Hotel Devachan

I first came to Hotel Devachan when I arrived in Nepal, and it turned out to be a really nice, relaxed place. It's peaceful but still close to thamel and the city centre. The rooms and beds are very clean, the meals are varied and tasty, and you can unwind on the balcony or rooftop. The housekeeper and his family are welcoming and trustworthy, and I never worried about my valuables. If you stay longer, you'll get to know them. The 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambunath) is close by, with sunset views and a holy atmosphere, though it's a tourist magnet. Around Devchan, you'll mostly find local people, which made it a good place to relax and get a feel for Nepalease life in the capitol. Have a nice time!

I was travelling solo in Nepal for the first time, and the family at Hotel Devachan made me feel looked after. I stayed three nights and had two experiences that meant a lot. When I had a later flight, they let me check out later and told me to go out, relax, and enjoy the day. I couldn't find the ATM, either, so the owner sent someone along to help me find it and stay with me while I withdrew cash for the trip. Thanks to Mr Cool, Ross, and the whole family for going the extra mile.

Devachan is a short distance from Swayambhunath Temple and the Swayambhu Bus Stand, each just over a quarter mile away. The National Museum and Nara Devi Temple are a little over half a kilometer away, and Tribhuvan International Airport is 8 km away. Couples especially like the location, rating it 8.2 for a two-person trip. The property is also rated as a great value in Kathmandu, with guests getting more for their money than at other places in the city. There's a 24-hour front desk, free on-site parking, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout. Rooms have fans, simple furnishings, a desk, and a sitting area. Some also have a private bathroom and cable TV. Guests can request luggage storage, laundry, or ironing, rent a car, or get help booking sightseeing and travel through the tour desk. The restaurant serves traditional Nepalese food and some Italian dishes. Room service is available throughout the day, so you can eat in bed if you like.

The owner's cooking was good and delicious, though the prices were on the high side, and the owners were helpful. They work out the bill at the end of your stay, so if you're there several days, keep track of what you eat to avoid any dispute at checkout. This felt more like a guesthouse or homestay than a hotel. The house and its facilities are old, and the beds are hard. Only two rooms have their own shower, and those are powered by solar panels, so without sun during the day there's no hot shower in the evening. There's also a shared bathroom and shower downstairs, but the building's old water system means the shower pressure can be low. It's tucked among local residences, and taxi drivers don't know how to get there, so I had to guide them every time I returned. The location is away from the busy main road, with better air, and it felt safe. At night there were stray dogs barking, and in the morning I could hear the local community going about its life. For the price, nearby lodgings could offer better facilities, such as a hot shower in the room.