DELHI:
Visit Nepal 2020 is designed to be a major landmark for the tourism centric Himalayan country, and if the number of hotels coming up are any indication, it is well on target to attract new visitors to the country.
The latest hotel to open is Kathmandu Marriott Hotel, located in the city’s historic quarters, a stone’s throw from the erstwhile royal residence Narayanhiti Palace. The hotel marks the debut of the flagship brand in Nepal, even as the group expects to have about five hotels in the city soon.
“Tourism in Nepal is reviving and opening of the hotel is coming at the right time,” says Jean-Louis Ripoche, General Manager, Kathmandu Marriott Hotel. Ripoche, who was last posted at the W and Sheraton, Maldives, says of late the country has seen its economy revive and tourism pick up.
According to Neeraj Govil, Area Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International, Nepal welcomed one million tourist arrivals in 2018, reaching a new record. “It shows that this country has great tourism potential,” he said.
Set for new era
Ripoche says hotel’s prime location and modern build will attract a new set of clients. “The Kathmandu Marriott Hotel is thoughtfully designed to ensure a brilliant stay,” he says. “We look forward to delivering unparalleled guest experiences backed by comfort and great service through best in class facilities and amenities for both international and local guests.”
The 214-room hotel has been ambitiously built, to reflect the brand’s premium elegance and intuitive technology. Ripoche points out the use of latest technology in the hotel, which he says will be a major draw for local visitors as a lot of the city’s top end hotels have aged quite a bit.
Among the changes incorporated as part of Marriott’s Modern design include the traditional desk being replaced by flexible surfaces enabling space for work and relaxation. Meanwhile, a soft seating nesting nook allows guests to look out onto verdant greenery and the majestic Himalayan mountain ranges that lend an impressive sense of place.
What to expect
A sleek, modern, glass fronted tower hotel on its exterior, its interiors incorporate multiple touchpoints of local culture. A 500-kilogram Nepalese praying bell hangs from the lobby ceiling while local paintings and crafts adorn the walls. The patterned carpets mimic the detailed weaving seen in the Dhaka Topi, a brimless cap that is part of the traditional Nepalese national dress. Multiple wall hangings bring out the rich local weaving traditions while reflections of nearby Thamel, the city’s most colourful section, find ample reflection, lighting up the hotel’s interiors.
“Our four distinctive dining venues, offering sumptuous local and international cuisines, promise to raise the bar within the Kathmandu culinary scene,” points out Ripoche. Guests can choose from a multitude of dining experiences including the all-day dining restaurant, Thamel Kitchen, that showcases an interactive live-cooking kitchen serving local and international. Edamame is a pan-Asian specialty restaurant offering Thai, Japanese and Chinese cuisine, featuring a Yakitori station. Raksi is a music bar offering hand crafted cocktails with local ingredients and will host live jazz music sessions. The Marriott signature is present here as KBC – Kathmandu Baking Company, an in-house patisserie serving delectable sweets and baked goods paired with freshly made espresso and coffee-based drinks. The M Club boasts panoramic views of the majestic Himalayan Mountains, making it an ideal venue to enjoy breakfast and refreshments 24-hours a day.
Ripoche is especially confident of the potential of MICE and weddings market, especially from India.
The hotel has 740 square metres of banquet space, one of the largest meeting spaces in the city with the latest technology for seamless conferencing and meetings.
The hotel also offers M-Wellness, which includes an invigorating space consisting of four treatment rooms, with a choice of Ayurvedic signature treatments and modern therapies that help unwind and revitalize the body and mind. The hotel will also feature an outdoor swimming pool and a fully-equipped fitness centre.
MN Bureau
