Hyatt Regency Kathmandu: It’s A Different World Out There

Hyatt Regency Kathmandu Hotel Review is part of the ANA, Take Me ‘Round the World Trip Report.

Getting There: It costs 300 rupees ($2.50) from the airport. KTM is on the list for Worst Places to Hail a Cab because they will try to tell you every excuse why that price is not ascertainable.

Getting Back: This is a point of contention. I stayed at the Hyatt for three nights. Two in the beginning and one at the end after Chitwan. After the first night, I was supposed to go to Pokhara but the flight was canceled (see Nepal Domestic Flight Misery). The hotel provided a free shuttle to the airport. I paid 300 rupees to come back after that ordeal. The next day the hotel provided a shuttle for free. The third and final time I requested a shuttle to the airport, I was told there was a charge. I got into a small argument about how I did not pay the first two times, and eventually they agreed not to charge me.

Travel Advice

I landed in Nepal with no plan (see Travel Anxiety Sucks: Can It Be Prevented?). All I knew was that I had five nights to do everything including visits to Pokhara and Chitwan. Needing to sort the logistics, I spoke to the concierge at the club lounge who helped me put together a solid itinerary. Originally, I was going to stay here for two nights but switched it to one night based on what I wanted to see and do in Nepal. One night would have been perfect because I did everything I wanted to do in Kathmandu (see Guns & Butter: Kathmandu Travel Guide).

Location

If you plan on staying in KTM for multiple nights and exploring, the hotel’s location is not convenient. It is a hassle to deal with taxis each time you want to come and go. Leaving, the hotel calls a taxi who may or may not agree to your price. If you’re quoted something ridiculous, the hotel will call another taxi. But how many taxis would you want to call before you accept that you will be charged more for staying at the Hyatt?

Hotel Itself

I have stayed at many Hyatt Regency’s. This is by far the nicest. The grounds are ridiculous. Granted it was a rainy day, but the facilities are top-notch. From the pool to the tennis courts to the extensive gardens, this hotel is exquisite.

Room

The first night I used a club access award and was upgraded to a spacious room. The second night, following my flight delay, I received a standard room. While I found happiness in Bhutan, I still find joy in being pampered by material things.

Club Lounge

From 5:30PM-7:30PM, there is a cocktail hour with food. Initially, I wasn’t granted access the second night because I didn’t use a club access award. Like the shuttle, I had to push back and say that if I stayed two nights or ten, I wouldn’t need to use a separate club access award per night. On this point, the hotel agreed.

The food was good but I need to stop eating.

Breakfast

I did stop eating at 7:30PM when they took the food away. 13 hours later I was back at it again. The Hyatt Regency breakfast had a variety of food. My favorite was the gun powder spice mixed with tomato chutney. I substituted the traditional omelet for Nepalese cuisine.

Spa

The only part of the hotel that was not impressive was the spa. After being spoiled by spas in Beirut hotels (see Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand and IC Phoencia vs. Le Vendome ), I was disappointed by this spa. The hot tub was scalding hot and the spa was small.

Overall

This property receives high marks. It is a shiny gem in a city covered by dirt and mud. The service receives mixed reviews. The inconsistency with the shuttle and the nonsense about not having club access could have easily been overlooked without creating tension. On the other hand, the hotel was very helpful piecing together my itinerary through Nepal. For 5,000 points the points price can’t be beat. As a respite from the madness of Kathmandu and as a place to crash while in transit, the Hyatt Regency is the best choice.

Hyatt Regency Kathmandu Hotel Review is part of the ANA, Take Me ‘Round the World Trip Report.