1

I have stayed at Bagpackers in Thamel a few times and always really liked it. If they are full they can send you to there other guesthouse on the other side of Thamel, which is a newer guesthouse..

2

I have stayed in the KTM Guesthouse but it's a few years agoo now. More recently I have met froends and eaten there the is not too bad but overpriced with poor service
I think that almost sums up the hotel too; the place is OK but it is overpriced and the service is arrogant (groups booked through an international trekking company, for example, might get better service in the hope of repeat business).

There are much better hotels for the money and much cheaper hotels with more than adequate facilities and standards. Knowing what your budget is will help people to make recommendations. In the meantime consider Hotel Courtyard (upper range), Nepalaya (good value) and the Florid (budget) - all have websites.

Good luck.

scoodly

3

Haven`t heard anything bad about them in a couple years, but you couldn`t hear here for the noise people were making then. I went in 2009 and (fortunately) couldn`t find it.

I stayed at Annapurna Guest House, about 1/2 block outside of Thamel and had a nice stay. Booked it online, they were prompt picking me at the airport, and the lady owner was peeved that I didn`t buy charas from her ;)

4

Overpriced, booked by lots of middle aged and older groups, fancy people, large European groups.......if that fits.....good place for emergency bathroom just up stairs to the left after lobby desk, just a ways down hallway to left, just look like you are going to your room.

Edited by: roger_ray

5

It's OK I guess, but there are plenty of other options all over Thamel that are equal or better value. Personally I'd recommend staying down on Freak street instead - it's close to most things and quite interesting in its present state of post-over-exploitation :)

6

The only reason to stay there is the very nice garden, where you can sit and relax.
Other than that, as said already pretty average, overpriced, lousy service...

7

Good info already posted and I agree – Over Priced and over reliant on it’s past reputation
For a recommendation of a hotel you might like to try - The Hotel Nepalaya, this is on the edge of Thamel and is set well back from the main street so well away from both traffic and bar/restaurant noise. It's a bit more upmarket than the average backpacker haunt, Nice Large well furnished rooms with private bathrooms, 24 hour Hot water (Reliable) Comfortable beds, satellite TV, oscillating fans or AC for an extra charge. Nice roof terrace too.
I stayed here again on my 2012 trip and was completely satisfied and the trekking agent that I use gets be a good discount on their web-prices, but even without this it’s a lot better value than The Kathmandu Guesthouse ;-)

Good Luck and Happy Travels
Rob

8

Stay at Kathmandu Guest House? ....nooooooooooooooooooooooooo

9

It would be my last option,they have the bad habit to overbook and from what I found out they are already overbook for the whole month of November.
There are way better options in Thamel at cheaper rates."Nepalaya "is a good option as well as "florid" or "the Courtyard" which is great a bit upmarket but it is worth it.

10

Over priced,not friendly,good advice roger-ray!..Much better is www.kantipurhotel.com,friendly staff,off street,:cableTV and hot water (at 3pm,solar)...Hotel moonlght too.Both hotels when you show up can get the price down to $12-14/nite.

11

Beatiful garden and nice restaurant, still considered by many "the" place to stay. They have a new wing that I understand is very nice but the older parts of the Hotel are not great. Just not the best value in Thamel where there are many, many, many better options. Shop around before you make your decision.

12

What KTM Guesthouse has is 'point of reference'. it sticks out like a sore thumb and everyone knows where it is. Unfortunately everyone else has beaten me to it, it's overpriced, the staff is indeed arogant, the managers are worse, and the food is rubbish, and it's cheesier than hell. That's saying allot because Thamel itself is cheese on toast, but the guesthouse takes it to another level. Actually, i'm not going to say DON'T stay there, in fact, stay there, even if it's just for a night, have a look and tell us what you think. I'm sure even checking in will be post worthy :)

13

Great post, David_K....I laughed at the 'cheese on toast' line. And like you I use it invariably as my 'point of reference' when giving to directions to just about anywhere in Thamel---"exit the KTM GH driveway, hit the street, turn left/right" etc...

Yes, it does have a nice garden and sitting area in front, and a quiet escape lawn area behind to sit in the sun, as well the emerg bathrooms mentioned in my above post. Also if you still need a CNN or BBC fix they have an always on TV in the main area. But at best those are just reasons to visit, staying there as so many have said just isn't worth it unless it is included in your 'fixed, package tour' as it seems to be for so many.

As an 'institution' it is worth a visit.

BTW, I met two friends there (at their suggestion and my chagrin) for a pot of herbal tea in spring 2011...it was about 200rupess! Thankfully, they paid.....

14

The KGH tends to get a bit of criticism from regular posters on the Nepal section of the LPTT, mainly due to there being other similar, but less well known, hotels that offer comparable accommodation etc at better prices. The clientele at the KGH do seem to be getting older. I have stayed there in 2005, 2008 and 2010, and have been into it many times on my last visit to Nepal (2010-11) as I know one of the staff very well (who is not a manager or owner).

There a number of benefits in staying at the KGH. It is very well known, being a land mark in Thamel, has permanent security at the outside gates (who deter all the pests, beggars, touts etc), has an ATM inside the grounds (so drawing lots of cash is pretty safe there), is probably one of the quieter (or less noisy) places in Thamel, has a very well maintained inner garden (which is a real refuge from all the noise etc of Thamel), has many facilities on the premises. It probably has one of the best electricity supplies for a hotel in that price range in Ktm - I have heard that the owners pulled strings so that they are less affected by "load shedding", ie power cuts, which are a regular feature of Ktm (and which lead to the widespread use of diesel generators, which are noisy).

The old part of the KGH was originally a mini Rana palace, and is well worth looking round, especially the first floor "ballroom" which is now a specialist outlet for jewellery, and similar such things.

I have found the staff (and not just the guy that I know well) generally very good, though as with everywhere there are exceptions. My impression is that it is well run.

It has a wide range of accommodation, though it seems to be moving up market somewhat, especially the new wing (which I have only looked at online).

Even if you stay somewhere else, it is worth popping in to have a look.