Kathmandu during the religious holiday, Dashain, was the perfect time to visit. Its proximity to the airport and regional attractions make this property a great choice for the long weekend.
Of the three possible Marriott Bonovy properties to choose from, the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel was ideal for the traveler. Its close proximity to the famous Thamel Street, a short 15 minute taxi from the airport, and the fantastic breakfast buffet made this property a great choice for a long weekend.
In this post:
Location, Arrival & Check-In
Upon landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you are greeted by a line of taxis, however, the travelers took the Marriott vehicle for a small upcharge. Only about 15 minutes from the airport, the Marriott can’t be missed as you drive deeper into the city. As you pull into the hotel, you’ll see a small casino attached to the side of the building, ideal for trying to recoup the cost of the trip.
Check in was smooth, but be forewarned that during Dashain, the Japanese restaurant EDAMAME is closed. Upon entering the room, the travelers had a fruit basket with a thank you note waiting in the room. The view was fantastic and looked towards the mountains. Against the window was a cushioned nook, and overall, the room was cozy. The view was an unexpected surprise. The skies were blue and visibility was clear. An afternoon relaxing on the nook overlooking Kathmandu was the prelude before enjoying the city.
Club Lounge and Room Service
The M Lounge at the Marriott in Kathmandu is located on the hotel’s top floor, offering an even better view of the city. While this lounge does not have the same ambiance of The Ritz Carlton Doha or the Sheraton in Hong Kong, it leans more towards the business vibes. It was still a nice break and a great view, and there is never a negative to the free food and drinks offered.
The 24-hour room service had a nice selection of food from the region, as well as western delights. One notable drink was a spiced juice that was fantastic. To be frank, the travelers don’t remember the name of the drink, but below is the photo of it. The spice wasn’t overbearing and it was ordered multiple during the stay – well worth it.
Casino
While not a part of the Marriott family, attached to the side is the entrance to the Deltin Casino. Bring your passport and enjoy a night of low stakes games. Unlike most casinos attached to hotels, this one seems to cater to people that live in the region, so the table minimums are low. It’s quite small and cramped, and we would not recommend booking the hotel just because of the casino. Instead, it was a fun way to cap the evening for about an hour before heading back to the room.
Breakfast Buffet
It wouldn’t be a proper Marriott stay without enjoying the breakfast buffet. The selection was delicious and again had a nice range of Nepalese, South Central Asian, and Western foods. My Marriott stays are like a journey, and the eggs benedicts are my destination—always waiting at the breakfast buffet to finish my trip. This hotel did not disappoint with well cooked eggs and an assortment of breakfast items. Hosted in the Thamel Kitchen on the first floor, this was the ideal end to the trip.
Conclusion
The Marriott Kathmandu was the right choice for this trip. Being able to walk on one street directly to Thamel Street was the main reason for choosing this property, but the short drive from the airport was an added bonus. The staff was excellent and their hospitality superb, especially during this busy holiday week.
While the room itself was fairly standard, the view from the room, as well as the M Lounge, made up for this. The front desk also was extremely helpful in setting up drivers during the stay to take us to the tourist locations. And although the EDAMAME restaurant was closed due to the holiday (not typical of the rest of the year), the local Nepalese food made up for this.
You will not be let down by this hotel during your stay in Nepal.
Rating:
A Room with a (re)view 