Here’s an Exclusive First-Look at This New Luxury Resort in Nepal

The brand-new Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort floats above the mountaintops of Dhulikhel, Nepal. Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia joined the charismatic CEO of the storied Thai hospitality group for its newest property’s opening blessing ceremony, an exclusive preview of the hotel, and to get lost in the clouds.

I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MAKING bucket lists, especially when it comes to travel. For me, it’s almost never a case of Been there, done that. Next please. Instead of checking a place off and moving on, I end up adding to my list of places to go back to. After my first taste of Nepal recently, that is exactly what happened. I am already thinking about seconds. 

One of the reasons for that is where I stayed. I went to Nepal to check out the brand-new Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort in Dhulikhel, located on the eastern edge of the Karthmandu Valley. (I also stopped at its sister property in the city, the Dusit Princess Kathmandu, which opened the same week). Our host for this trip was the group CEO of Dusit International Suphajee Suthumpun, who sees the Dusit Thani brand as an ambassador of what she calls “gracious Thai hospitality”. She was there to attend a traditional puja ceremony to bless the opening. She was also there to ensure that the resort’s staff shared the same attention to the needs of their guests and to check that everything was up and running as it should be.

As a guest of hers, I can only say that she practices what she preaches, showing gentle concern about our comfort and well-being and endless attention to every little detail.

But even if you’re not with the CEO, there are bountiful reasons to add Dhulikhel, Nepal, to your visit-then-visit-again list, prime among them the amazing natural landscape, for which Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort offers you a front row seat. My balcony faced the majestic Himalayas that were revealed as the morning mist lifted. It’s a view of which I guarantee you won’t tire. 

One afternoon, we went for a hike on the ridge of the valley, through a couple of villages and overlooking the town of Dhulikhel itself. From sacred bodhi trees to local craftsmen making kukri (traditional knives in ornate sheaths), the experience of the walk was pure meditative. And while there are some steep paths, this is an ideal way to take in the Himalayas without ropes and cleats.

Some houses along the route keep livestock. The organic farmyard chickens from Dhullikhel are supposed to be far superior to anything you can get in the big city of Kathmandu. Fortunately or unfortunately, we didn’t have time during our hike to knock on a farmhouse door to find out for ourselves. 

When our climb was hampered by a summer rain storm, it helped knowing that my base camp wasn’t going to be a rudimentary bivouac, but a soak in a hot Himalayan salt bath, with mountain views right from the bathtub all in the comfort of my own room. When construction is complete there will be a total of 72 rooms, including 18 private villas, all decorated with elegant woodwork, traditional art and local textiles.

You can (and should) also seek relaxation and restoration in the Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort spa, which is already open. The Devarana Spa is the hotel group’s signature brand, known for its healing therapies based on traditional Thai treatments, on its highly trained therapists and on its fine natural, locally sourced ingredients. Before choosing my treatment, I was given a private consultation to tailor my spa session to my needs. I needed to work out some kinks in my back so I opted for a dry massage with a lot of stretching, sort of an upgraded Thai massage. For a perfect blend of Nepalese and Thai culture, you can opt for a session that includes the penetrating, dulcet tones of Himalayan singing bowls, meant to realign your seven chakras or centers of energy, both physically and spiritually.

Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort is also just a couple of minutes away from Namo Buddha, one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Buddhists in Nepal, the country that is the birthplace of Buddha. The sprawling hilltop monastery, that is also a school, is a place to contemplate, meditate and make merit. Before being blessed in front of a congregation of hundreds of chanting monks and novices, we learned that the form of Buddhism in Nepal  has fewer restrictions than the very traditional Theravada Buddhism more common in Thailand. Women can study and be ordained alongside their male counterparts, and there aren’t the same strict rules regarding diet or mixing with lay people. There are multiple prayer rooms and those striking views, including a clear outlook over our own hotel. 

You won’t want to miss the Thaan, the resort’s signature restaurant. There is an eclectic international menu, but you definitely want to sample the Nepalese food. If you’re willing to brave the spiciness, you can ask for akabaré, also known as dalle khursani, or round chili peppers. If that sounds innocuous, they are also called fireball or murderer chilis. You’ve been warned.

The kitchen staff preserves an assortment of over a dozen delicious chutneys and pickles all in house, made from everything from radishes to jackfruit. They are the perfect foil for the freshly baked parathas, dosas and other breads that are served fresh from the griddle. When word got out that I liked to cook, I got to step behind the counter and make methi paratha (flaky flat breads speckled with fenugreek leaves) myself. 

If you don’t know where to start, order a thali, an elegant platter of a variety of dal, stews, rice and pickles. I’ll be coming back for seconds of that, too. 

Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Nepal is about one hour from Tribhuvan International Airport by highway, but beware that the roads can be bumpy. Enquire about the introductory New Himalayan Getaway package that includes breakfast, an afternoon tea, a massage, a guided tour of Namo Buddha and other exclusive benefits. The grand opening will be held in October. Travelers wishing to break up their journey or just spend time in the city can book at the Dusit Princess Kathmandu for introductory rates starting at USD 125/night.  

Images courtesy of Dusit.

Written By