25 Years of Exceptional Experiences

Club Himalaya by ACE Hotels, Celebrates 25 Years of Exceptional Experiences

Batase Dandha, the barren Windy Hills of Nagarkot, was where the flower generation (so-called Hippies) pitched their tents, smoked wild-grown hashish, sang, and danced the whole night, waiting for the sunrise in the 60s and 70s. While the high-end tourists staying at The Royal Hotel, Soaltee or Annapurna woke up at 3:00 AM, drove for an hour and half over the rocky roads with elite breakfast boxes to reach this secluded Batase Dadha before 5:00 AM to catch a glimpse of those magical first rays on the Himalayan range. At dawn, magic happens: the white snow peaks of Annapurna in the North West to Everest in the East, all turn to a golden persimmon hue. Had there only been some accommodation on this barren and chilly hillock, this experience would have been so much more comfortable.

Hence the journey began in the late 80s to purchase the Batase Dandha to give tourists “Comfort Above The Clouds”. But the Nepalese Army (NA) had plans to expand its guerrilla warfare training and shooting range from the Batase Dandha to Mahankal Dandha (where the present cluster of hotels stands). It took quite a task to convince the then Royal rulers to leave Nagarkot for the much-needed “tourist dollar”. Thanks to the NA and Nepalese government for trusting Shree Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah, President of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Mr. Stanley KC Wong, an investor from Hong Kong and Mr. Yogendra Sakya, the then President of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), all promoters of the Nepal-Hong Kong Joint Venture Project that would result in Club Himalaya, Nagarkot. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today, the Club Himalaya by ACE Hotels rests on a lush green Batase Dandha and has become the pride of Nagarkot, earning local and international recognition. It was inaugurated 25 years ago on the auspicious day of Buddha Jayanti, 14th May 1996 (inaugurated by the late Chakra Bastola, then Minister of Tourism). Featured as a “hot spot of the world” in the Times Magazine in 2001, today it stands proud celebrating its silver jubilee and 25 years of exceptional experiences for all guests.

7,200 feet above sea level and only 32 kilometers away from Kathmandu, the Club Himalaya by ACE Hotels is committed to perfecting the experience of its guests and leaving a lifelong imprint in their hearts with its warm, welcoming ambiance and the highest standards of hospitality. The resort caters to a wide range of guests. For high altitude adventurers, it is a place to acclimatize; for philosophers, a place to muse in the susurrus under the pine trees; for honeymooners, a romantic getaway with luxury and nature and for business travelers, a comfortable and convenient venue for work-related decisions. The resort is an oasis to relax your mind and body, get in touch with nature, experience Nepali hospitality, and escape the hectic demands of city life, with the comfort of a superb resort in a magnificent natural setting. What guests ultimately love about the resort and keeps them returning even after all these years, is its warm, cozy ambiance and the majestic views from the privacy of their private balcony.

The facilities include the first and only indoor heated pool (in Nagarkot), jacuzzi, traditional fireplace for the windy evenings, large dining room with vaulted ceilings, multiple conference halls and venues to host bespoke meetings and events. Each of its 68 rooms in three categories - standard, deluxe, and deluxe premium - opens to a private balcony, where one can view the most breathtaking sunrise and glorious Himalayas.

Recognized year after year by TripAdvisor with the Travelers’ Choice award and ranking in the top 10% of the hospitality businesses around the globe, the resort has ranked amongst the best because of its unparalleled views, cozy ambiance, unique architecture, and above all, the friendly staff who go above and beyond to make one’s stay memorable.

Safety standards at Club Himalaya have always been of the highest priority. It has always adhered to the industry’s best health and safety practices. With the current pandemic, the resort has further enhanced these procedures to match the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) guidelines.

The resort is as committed to creating a true “Comfort Above The Clouds” experience, keeping its guests at the center of every endeavor, just as during its initiation 25 years ago. In the coming days, the resort plans to continue updating its existing facilities, adding luxury villas and rooms to keep with the changing landscape of tourism and hospitality.

Club Himalaya is a part of The ACE Hotels, a home-grown, local hospitality brand with world-class standards and over 40 years of experience. Over the last four decades, the group has expanded and evolved into a trusted brand known for providing guests with comfortable accommodations, exceptional service, and incredible value.