of red brick and carved timber, and the atmosphere is uniquely calm and relaxed.
Patan’s only truly top-end hotel, the Himalaya is the haunt of wealthy businessmen and Nepali wedding parties. Expect lots of marble, concierge service and comfortable, well-appointed rooms that are arranged around a pool.
Southeast of Durbar Sq, across the road from the Mahabouddha Temple, this is a good budget choice, with tidy, cared-for rooms and an internet cafe. Rooms can be dark so aim for a room higher up.
South of Uku Bahal, this comfortable midrange hotel is a spin-off from a metal workshop and the owners have filled it with an outrageous bestiary of statues.
Close to Sundhara Tole, this place is set back from the road behind a statue shop. Rooms are not too exciting but they are functional and cheap.
Another quiet and well-run guesthouse right next to the Mahabuddha Temple, with a range of rooms. The bathrooms are a bit hit-and-miss but the views on the west side are great and a couple of rooms have balconies.
Space and tranquillity are precious commodities in Kathmandu but the Soaltee has acres of both; 11 acres...
Colour-blindness is a definite advantage when faced with the snot-green walls and Day-Glo pink bedspreads of this modern place, but if you can get over the appalling décor it's not all that bad.
Simple but well kept, cheerful and cosy, this is probably the best budget option in Freak St. The attached Diyalo Restaurant is a good place to eat and there are evening movies and a laundry service.
A newish place that’s a lot more modern than the rest of Freak St. Rooms are generally clean, fresh and spacious and have a tiled bathroom, and the upper-floor back rooms come with a private balcony and lots of natural light.
One of Freak St’s long-term survivors, this ramshackle place treads a tightrope between atmospheric and dingy but remains fairly popular.
This is one of the better options in the area.