Kathie

Yes, Dwarika's is in the same area. We chose the Hyatt because it has soft western-type beds, while Dwarika's has the more traditional harder beds found in many places in Asia. I have joint problems and wanted to be able to walk a lot. I feared that sleeping on those hard beds would mean I'd be in pain the whole time I was there. We did go by Dwarika's and it looked interesting from the outside, but didn't have time to go in. The Hyatt (especially in the Regency Club) has a lot of Nepalese style - it isn't your typical western hotel. Dwarika's is farther away from Boudnath - it's a nice stroll from the Hyatt to the stupa (and it's well worth visiting at different times of the day).

LancasterLad

I hope there's a walking route from the Hyatt to the Stupa that avoids the main road in Boudhanath.

If there isn't then you'll need a face-mask. No street lights after dark either, so you'll need a torch.

We stayed in an excellent guesthouse for a couple of nights in Boudhanath called the Shechen guesthouse. It's attached to the monastery of the same name. It was beautiful, very relaxing, and a favourite place for mature westerners who're either embarking or returning from spiritual retreats.

Paid 1,600 rupees (US$16) for an ensuite double with excellent breakfast. Gorgeous gardens, and garden restaurant. Only 5 minutes walk from the Stupa along traffic-free lanes...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_R...al_Region.html

The Stupa is at it's best at dawn and dusk, but it's a great place at anytime. Unmissable, an excellent and atmospheric area to stay, feels a million miles from the mayhem outside

Kathie

Yes, there is a walking route from the Hyatt that avoids the main road, out the Hyatt's back gate and enters the stupa from behind.

cmstraf

OK, I know this is an ignorant question....but are you two talking about the Same stupa? LL, thank you for the link. It looks beautiful. Your posts are making me remember that we want to make much of our trip not too separated from the people of the Nepalese and Bhutanese cultures. However, we will probably do two splurges, one after trekking in Bhutan (Hunaman, I loved Uma Paro, but I'm reading closer to 1,000 a night than 400, which is way out of our range. Makes me wish I were Thai) and one in Kathmandu, in large part because of your comments. On the other hand, $16 would make the Everest flight close to free. Is Boudhanath a neighborhood or a neighboring small city?

Kathie

Boudnath is the name of a stupa as well as the name of the neighborhood of Kathmandu in which it is located.

cmstraf

Thanks.

LancasterLad

Don't miss Swayambhu [Monkey Temple) either.

Same theme, but a completely different experience to Boudhanath, and a must-see. Dawn and dusk are best for the atmosphere, but like Boudhanath anytime is great.

It's due west of Boudhanath, right on the other side of central Kathmandu, just inside of the Ring Road. There's 400+ steep steps if you go in the main way, but if you go in the other way (by the Ring Road) it's a much gentler climb.

We stayed v.close to Swayambhu for our first week in Kathmandu, with a wonderful Hindu family, courtesy of Airbnb...

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/571246?s=s7Fo

A great, cultural experience, and the Daal Bhat they served up for dinner was a real treat!

cmstraf

You know, your previous posts almost talked me out of Kathmandu...but I can see that they may have come from an anger generated by attachment (I mean this in the positive sense, not the Buddhist sense)

Thanks.