Janak626

I've been searching these forums for weeks hoping for some glimpse of current experiences. Reviews are all over the place from the Yak and Yedi several years ago to ________. Not to rule out the experience, Dwarika's is a possibility for its glorious reviews. However, short of that we are not looking for a chain or a >$100/night cost. Mother and 23 year old daughter with 3 days in KTM seeking clean,Thamel-proximate lodging with en suite bath and air cond. Beyond that,a pool would be great. Oh, yeah,a bit of atmosphere. ANY Feedback from recent travelers would be most appreciated. We're thinking of KTM Guest House, Hotel Utse, Shanker Hotel and Hotel l'Annapurna. thank you. Jan
PS: recent (within past 12 months) reviews of the YAK and YEDI all pan it for its dowdiness,not really clean rooms and unfriendly staff. What is going on? Itsoundedwonderful in "its day".

Kathie

Here's the problem: in it's day, the Yak an Yeti was THE place to stay in KTM. It was charming and had great staff and a renowned restaurnat (I can still taste that dinner in the Chimney Room from 1994). As you know, Nepal has had its troubles. The Maoist insurgents killed police, imposed "taxes" on trekkers, called for transport "holidays" wherein no vehicles were allowed to pass... While this started many years ago, the conditions in the past few years were such that most governments warned travelers not to go there. And there was the horrible carnage of the Royal Family being killed by the crown prince who then killed himself. Only in the last year or so has the political situation stabilized enough that travelers are again going to Nepal. In the midst of this huge downswing in tourism due to the political situation (in one of the poorest countries of the world), the esteemed Yak and Yeti closed for a time. It has recently re-opened. So, you have reviews from people who stayed there years ago, and a few from people who stayed there in the days before its closure, and not many from recent guests. I believe it reopened in the last 12 months, so I don't know whether the reviews were before the closure or after the reopening.

If it were me, I'd opt for the Yak and Yeti and take my chances. But I've stayed thre before and loved it . Also, I really didn't like Thamel (Yak and Yeti is convenient to Thamel without being in Thamel) and much perferred the area the Yak and Yeti is in.

Janak626

Kathie; thank you for the understanding/explanation. It seems that all hotels are offering prices significantly lower than what is posted. tripadvisor has some very recent up to date reviews. As my daughter is 22 and I have the soul of a 22 year old, Thamel is exactly what we want at least for 2 nights. After hours on the web yesteday, I am thinking of splurging for 1 night at Dwarika's (I know far from Thamel) and then 2 nights in a garden facing room at the Kathmandu GH. Please go to tripadvisor and read recent reviews of Y&Y and let me know what you think. thanks, again for your help. Jan

Kathie

Ok, I just read the tripadvisor reviews (the first 6 in English). The most recent review is really awful, but one just a month earlier is more what I would expect (rated 4/5). Indeed, all of the other 5 reviews on the page were 4/5.

If it were me (and, again, it isn't) I'd stay there but be careful to specify a room in the new wing.

When there is a single really bad review (or a single really good review) it's a bit hard to know what to make of it.

Nakulnp

Hello Janak,

if you are looking for nice,a/c and comfortable hotel then I also like to recommened you the newly built up just near(4minutes away) by KGH call "SAMSARA RESORT" which is 3star catagory and very peaceful and if you like to try on this place then pls let us know we can make you very resonable price like US$ 35/night with double seprate bed with brivate bathrooms and bigger room..
cheers..

kewilliam

Hi Jan..

We will be arriving in KTM this Saturday. My wife and I are also looking for nice hotel near Thamel that costs under $100 per night. Have you found a website to book KTM rooms online?

I went to the Y and Y website and they wanted $185 per night to book directly with them.

Let me know what you've found. Thanks for your help.

Kevin

Janak626

kevin; there are tons of sites for hotel bookings. have you tried tripadvisor? or kayak.com which is a server and gives you several web sites' prices. also, asia-rooms.com

Also, try emailing hotels directly. The prices posted on the web are all much higher than what I found via web. please let me know where you decide to stay and what you think of it/thought of it. I am leaning towards a total splurge night at Dawika's and then 2 nights at either Y&Y or KTM Guest House. Back ups are Hotel Utse or Samsara Resort which I heard about before the above positing (and tripadvisor's sole review is agood one not that that counts for too much ffor all I know he could be the owner. )My MO when traveling is to always ask to see the room before registering. Then, there are no surprises. And, there are plenty of guest rooms in KTM right now.